Caravan *** (1946, Stewart Granger, Jean Kent, Anne Crawford, Robert Helpmann, Dennis Price) – Classic Movie Review 6969

Stewart Granger stars in director Arthur Crabtree’s dashing, lurid, wildly over-the-top 1946 Gainsborough Pictures British black and white melodrama as Richard Darrell, a brave but penniless English writer sent by Don Carlos (Gerard Heinz) to take a valuable necklace to Spain in the 1840s. Once there he is pursued by an assassin, Wycroft (Robert Helpmann), who has been hired by Sir Francis Castleton (Dennis Price), his wicked rival for the hand of his fiancé, the lovely Oriana (Anne Crawford).

Darrell is assaulted, robbed and nearly killed by Wycroft but survives, is put back on to the road to health by sensuous gypsy dancer Rosal (Jean Kent) and, having lost his memory, marries her, but returns to find Oriana, who, thinking him dead, is now married to the sadist, Sir Francis.

Crabtree’s movie is a fast and furious Gainsborough studios Forties escapist production, with a nice cast, heaps of lusty action, high drama and bright moments – and, above all, the courage of its convictions. Roland Pertwee’s screenplay is based on the novel by Eleanor Smith.

Also in the cast are Enid Stamp-Taylor, David Horne, John Salew, Arthur Goullet, Julian Somers, Peter [Pete] Murray, Gypsy Petulengro, Sylvia St Clair, Henry Morrell, Patricia Laffan, Victoria Campbell, Mabel Constanduros, Josef Ramart and Erin De Selfa.

Caravan is directed by Arthur Crabtree, runs 122 minutes, is made by Gainsborough Pictures, is released by General Film Distributors (UK) and Eagle-Lion, is written by Roland Pertwee, is shot in black and white by Stephen Dade and Cyril J Knowles (location photography), is produced by Maurice Ostrer and Harold Huth, is scored by Bretton Byrd and Walford Hyden, and is designed by John Bryan.

It is partly shot on location in North Wales.

The typically candid and dismissive Granger later called the movie ‘terrible’.

It was the sixth most successful film at the British box office in 1946 after The Wicked Lady, The Bells of St Mary’s, Piccadilly Incident, The Captive Heart and The Road to Utopia. Yes, 1946 was indeed an exceptional, vintage year.

Caravan was rushed into production when shooting on The Magic Bow was postponed because of the illness of star Phyllis Calvert.

Jean Kent met her future husband on the set of Caravan during the making of the movie. Kent was married to Austrian actor Josef Ramart from 1946 until his death in 1989, aged 70. Granger was the best man at their wedding. The couple appeared together in Caravan and Trottie True.

© Derek Winnert 2018 Classic Movie Review 6969

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