Blind Date [Chance Meeting] *** (1959, Hardy Kruger, Stanley Baker, Micheline Presle, Robert Flemyng, Gordon Jackson, John Van Eyssen, Jack MacGowran) – Classic Movie Review 5841

Director Joseph Losey’s smart 1959 British murder mystery Blind Date [Chance Meeting], mostly told in flashback, stars Hardy Kruger as Jan Van Rooyer, a young Dutch painter in London who discovers the body of his mistress, Jacqueline Cousteau (Micheline Presle), and is framed for her killing.

When Van Rooyer arrives at Cousteau’s mews flat, the door is open so he goes in, has a drink and puts on music. But half an hour later the police arrive after a phone call from the flat and Jacqueline is found dead in the bedroom.

Blind Date co-stars Robert Flemyng, Gordon Jackson, John Van Eyssen and Jack MacGowran.

It is suspensefully done, with tight direction, and an intelligent script by Ben Barzman and Millard Lampell, based on the novel by Leigh Howard.

All of the acting is strong and solid, but there is a standout performance from Stanley Baker as the dogged, oddball Scotland Yard police Inspector Morgan, who investigates the case.

Christopher Challis shoots in black and white.

Also in the cast are Redmond Phillips, George Roubicek, Lee Montague, Shirley Davien and Christina Lubicz.

Blind Date [Chance Meeting] is directed by Joseph Losey, runs 95 minutes, is made by Sydney Box Associates and Independent Artists, is released by Rank (UK) and Paramount (US), is written by Ben Barzman and Millard Lampell, based on the novel by Leigh Howard, is shot in black and white by Christopher Challis, is produced by Sydney Box, David Deutsch and Luggi Waldleitner, scored by Richard Rodney Bennett and designed by Harry Pottle.

It was shot at Beaconsfield Studios, Buckinghamshire, England, for £138,000, of which £40,000 came from the German producer Luggi Waldleitner and £98,000 from SBA. British producer Sydney Box sold the film to Paramount in the US for twice its cost, earning a profit.

Joseph Losey was blacklisted by Hollywood in the 1950s and moved to the UK. Ben Barzman and Millard Lampell, also blacklisted, were nominated for the BAFTA Award for Best British Screenplay.

As there is no blind date in the story, the US title of Chance Meeting is more appropriate.

The cast are Hardy Krüger as Jan Van Rooyer, Stanley Baker as Inspector Morgan, Micheline Presle as Jacqueline Cousteau (Lady Fenton). John Van Eyssen as Inspector Westover, Gordon Jackson as Police Sergeant, Robert Flemyng as Sir Brian Lewis, Jack MacGowran as Postman, Redmond Phillips as Police Doctor, George Roubicek as Police Constable, Lee Montague as Sergeant Farrow, Shirley Davien and Christina Lubicz.

Hardy Kruger appeared in more than 60 films since 1944.

RIP Hardy Kruger [Franz Eberhard August Krüger] (12 April 1928 – 19 January 2022), who appeared in more than 60 films after 1944 and became an international favourite.

© Derek Winnert 2017 Classic Movie Review 5841

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