The Skin Game (1931 film)
| Industry | Film production |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | United Kingdom |
| Products | Films |
The Skin Game is a 1931 British drama directed by Alfred Hitchcock, adapted from John Galsworthy's 1920 stage play and produced by British International Pictures. The film explores the conflict between two families: the long-established Hillcrists and the newly wealthy Hornblowers, emphasizing themes of social class tension and avarice.
Both Edmund Gwenn and Helen Haye reprised their roles as Mr. Hornblower and Mrs. Hillcrist, respectively, from the 1921 silent film version.
Plot
The narrative portrays the ongoing dispute between the aristocratic Hillcrist family (C.V. France, Helen Haye, Jill Esmond) and the affluent Hornblowers (Edmund Gwenn, John Longden, Phyllis Konstam, Frank Lawton). Mr. Hornblower acquires land by misleading tenant farmers, aiming to replace it with industrial development. The Hillcrists regret their earlier sale of property to him and oppose his attempt to purchase neighboring lands, fearing it will alter the rural nature of their estate.
During a land auction, Hornblower uses an intermediary to outbid the Hillcrists. Dawker, an employee of the Hillcrist family, uncovers a compromising secret concerning Hornblower’s pregnant daughter-in-law, Chloe. This information is used by the Hillcrists to coerce Hornblower into transferring ownership of the disputed land back to them, along with a promise to keep quiet. Nevertheless, rumors circulate, raising Charles Hornblower’s suspicions. Chloe implores the Hillcrists to create a false narrative, but after Charles confronts Dawker and threatens to end his marriage, Chloe takes her own life offscreen by drowning.
Mrs. Hillcrist hesitantly entrusts Dawker with the deed for protection; however, Hornblower forcibly reclaims it. Grief-stricken by Chloe’s death, Hornblower vows vengeance. The film concludes with workers cutting down a large tree on land adjacent to the Hillcrist estate, symbolizing transformation and loss.
Cast (in credits order)
- C. V. France as Jack Hillcrist – representing the Hillcrist family
- Helen Haye as Ivy Hillcrist – representing the Hillcrist family
- Jill Esmond as Jill – representing the Hillcrist family
- Edmund Gwenn as Mr Hornblower – representing the Hornblower family
- John Longden as Charles – representing the Hornblower family
- Phyllis Konstam as Chloe – representing the Hornblower family
- Frank Lawton as Rolf – representing the Hornblower family
- Herbert Ross as a member of the Jackmans
- Dora Gregory as a member of the Jackmans
- Edward Chapman as Dawker
- R.E. Jeffrey as First Stranger
- George Bancroft as Second Stranger
- Ronald Frankau as Auctioneer
Copyright status and home media
The Skin Game is still under copyright internationally but has experienced widespread unauthorized distribution on home video formats. Despite this, officially authorized and restored versions have been made available on DVD, Blu-ray, and digital platforms by distributors such as Optimum in Britain, along with Lionsgate and Kino Lorber in the United States.
Reception
According to Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a 38% approval rating based on three favorable and five unfavorable critic reviews.