Four Sided Triangle *** (1953, Barbara Payton, James Hayter, Stephen Murray, John Van Eyssen) – Classic Movie Review 11,143

‘God hath made man upright, but they have sought out many inventions – Ecclesiates.’

Writer-director Terence Fisher’s 1953 Four Sided Triangle is a daft but fascinating Hammer Films black and white clone fantasy film about two young scientists Bill and Robin (Stephen Murray, John Van Eyssen) developing a ‘reproducer’ that can replicate any object. They are helped by their childhood friend Lena (Barbara Payton).

Doctor Bill (Stephen Murray) uses his invented machine to create another similar woman and he successfully replicates his lost love when his girlfriend Lena (Barbara Payton) marries the other scientist Robin (John Van Eyssen). Then of course history repeats itself as the duplicate Helen (Barbara Payton) is such an exact copy that she also loves Robin, and so there is a four sided love triangle.

Four Sided Triangle is of note as Hammer’s first venture into sci-fi. The scientific mumbo jumbo and laboratory paraphernalia are the main part of the film’s appeal. But also the performances are convincing and Fisher’s direction is strong, and the script is quite well conceived too.

A similar kind of plot, based on the novel by William F Temple, had already been used in Fisher’s 1952 Stolen Face, which had an original story by Alexander Paal and Steven Vas. The screenplay is by Terence Fisher, with adaptation by Paul Tabori.

Also in the cast are James Hayter, Percy Marmont, Kynaston Reeves, Glyn Dearman, Sean Barrett, Jennifer Dearman, John Stuart and Edith Saville.

Four Sided Triangle is directed by Terence Fisher, runs 81 minutes, is made by Hammer Films, is released by Exclusive Films (1953) (UK) and Astor Pictures Corporation (1953) (US), is written by Paul Tabori and Terence Fisher, based on the novel by William F Temple, is shot in black and white by Reg Wyer, is produced by Michael Carreras and Alexander Paal, is scored by Malcolm Arnold, and is designed by J Elder Wills.

Fisher is also the director of Frankenstein Created Woman (1967).

Here is the full film:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmbgBlhaxV8

© Derek Winnert 2021 Classic Movie Review 11,143

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