Home at Seven (film)

Home at Seven

Company type	Film
Industry	Film industry
Founded	1952
Founder	Ralph Richardson (director and lead actor), Anatole de Grunwald (screenwriter)
Headquarters	United Kingdom
Products	Mystery drama film

Home at Seven (also known as Murder On Monday) is a 1952 British mystery drama featuring direction and lead performance by Ralph Richardson, supported by Margaret Leighton and Jack Hawkins. The screenplay, penned by Anatole de Grunwald, adapts the 1950 play Home at Seven authored by R. C. Sherriff. This production represents Richardson's only venture into directing. Guy Hamilton worked as the assistant director.

Plot

David Preston, a banker based in the City of London, returns to his home in Kent at 7pm on a Tuesday, only to discover he has been absent for an entire day with no recollection of that time. He soon finds out he was observed at his social club, where he holds the position of treasurer, withdrawing £515 from the safe. That evening, the witness named Robinson is found dead.

During police interrogation, Preston fabricates an alibi, asserting he spent Monday evening with friends; however, the individual he names is away on vacation. As his memories slowly resurface, he recalls burying the money and trailing Robinson. Following legal advice to be truthful and retain expensive representation, Preston becomes the chief suspect in both theft and homicide but remains unsure about his actual involvement.

Authorities seize his Monday clothing for forensic examination. Preston’s wife discloses financial difficulties linked to his father’s embezzlement, which Preston has committed to repaying. The club president confirms Preston has been heavily borrowing funds.

A barmaid reveals that Preston habitually spends the hour between 5pm and 6pm at her pub daily. On Monday, after hearing a loud noise that triggered a wartime flashback, he entered a hotel room where he stayed asleep throughout the night and following day, still under the impression that the war had not ended. At 5pm on Tuesday, he emerged from this state and returned home. Later, police inform Preston that Robinson and another individual were responsible for both the robbery and murder.

Cast

• Ralph Richardson as David Preston
• Margaret Leighton as Janet Preston
• Jack Hawkins as Dr Sparling
• Campbell Singer as Inspector Hemingway
• Michael Shepley as Major Watson
• Margaret Withers as Mrs Watson
• Meriel Forbes as Peggy Dobson
• Frederick Piper as Petherbridge
• Gerald Case as Sergeant Evans
• Diana Beaumont as Ellen
• Archie Duncan as station sergeant
• Victor Hagan as police photographer
• Robert Moore as fingerprint man
• Johnnie Schofield as Joe Dobson, landlord of the Feathers

Production

According to Sidney Gilliat, Alexander Korda directed the movie and described Home at Seven as "a very bad play which Alex made a very bad picture out of," although Korda himself credited Ralph Richardson with directing duties.

The film was shot at Shepperton Studios, featuring set designs by art directors Vincent Korda and Frederick Pusey.

Critical reception

Variety commended Richardson’s direction for its clear and competent execution.

In contrast, Sight & Sound criticized Richardson’s combined role as actor-director, describing his direction as "virtually non-existent in any cinematic sense."

Leslie Halliwell characterized the film as an "intriguing suburban mystery," well performed but lacking vitality in its transition from stage to screen, with an unsatisfactory resolution.

In British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959, critic David Quinlan assigned it an "average" rating, noting its swift and low-budget production and marking it as Richardson’s sole directorial project.

The Radio Times Guide to Films gave it 3 out of 5 stars, recognizing Richardson’s capable direction and acting while pointing out the film’s theatrical feel and overly stylized supporting performances.

Releases

Network Distributing issued the film on DVD in the United Kingdom on 30 June 2014.