fmj's - Rented List
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One dark summers night, Francesca Cunningham (Ann Todd), a once world-famous concert pianist, escapes from her hospital room and tries to commit suicide by jumping off a bridge. Rescued by Dr. Larsen (Herbert Lorn), Francesca is taken back to the hospital in order to undergo psychological treatment. Desperate to know what events drove her to this state of mind, Dr Larsen hypnotises Francesca and uncovers a traumatic relationship with her domineering guardian, Nicholas (James Mason). Forced to endlessly practice the piano, Francesca's deep psychological traumas have become hidden behind The Seventh Veil... - Director:
- Compton Bennett
- Cast:
- James Mason, Ann Todd, Herbert Lom
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A ruthless kidnapper and blackmailer called Marlowe has abducted a young boy. After imprisoning the child in a deserted house, Marlowe gives him a toy golly for comfort. But hidden inside is a time bomb which is set to explode at tend the following morning. Marlowe coolly drives to visit the boy's wealthy father and demands a ransom of £50,000 in order to have his son returned alive. Inspector Parnell and Sergeant Grey are called in when the boy's father decides to pay the ransom. But Inspector Parnell chooses to play a deadly game of cat and mouse with the kidnapper as the young boy plays with his new toy. Meanwhile the clock is ticking... - Director:
- Lance Comfort
- Cast:
- John Gregson, Robert Shaw, Alec Clunes
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Jim Gay (Wilfred Pickles) is a northern miner with an obsession for greyhound racing. Having seen Raving Beauty romp to first place at short odds because everybody had backed it, Jim decides to increase its odds for the big race by pretending that Raving Beauty is ill and unlikely to finish. But keeping this a secret from his wife Maggie (Megs Jenkins) and daughter Sally (Petula Clark) is a tougher job than Jim Gay ever imagines. Whilst Jim and Peter (John Blythe) find ever more comical ways to keep their secret under wraps, their world is turned upside-down when an unknown but highly-fancied greyhound enters the race and is kennelled at the local vicar's house. - Director:
- Maurice Elvey
- Cast:
- Wilfred Pickles, Petula Clark, Megs Jenkins
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IP Man (2008)Yip Man
Set in Foshan, China, during the Sino-Japanese War, Ip Man vividly brings to life the brutality of the infamous Japanese occupation, where once proud men are forced to fight to the death for a precious bag of rice. Defined by courage and humility, one man rises to die fore, Grandmaster Ip Man (Donnie Yen): a Wing Chun impresario, whose matchless fighting skill is revered all over China. Upon refusing to teach his beloved fighting art to the invading Japanese soldiers, he is forced to fight for the honour of his country in a series of battles that will culminate in a kill-or-be-killed showdown with Japan's greatest fighter. - Director:
- Wilson Yip
- Cast:
- Donnie Yen, Simon Yam, Siu-Wong Fan
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At the rough Worrell Street School in London's East End, the pupils are kept in line by the harsh discipline of the staff and the occasional savage beating. An idealistic young schoolteacher (Max Bygraves) takes up his first post since leaving the navy and resists the authoritarian rule of his fellow tutor Gregory (Geoffrey Keen) and the headmaster Jenkins (Donald Pleasence). By playing on the youngsters' interests he tries to teach his unruly students the joy of learning and win their trust. At first he enjoys success with the wayward but bright Harkness (Richard O'Sullivan); but after a prank at Gregory's expense causes a riot amongst the pupils, Saunders clashes with the entrenched regime. The friction at Worrel Street leaves the headmaster with no choice but to support either the bullying practices of his staff, or the unproven ideas of the na'ive newcomer. - Director:
- Leslie Norman
- Cast:
- Max Bygraves, Geoffrey Keen, Donald Pleasence
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Legendary England cricketer Sam Palmer (Jack Warner) is due to bat in his final test match against Australia. He is desperate for his son Reggie (Ray Jackson) to see his final innings but Reggie prefers poetry to cricket. And when he is offered the opportunity to read his poetry to England's greatest playwright Alexander Whitehead (Robert Morley) on the last day of the test, the relationship between father and son is tested to the limit. As Sam prepares for his final knock, the conflict with his son weighs heavily on his mind, but he is also upset over England's young batsman and ladies-man, Syd Thompson (George Relph), dating the woman whom he hope to marry. - Director:
- Anthony Asquith
- Cast:
- John Arlott, Jack Warner, Robert Morley
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It is 1989 and Paris is crowded with visitors, for it is the eve of the opening of the 'Great exhibition'. Victoria (Jean Simmons) and her brother, Johnny (David Tomlinson), arrive to take part in the event. Leaving her brother at the bar, Vicky retires to her hotel room for the night. Next morning she excitedly runs to see Johnny and is bewildered to find that both her brother and his room have disappeared. Her surprise turns to concern when all the staff and guests deny ever seeing her brother. The authorities refuse to believe her story, but by chance she meets a young English artist, George (Dirk Bogarde) who knows her story to be true. Together they must try to unravel the mystery. - Director:
- Antony Darnborough
- Cast:
- Jean Simmons, Dirk Bogarde, David Tomlinson
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Lewis Gilbert's classic comedy drama portrays the antics of a British Army Searchlight Squad during World War II. Lieutenant Ogelby (Ian Carmichael) has his work cut out to keep his 'legionaires' at their post and not rampaging through the local countryside. The McGaffey brothers (Benny Hill and Tommy Steele) create havoc with their light-fingers and light-loving with the local girls, whilst Smithy (Johnny Briggs) pines for his sweetheart. The Searchlight Squad is a rag-tag band of men brought together by the war, who must now learn how to live and fight together in order to survive. As the Nazis continue their bombing raids, Lance Tomlinson has to tread a fine line between upholding the army's discipline and remaining one of the boys. - Director:
- Lewis Gilbert
- Cast:
- Ian Carmichael, Tommy Steele, Benny Hill
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It is a moment before dawn, and the river traffic on the Thames begins to ease its way through the fog. The River police find the body of a young girl left dry by the ebb tide. Her body is brought ashore and her possessions examined. Who is she? And what drove her to take her own life? For the young married couple (Judi Dench and Norman Rodway) love brought them together, but now marriage and a child have driven them apart. The young husband would rather stay out than return home to a wife kept awake by a teething baby daughter. Their story is witnesses by their friend (Joe Melia), a bachelor, who is exposed as the loneliest of them all. - Director:
- Anthony Simmons
- Cast:
- Ann Lynn, Judi Dench, Norman Rodway
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Belfast is a poignant story of love, laughter and loss in one boy's childhood amid the music and social tumult of the late 1960's. Buddy's family lives in a largely Protestant district with a few Catholic families, but one day his community and everything he thought he understood about life is suddenly turned upside down. Buddy's family gets caught in the mayhem and must decide to stay or leave the only place they have ever called home. Through it all, his passionate parents (Caitriona Balfe and Jamie Dornan) and quick-witted grandparents (Academy Award winner Judy Dench and Ciaran Hinds) keep the joy alive through music and the magic of movies in this feel-good story that reminds us that no matter how far you go, you never forget where you came from. - Director:
- Kenneth Branagh
- Cast:
- Jude Hill, Lewis McAskie, Caitriona Balfe
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Although Belgium's premiere sleuth Hercule Poirot (Kenneth Branagh) plans a spectacular Egyptian vacation aboard a glamorous river steamer, the trip turns into a terrifying search for a murderer after a picture-perfect couple's honeymoon is cut tragically short. Set against a sweeping landscape of pyramids and desert vistas, 'Death on the Nile' features a stunning ensemble cast. Based on Agatha Christie's beloved novel, this tale of unbridled passion and jealousy is filled with wicked twists and turns that will have you guessing until the shocking finale. - Director:
- Kenneth Branagh
- Cast:
- Tom Bateman, Annette Bening, Kenneth Branagh
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English journalist Charleston has spent the 1930s trying to make the public aware of the dangers of Hitler's Germany. But it seems no-one wants to listen. In anger and defeat, he takes up residence in a Lake Michigan lighthouse. There, in his solitude, he is forced to reconsider the merit of turning his back on the world. - Director:
- Roy Boulting
- Cast:
- Michael Redgrave, Barbara Mullen, James Mason
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Hotshot reporter Frank Burdon is thrilled to land a job at the only newspaper in the wee Scottish town of Baikie. His first assignment is to interview the local politician, wealthy William Gow, who is running for Parliament. Burdon is shocked to find that despite Gow's glowing reputation, the man is totally insensitive. The final straw comes when the politician refuses to speak to a destitute ice cream vendor whose dog he impounded when she could no longer afford to pay the license. Indignant, Burdon's puff piece begins to take another direction... Despite himself, Burdon can't help but fall for Gow's beautiful daughter Vickie. When his piece breaks, hundreds of British press descend on the tiny town. When a pack of impounded dogs including the ice cream vendor's hound are set free, how will Burdon prove his innocence? This rare British foray into the Screwball genre sees Rex Harrison take his first starring role. If you don't watch 'Storm in a Teacup' for the hilarious script, impeccable acting, adorable doggy talent or fascinating anti-fascist undercurrents, watch it to see two burgeoning Hollywood icons at the very start of their huge careers! - Director:
- Ian Dalrymple
- Cast:
- Vivien Leigh, Rex Harrison, Cecil Parker
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Lucy (Phyllis Calvert), Charlotte (Dulcie Gray) and Vera (Anne Crawford) are three sisters who are pursued by three very different kinds of men asking for their hand in marriage. Geoffrey (James Mason) is an ambitious, carousing businessman who pursues Charlotte because he believes a demure, stay-at-home wife will make his career progress more rapidly and his extra-marital social activities more pleasant. William (Peter Murray-Hill) is a dependable, kindly man who recognises in Lucy a kindred spirit. Vera is a social butterfly with no interest in anyone but herself, so when Brian (Barry Livesey) offers to marry her, she accepts as a marriage of convenience and takes lovers when she desires. As time passes the three sisters suffer joy and heartache, but as the cruel, sadistic behaviour of Geoffrey threatens to send Charlotte insane, the sisters decide to unite together with momentous consequences... - Director:
- Arthur Crabtree
- Cast:
- Phyllis Calvert, James Mason, Hugh Sinclair
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In a depression-ravaged northern English mining town, a group of miners refuse to work a dangerous seam. The ensuing struggle sees two friends escape their underground destiny; Davey Fenwick wins a university education, while Joe Gowlan leaves for a life of commerce. As they grow up - one idealistic and determined, the other cunning and opportunistic -their paths and love lives clash and cross, before meeting in a thrilling climax back in their home town. This was the film that established the credentials of Carol Reed, arguably Britain's greatest ever director. Although he had already made several well-received films, here he had the budget, the stars and the source material (A.J. Cronin's impressive 1935 novel) to deliver the visual sense, character treatment and political sensitivity that would famously feature in his later films like The Third Man, Trapeze (1956), Our Man in Havana (1960), The Running Man (1963) and Oliver! (1968). - Director:
- Carol Reed
- Cast:
- Michael Redgrave, Margaret Lockwood, Edward Rigby
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