Rita Hayworth, Burt Lancaster, Deborah Kerr, Separate Tables 12:15 a.m. Eastern TCM

Oznell · ‎11-08-2014

12:15 a.m. Eastern-- "Separate Tables"-- Whew, too many good movies tonight!

This started out as one of those marvelous English "problem plays" in the Fifties. Wendy Hiller manages a genteel residential hotel in the English countryside, that is popping with all kinds of explosive secrets, hidden attractions, and intense personalities.

Deborah Kerr is a timid soul terrorized by her tyrannical mother, Gladys Cooper. Military guy David Niven is gentle and kind with her, but has his own dark demons. Spectacularly attractive Burt Lancaster is privately engaged to low-key Wendy Hiller, but then his ex, the beautiful and mysterious and taunting Rita Hayworth shows up, and he's suddenly "confused" and tormented....

Very compelling and fun. There's a lot of loose threads needing "tying up" in this one.

cimeranrose · ‎03-10-2010

I haven't seen this movie - too bad it's on so late. Thanks for the description @Oznell, it sounds like one I'd like. I'll have to be on the lookout for it at a future date when it's not on so late.

Gladys Cooper was such a great character actress. When you stop and think of it, England gave us many great actors/actresses over the years: Cary Grant, Deborah Kerr, Gladys Cooper, David Niven, Greer Garson, Victor McLaglen, Robert Donat, etc.

Oznell · ‎11-08-2014

That's so true, @cimeranrose. Even up to the present day, it's often the British performers I gravitate to, and find the most compelling.

Including my current favorite "contemporary" actor, Daniel Day-Lewis. Boy, I sure hope he re-thinks his retirement from acting plan...

sunshine 919 · ‎12-22-2013

@Oznellwrote:
12:15 a.m. Eastern-- "Separate Tables"-- Whew, too many good movies tonight!

This started out as one of those marvelous English "problem plays" in the Fifties. Wendy Hiller manages a genteel residential hotel in the English countryside, that is popping with all kinds of explosive secrets, hidden attractions, and intense personalities.

Deborah Kerr is a timid soul terrorized by her tyrannical mother, Gladys Cooper. Military guy David Niven is gentle and kind with her, but has his own dark demons. Spectacularly attractive Burt Lancaster is privately engaged to low-key Wendy Hiller, but then his ex, the beautiful and mysterious and taunting Rita Hayworth shows up, and he's suddenly "confused" and tormented....

Very compelling and fun. There's a lot of loose threads needing "tying up" in this one.

Deborah Kerr is reallly good in this one.