I See A Dark Stranger

Although overlong and descending in the latter stages into a slapstick farce for the most part I See A Dark Stranger is a delightful instance of pre-Ealing British film comedy with a gem of a performance from Deborah Kerr as Bridie Quilty. a naively headstrong Irish lass whose contempt for the English oppressors, inherited from her charming rogue of a father, sees her drawn into working for a German spy ring.

An odd topic perhaps so soon after the war, particularly given Kerr’s sweet-as-pie screen persona, but perhaps winners could afford to be grinners and in any case, in the end stalwart Army chap Trevor Howard trounces the Jerries, marries the reformed lass and all’s well. The film looks good and the script is smart with some amusing swipes at the Irish and bumbling provincials in the form of a look-alike pair of  military types, Capt. Goodhusband and Lt. Spanswick, but it is the Scot-born Kerr. who was yet to make her move to Hollywood. who makes this truly special. 

 

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