Home Before Dark *** (1958, Jean Simmons, Dan O’Herlihy, Rhonda Fleming, Efrem Zimbalist Jr) – Classic Movie Review 10,571

Rhonda Fleming called Mervyn LeRoy’s 1958 drama film Home Before Dark her favourite role, saying: ‘It was a marvellous stretch’. Jean Simmons, Dan O’Herlihy and Efrem Zimbalist Jr also star. It is written by Eileen and Robert Bassing, based on the 1957 novel by Eileen Bassing.

Repressed husband Professor Arnold Bronn (Dan O’Herlihy) brings his rich, neglected wife Charlotte Bronn (Jean Simmons) back from the Maraneck State Hospital mental institution in New England, but her delusions (or are they?) begin all over again, otherwise there wouldn’t be a film. Charlotte believed that Arnold was getting too close to her step-sister, Joan Carlisle (Rhonda Fleming). They all live together with Joan’s mother, scatter-brained chatterer Inez (Mabel Albertson, and have a boarder, Dr Jake Diamond (Efrem Zimbalist Jr).

Simmons does remarkably well in a powerful, complex performance as a mental patient, but the handling of the material is muddled, not knowing whether to go for classy drama or hokey, glossy melodrama. LeRoy wants to smooth out all the screenplay’s rough edges, which is taking the wrong turning.

Cardboard hero Jake Diamond (Efrem Zimbalist Jr) doesn’t help much as the Jewish lover who, Arnold says, is experiencing anti-Semitism at the college where they both teach, and, it turns out, could ride to the rescue of Charlotte.

But, with the fascinating material and the three strong star performances, Home Before Dark is underrated, nevertheless, and worthy of re-evaluation.

The harsh winter on the location shoot in Marblehead, Massachusetts, was a problem. Equipment had to be de-iced often, and Fleming had to take frequent breaks as her tongue was freezing.

Also in the cast are Mabel Albertson, Steve Dunne, Joan Weldon, Joanna Barnes, Kathryn Card, Marjorie Bennett, Johnstone White, and Eleanor Audley.

The title song is written by Sammy Cahn, with music by Jimmy McHugh.

Home Before Dark was nominated for three Golden Globes – Jean Simmons for Best Actress (drama), Best Picture (drama), and Zimbalist for Best Supporting Actor – but there were no wins.

© Derek Winnert 2020 Classic Movie Review 10,571

Check out more reviews on http://derekwinnert.com