Laughter in the Dark *** (1969, Nicol Williamson, Anna Karina, Jean-Claude Drouot) – Classic Movie Review 8558

Vladimir Nabokov’s novel of suspense and cruelty makes an intriguing entry in the British film noir stakes for director Tony Richardson in his 1969 thriller Laughter in the Dark.

Writer Edward Bond turns the original’s 1930s German setting into Swinging Sixties London to try to please audiences of the day – though it failed to do so because it is too arty and alienating for popular success.

Nicol Williamson powers his way through as the rich married middle-aged art dealer Sir Edward More, who joins the cheap and alluring 16-year-old Margot (Anna Karina) and begins an affair. When he is blinded in a car crash, she invites her lover Herve Tourace (Jean-Claude Drouot) to stay and he silently taunts Sir Edward (Williamson), who finds out and decides on revenge.

Laughter in the Dark is cold and nasty – though that is the point – and quite compelling.

The story is a companion piece to Nabokov’s Lolita, with similar main characters and situations.

Also in the cast are Sheila Burrell, Siân Phillips, Sebastian Breaks, Kate O’Toole, Peter Bowles, Sebastian Breaks, Edward Gardner, Willoughby Goddard, Basil Dignam, Philippa Urquhart and Helen Booth.

Laughter in the Dark is directed by Tony Richardson, runs 104 minutes, is made by Les Films Marceau, Wincast Film Productions and Woodfall Film Productions, is released by United Artists, is written by Edward Bond, is shot by Dick Bush, is produced by Neil Harley and Elliott Kastner, is scored by Raymond Leppard and is designed by Julia Oman.

Sir Edward entering the Curzon Cinema in London, but the interior is the National Film Theatre.

The movie began filming with Richard Burton starring. Burton was filming for two weeks when Richardson confronted him over his poor attitude, repeatedly failing to turn up when called and being constantly late on set. They rowed and Richardson fired Burton. In a press release, Woodfall Film Productions said it was ‘for being unpunctual and unprofessional’.

Ten years earlier, Burton and Richardson previously made Look Back in Anger together.

© Derek Winnert 2019 Classic Movie Review 8558

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