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The Ware Case is a 1938 British drama film directed by Robert Stevenson and starring Clive Brook, Jane Baxter and Barry K. Barnes.[1] It is an adaptation of the play The Ware Case (1915) by George Pleydell Bancroft,[2] which had previously been made into two silent films, in 1917 and 1928.[3] It had been a celebrated stage vehicle for Sir Gerald Du Maurier.[4] The film was made at Ealing Studios with Stately home exteriors shot in the grounds of Pinewood.[4] Oscar Friedrich Werndorff worked as set designer.[5]

The Ware Case
British poster
Directed by	Robert Stevenson
Written by	G.P. Bancroft (play) E.V.H. Emmett Roland Pertwee Robert Stevenson
Produced by	Michael Balcon
Starring	Clive Brook Jane Baxter Barry K. Barnes Francis L. Sullivan
Cinematography	Ronald Neame
Edited by	Charles Saunders
Music by	Ernest Irving
Production company	Ealing Studios
Distributed by	ABFD (UK) 20th Century Fox (US)
Release dates	2 December 1938 (United Kingdom) 21 July 1939 (United States)
Running time	79 minutes
Country	United Kingdom
Language	English

In Forever Ealing, George Perry wrote, "The Ware Case is a stagey, melodramatic piece. But it was made on schedule within its budget, and was thus able to go into profit."[3]

Plot

The jury looks back on events that lead to profligate baronet Sir Hubert Ware being tried for murder. His brother-in-law's corpse has been found floating in Sir Hubert's garden pond. The baronet is eventually found not guilty, but upon returning home, finds his lawyer is having an affair with his wife. In the ensuing argument, and on discovering his wife loves another man, Sir Hubert confesses his guilt and then makes a suicidal leap from a balcony.

Cast

• Clive Brook as Sir Hubert Ware
• Jane Baxter as Lady Meg Ware
• Barry K. Barnes as Michael Adye
• C. V. France as Judge
• Francis L. Sullivan as Attorney
• Frank Cellier as Skinner - the Jeweler
• Edward Rigby as Tommy Bold
• Peter Bull as Eustace Ede
• Dorothy Seacombe as Mrs. Slade
• Athene Seyler as Mrs Pinto
• Elliott Mason as Mrs. Smith - Impatient Juror
• John Laurie as Henson - the Gamekeeper
• Wally Patch as Taxi Driver
• Glen Alyn as Clare
• Ernest Thesiger as Carter
• Wallace Evennett as Munnings - the Tailor
• J.R. Lockwood as Denny - the Butler
• Peggy Novak as Lucy - the Parlourmaid
• Alf Goddard as Court Attendant
• Charles Paton as Foreman of the Jury

Critical reception

The New York Times reviewer commented that "you may find some enjoyment in the film. But this reporter found Sir Hubert such an insufferable snob—even though he was played with velvet grace by Clive Brook—and the turning out of the pseudo-mystery story such a chunk of maudlin claptrap that it stirs him to nothing more fervid than a thoroughly indifferent "So what?" And this in spite of the fact that a very good cast does its best".[6] According to TV Guide it is a "strong, tense drama with convincing motivations".[7]

References

Bibliography

• Low, Rachael. Filmmaking in 1930s Britain. George Allen & Unwin, 1985.
• Perry, George. Forever Ealing. Pavilion Books, 1994.
• Wood, Linda. British Films, 1927-1939. British Film Institute, 1986.

External links

• The Ware Case at IMDb

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