The Gypsy and the Gentleman
The Gypsy and the Gentleman is a 1958 British costume drama film directed by Joseph Losey. It stars Melina Mercouri and Keith Michell.[1][2]
| The Gypsy and the Gentleman | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Joseph Losey |
| Produced by | Maurice Cowan |
| Screenplay by | Janet Green |
| Based on | novel Darkness I Leave You by Nina Warner Hooks |
| Starring | Melina Mercouri Keith Michell Flora Robson |
| Music by | Hans May |
| Cinematography | Jack Hildyard |
| Edited by | Reginald Beck |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Rank Film Distributors |
Release date |
|
Running time | 103 min. |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
Plot
The beautiful and fiery gypsy Belle (Melina Mercouri) marries Regency playboy Sir Paul Deverill (Keith Michell) for his money. Unbeknownst to her he has squandered his fortune and is desperately in debt. When Deverill's sister Sarah (June Laverick) inherits a fortune, the couple's frustrated plots to steal it from her lead to their eventual demise.
Cast
- Melina Mercouri as Belle
- Keith Michell as Sir Paul Deverill
- Flora Robson as Mrs. Haggard
- Patrick McGoohan as Jess
- June Laverick as Sarah Deverill
- Lyndon Brook as John Patterson
- Helen Haye as Lady Caroline Ayrton
- Mervyn Johns as Brook
- Laurence Naismith as Dr. Forrester
- Clare Austin as Vanessa Ruddock
- Catherine Feller as Hattie
- Nigel Green as Game Pup
- Newton Blick as Ruddock
- David Hart as Will the Valet
- John Salew as Duffin the Butler
- Louis Aquilina as Coco.
Production
The male lead was meant to be played by Michael Craig who went to meet with Losey and felt the directed "treated me like an idiot." Craig refused to play the role, and was replaced by Keith Michell.[3]
Critical reception
Derek Winnert wrote, "The movie is hardly director Losey’s usual cup of tea, but he tries to get some bite into the gold-digger themes and the 18th century rural England period setting. And the whirlwind Mercouri acts up a storm, certainly ringing that Belle loud and clear."[4]
References
- "The Gypsy and the Gentleman (1958) - Joseph Losey - Synopsis, Characteristics, Moods, Themes and Related - AllMovie". AllMovie.
- "The Gypsy and the Gentleman (1958)".
- Craig, Michael (2005). The Smallest Giant: An Actor's Life. Allen and Unwin. p. 78.
- "The Gypsy and the Gentlemen *** (1958, Melina Mercouri, Keith Michell, Flora Robson, Patrick McGoohan, June Laverick, Helen Haye, Lyndon Brook) – Classic Movie Review 5848 - Derek Winnert". www.derekwinnert.com.