Kind Lady (1951)

It is a performances centric movie

If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.

As somebody who had not heard any of this before, it became a curious phenomenon to sit and watch a film and slowly have the realities begin to click into place.

Ok... Let's be honest. It cannot be the best movie but is quite enjoyable. The movie has the potential to develop a great plot for future movies

Ethel Barrymore's whole suburban world is turned upside down by the sudden knock at the door by the curious Maurice Evans who inquires as to the origins of her ornate door knocker. She politely answers his questions, impressed with his knowledge of art, and soon, he is across the street in the park painting her flat. She kindly invites him in for conversation, but he's actually rather insulting to her, even going as far as to steal from her. But she's forgiving, and when he follows her into a bookstore to return the stolen item, she gullibly falls prey to his next scheme which involves his frail wife (Betsy Blair) and cockney friends (Keenan Wynn and Angela Lansbury) who show up and basically take over. There's really nothing Barrymore can do, and she ends up being trapped in terror in her own bedroom as the nefarious villains begin to sell her belongings.On the surface, Barrymore's not quite totally sweet old lady seems more stupid than simply just kind. She's actually quite emotionless, showing no real fear other than annoyance. However, like any great thespian, Barrymore speaks more with her eyes than words, especially when she's standing over the banister in her own home and witnesses a scene between Evans and her loyal housekeeper (Doris Lloyd) that expresses a thousand thoughts. Lansbury is basically playing an older version of her character in "Gaslight", and it certainly would be interesting at this point in her career to see her playing the Barrymore part. Wynn, one of the great character actors of the golden age of cinema, was adept at parts either comical or sinister, and here, he does the later brilliantly. Lloyd also deserves kudos for showing her character's fear after coming off as quite tough when the situation first began to develop. Blair's fragility reminds me of the great character actresses Judith Evelyn and Edith Barrett, women who often played those afraid of their own shadows.The Victorian age setting is brilliantly crafted at the hands of director John Sturges who doesn't put on any pretensions while creating a dark atmosphere which dominated most of his films. Previously made 15 years earlier with a younger actress playing the Barrymore part (Aline MacMahon), "Kind Lady" is the type of predictable "gaslight" thriller that dominated the stage (sort of like "Night Must Fall") and takes great pains in exposing sociopaths for the demented minds that are covered up by alleged sophistication and phony manners.

Ethel Barrymore defies Hollywood ageism by taking the lead role in this thriller from MGM, and quite frankly, with the exception of her work in None But the Lonely Heart, it is one of her best on-screen performances. MGM previously filmed this story in 1935 with Aline MacMahon. Miss MacMahon excelled at the role of a recluse whose life is now at the mercy of a group of con artists. But Barrymore imbues it with more authenticity and the right amount of wisdom and shrewdness that comes with being the exact age of the character, not dressing up in old woman's clothes and applying gobs of make-up like a much younger Miss McMahon did in the first filmed production. This remake also benefits from a stellar supporting cast, the likes of which include MGM contract player Angela Lansbury and Lansbury's real-life mother Moyna Macgill in a small role. Miss Barrymore's best is brought out in spades by costar Maurice Evans, the slickest con in the bunch, who dazzles the kind lady as a smooth-talking rogue while avoiding the pitfalls of scene chewing. As a result, we are kept enthralled right up to the story's denouement. The ending certainly does not disappoint and reaffirms our belief in the justice of this world.

In the last period of her life when the First Lady of the Theater decided to join her brothers finally in Hollywood, Kind Lady was the only time Ethel Barrymore played the lead role. Parts were not readily available then and now for 72 year old leads. In addition Ethel's health was not the best. Margot Peters study of the Barrymore clan says that Ethel was not in the best of shape during the making of Kind Lady and production was halted a few times before it was completed. She was never again asked to carry a film, henceforth her parts would be supporting ones.Her regal theatrical training stood her in good stead for the part of a genteel Edwardian widow who lives comfortably, but not ostentatiously in London at the turn of the last century. Still she's got some valuable paintings and antiques which arouse the interest of Maurice Evans.Evans plays a ne'er do well artist who insinuates himself together with his gang in her home. They take the place of her real home staff and proceed to gradually strip the place and terrorize the old woman. Probably Ethel's real life frailties stood her in good stead in playing the part.As for Evans he's one crafty villain, the rest of his gang consist of Keenan Wynn, Angela Lansbury, and Betsy Blair. This was Evans American screen debut. During his career Maurice Evans did not do much big screen work, preferring the stage and small screen. A lot of people consider his the best MacBeth ever done. But film audiences remember him best as Dr. Zaius in two Planet of the Apes films and television audiences know him as Samantha's father in Bewitched.Evans and Barrymore are a well matched duo of classically trained stage performers who knew what to do in film as well. Kind Lady is well worth a look.

At the outset, I must point out that this movie is very similar to the later movie, THE SERVANT, starring Dirk Bogarde. Both concern a person bringing someone into their homes who turns out to be an evil sociopath who threatens and dominates and exploits the master of the house.In this film, sweet old Ethel Barrymore lives alone in a big house. She meets a struggling artist (Maurice Evens) and naively offers to let him stay with her until he becomes an established artist. However, over time, it becomes more and more obvious that Evans is much more interested in Barrymore's fortune and invites in a group of "caretakers" to lock away the old lady as they loot her estate.The acting is superb and the movie is genuinely scary and well made. A wonderful old film that is rarely seen today.