Poison Pen (1939 film)

Associated British Picture Corporation

Industry	Film production
Headquarters	Elstree , United Kingdom
Products	Films

Poison Pen is a 1939 British drama film directed by Paul L. Stein, featuring performances by Flora Robson, Reginald Tate, and Ann Todd. The movie adapts the 1937 stage play of the same name authored by Richard Llewellyn.

Play

Authored shortly before his acclaimed novels How Green Was My Valley and None But the Lonely Heart, Llewellyn’s play explores the turmoil caused by a series of anonymous poison-pen letters that disrupt a quiet rural village. Its initial premiere took place in Richmond, near London, on 9 August 1937. A revised version debuted in the West End at the Shaftesbury Theatre on 9 April 1938, subsequently transferring to both the Playhouse and Garrick theatres, where it ran for a total of 176 performances until 10 September. Theatre historian J. C. Trewin characterized the production as "a showy bit of theatre."

Film

The film adaptation was produced by the Associated British Picture Corporation at their facilities in Elstree Studios, premiering in London on 4 July 1939. Leading roles from the stage were retained by Flora Robson and Reginald Tate, although Robson’s character was renamed from Phryne Rainrider to Mary Rider for the screen version. The only other actor to reprise his stage role was Roddy Hughes. Critic and novelist Graham Greene dismissed the film as "a deplorable example of an English film which tries to create an English atmosphere." Conversely, film historian David Quinlan described it as a "slow, sordid but striking dark drama," while Raymond Durgnat regarded it as "a bleak story prefiguring Clouzot's Le Corbeau."

Kenneth Connor, who would later gain fame through Britain's Carry On films, made his cinematic debut portraying a post office boy in this production.

Plot

The tranquility of an English village is disrupted when a series of anonymous letters containing scandalous accusations about local residents and their families begin to circulate. Esteemed members of the community become targets of allegations involving moral failings, sexual improprieties, and criminal acts. Reverend Rider (Tate) and his sister Mary (Robson) attempt to soothe tensions by dismissing these letters as spiteful fabrications, but their reassurances prove ineffective. The vicar’s daughter Ann (Todd) also comes under attack, with obscene claims directed at her fiancé David (Geoffrey Toone).

As the letters persist, the village’s social cohesion deteriorates. Because each letter bears the local postmark, suspicion mounts among neighbors regarding who might be responsible. Some villagers start to believe there may be truth behind the detailed accusations, causing strain within personal relationships.

Attention turns toward Connie Fateley (Catherine Lacey), a withdrawn seamstress whom the community shuns, convinced she is orchestrating the letter-writing campaign. Tragedy ensues when Connie, overwhelmed by despair, takes her own life by hanging herself from the church bellrope.

Reverend Rider condemns his congregation for driving Connie to suicide without proof. While many privately interpret her death as confirmation of guilt and feel relieved, the letters continue appearing. This prompts police involvement and increased surveillance of local mailboxes. David receives letters accusing Ann of infidelity; meanwhile, unstable villager Sam Hurrin (Robert Newton) is targeted with claims that his wife Sucal (Belle Chrystall) is having an affair with shopkeeper Len Griffin (Edward Chapman). In a fit of rage, Hurrin kills Griffin.

Authorities escalate their investigation by monitoring mail closely and requiring anyone posting letters to provide addresses on envelopes. A handwriting expert is enlisted to assist with analysis. Suspicion unexpectedly shifts toward Mary, the vicar’s sister, who conceals a troubled psyche beneath her caring exterior. As pressure mounts, she descends into mental instability before ultimately leaping to her death from a cliff overlooking a quarry.

Cast

• Flora Robson portraying Mary Rider
• Reginald Tate in the role of Reverend Rider
• Ann Todd as Ann Rider
• Robert Newton playing Sam Hurrin
• Belle Chrystall as Sucal Hurrin
• Geoffrey Toone cast as David
• Catherine Lacey in the role of Connie Fateley
• Edward Chapman as Len Griffin
• Edward Rigby portraying Badham
• Cyril Chamberlain in the role of Peter Cashelton
• Athole Stewart as Colonel Cashelton

• Mary Hinton playing Mrs Cashelton
• Wally Patch as Mr Suggs
• Ella Retford cast as Mrs Suggs
• Wilfrid Hyde-White in the role of the postman
• Esma Cannon portraying Mrs Warren
• Marjorie Rhodes as Mrs Scaife
• Beatrice Varley in the role of Mrs Jenkins
• Roddy Hughes playing the graphologist
• Kenneth Connor as post office boy
• Megs Jenkins cast as barmaid
• Roddy McDowall appearing uncredited as choirboy