kidboots Jean Simmons, as an actress, is just so under rated in my opinion. She was always reliable, got good notices and was very well liked but has never become a cult figure like Audrey Hepburn. She learned acting as she went. She was one of Rank's most sought after young players and while she was fortunate enough to be given some prize roles early in her career (Estella in "Great Expectations", Ophelia in "Hamlet") she more than justified the faith the studios had in her as well as drawing praise from Sir Laurence Olivier.In 1943 a new escapist genre was introduced into the British movie scene - the romantic Gothic melodrama. During the War British films often reflected that terrible period of strife and sacrifice and by the time "The Man in Grey" galloped onto the screen the public were ready to adore them however the critics sneered. It was only a matter of time before movies discovered ghost writer par excellence Sheridan La Fanu. His eerie stories of the occult and the supernatural were perfect for the Gothic period movies were now going through.This would have to be the most frightening of all the Gothic melodramas. There was not much romance but a ton of action right up until "The End" flashes on the screen and definitely the scariest woman I have ever seen in the movies - the bizarre Madame De La Rougierre (Katina Paxinou). Jean Simmons gained her first starring role as the innocent Catherine who has always worshipped her Uncle Silas, encouraged by her father (silly man!!) who refuses to believe that he is not a changed man. In his youth Silas led a life of sin but is now a recluse, Catherine's father thinks it is due to remorse but I think the answer is found in the "odd tasting" liquid he keeps by his bed!!Initially Madame De La Rougierre, a woman recommended by Silas, is hired as Catherine's governess and shows herself to be a true fiend, going out of her way to corrupt Catherine by introducing her to Silas's debauched son. Catherine's father takes the phrase "turning a deaf ear" to new heights as he refuses to hear anything bad about Silas but even he realises the truth when he finds Madame searching for his will. After her expulsion from the house he dies and Silas is made Catherine's guardian. At first all is well but Catherine soon realises that Silas's vague eccentricity masks a dangerous man who will stop at nothing, not even murder to get his hands on Catherine's inheritance.There's a ghostly mansion on a craggy hill, locked doors, stolen keys, secret passages and eccentric servants and Jean Simmons is perfect as the virginal Catherine but Katina Paxinou's character is larger than life, when she is centre stage there is no room for anyone else (sensible Jean can't really compete with her histrionics so just sits back and lets her do her stuff)!! I was surprised to see Derrick De Marney giving his all to the role of Uncle Silas - he was only 42 at the time and the last time I had seen him in a movie was as the romantic hero on the run in Hitchcock's "Young and Innocent" (1937).Highly, Highly Recommended.

handbagshoes I watched this film yesterday on Film 4 - I quited liked this film in some parts. Upon watching, I realised this film was really about family breakdown. You sometimes think that family problems are more of a modern thing of today - but back then they had their fair share of family upheaval, back stabbing and murder in mind.This film is a Gothic,atmospheric melodrama about Caroline played by a young Jean Simmons as a 16/17-year-old who goes to live with her uncle Silas (Derrick de Marney)after her father dies. Uncle Silas house is some big creepy Mansion with lots of cob webs dark corners and dungeon like stairs and rooms. While there creepy uncle Silas, his son and a french governess plot to kill Caroline and keep her inheritance. I though Derrick de Marney at times performance of Uncle Silas was not creepy enough, as it verged towards being comical. The french governess Madame de la Roughierre (played by Katrina Paxinau)was very creepy and sinister,especially when she takes Caroline on a journey of extreme deception. She was menacing Caroline every step of the way. Her performance made up for the loss in Derrick De Marney non evil performance. Caroline (Jean Simmons) sometimes gave a weak performance which probably was down to some weak and prissy dialogue. Sometimes I felt I could of climbed in the telly and give her a good slapping and tell her to pull herself together and be strong!!!!

lucy-19 This could have been a wonderful film with it's Gothic atmosphere and well-researched period detail (clothes, interiors). But it's hammy, cartoony and over-simplified. Jean Simmons is simpering and wet - oh, sorry, of course I mean cute and vulnerable, Uncle Silas and his son crude and her admirer wooden. Why must Christmas scenes of the 19th century always involve those tedious mummers? Jean Simmons' skirts are far too light and filmy, and young ladies in them days didn't run about at top speed showing lots of leg clad in pantalettes. They wore nothing under those petticoats and had to move more circumspectly. Read the book!

the lioness I saw this film years ago on TV & enjoyed it. This is the story of a young navive woman whose about to learn just how dastardly her uncle really is & how he'll stop at nothing to satisfy his greed. The only thing about this film I don't like: never went to video. However, the BBC did a remake of it called "The Dark Angel" with Peter O'Toole.