THE SLEEPING TIGER
UK, 1954, 89 minutes, Black and white.
Dirk Bogarde, Alexander Knox, Alexis Smith, Hugh Griffith, Maxine Audley, Glyn Houston, Billie Whitelaw.
Directed by Joseph Losey.
The Sleeping Tiger was produced and directed by Joseph Losey in England under the name of Victor Hanbury. He had to leave the United States because of the McCarthy? investigations and blacklists. Losey was to stay in England and France for the rest of his career to the mid-80s.
The film is highly melodramatic, a psychiatric study. It is not to be taken on the level of realism - but a heightened melodrama. on this level, it has some power and is entertaining,. Alexander Knox is the serious psychiatrist. Dirk Bogarde (who was to work with Losey for King and Country, The Servant, Accident, Modesty Blaise) is the criminal. Alexis Smith has a strong role as the frustrated wife, consumed by passion.
Interesting melodrama, especially in the career of Joseph Losey.
1. Interesting and entertaining psychological melodrama? Character study?
2. The work of Joseph Losey: background in the United States? Career in England?
3. Black and white photography, light and darkness, shadow? The evocation of a psychological atmosphere by black and white photography? The atmosphere of London, homes, clubs, streets, police stations? The heightened musical score?
4. The title and the sleeping tiger leaping out? Whose sleeping tiger?
5. The plausibility of the plot? In terms of realism? In terms of stylised psychological drama? Audiences willing to suspend disbelief?
6. The setting up of the situation: Frank Clements as a criminal, his attempt on Clive Esmond? Esmond bringing him home, the encounter with Belinda, with Carol?
7. Clive's arrangement? Credibility? Clive and his work as a psychiatrist, his interests, study? The experience with Frank? The bargain? Introducing Frank into his home? Frank's behaviour? His putting up with Frank? His treatment of him? His becoming a father figure? His being betrayed by Frank? The robbery, his covering for him, providing for him? Providing the alibi? Encounters with the police? His relationship with Clenda? Strained, loving? The accusation by Glenda? The pretended shooting? Frank's wanting to give himself up? His intuition being vindicated by Frank's behaviour? His losing Glenda? A study of a psychiatrist?
8. Frank as a London criminal, the initial hold-up, the bargain with Clive? His contacts? Moving in, arrogance, sullenness, taking: over? Treatment of Carol? Attitudes towards Glenda? Pressures and freedom? The decision to leave, the robbery, Clive covering for;hdm? His change of attitude? The infatuation with Glenda? Decision to leave her? The effect on her? His leaving, the melodramatic shooting? His being picked up by Glenda? The crash?
9. Glenda and her style, presence? Stylish? Believing in Clivels theories? Putting up with the criminals in her home? The initial clashes with Frank? The smouldering relationship? Tensions, the effect on her, her needs, infatuation, passionate love? Frank's change? Her desperation? Accusing him to Clive? The melodrama of the shooting? Her leaving the house, picking up Frank, the wild crash?
10. Carol and her role in the house, tensions with Frank?
11. The police, their investigations, suspicions?
12. The psychological interest of the film? A possible therapy?
13. The domestic detail, ordinariness with tension underlying?
14. An enjoyable and satisfying melodrama?
