The Franchise Affair
Encyclopedia
The Franchise Affair is a 1948
mystery novel by Josephine Tey
, in which a small-town lawyer is called on to defend two women accused of kidnapping and mistreating a girl named Betty Kane.
Although given a contemporary setting, it is inspired by the 18th-century case of Elizabeth Canning
.
The novel was adapted for the film The Franchise Affair
in 1951
, starring Michael Denison
and Dulcie Gray
. It has also been adapted twice for television, in 1962 and 1988, and once for radio in 2005.
In 1990, the UK Crime Writers' Association
named it one of The Top 100 Crime Novels of All Time
.
It is most probably based on a reading of Arthur Machen
's non-fiction account of the case The Canning Wonder (1925) as the plot follows a similar line to Machen's thinking.
1948 in literature
The year 1948 in literature involved some significant events and new books.-Events:* The Pulitzer Prize for the Novel is renamed the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction....
mystery novel by Josephine Tey
Josephine Tey
Josephine Tey was a pseudonym used by Elizabeth Mackintosh a Scottish author best known for her mystery novels. She also wrote as Gordon Daviot, under which name she wrote plays with an historical theme....
, in which a small-town lawyer is called on to defend two women accused of kidnapping and mistreating a girl named Betty Kane.
Although given a contemporary setting, it is inspired by the 18th-century case of Elizabeth Canning
Elizabeth Canning
Elizabeth Canning was an English maidservant who claimed to have been kidnapped and held against her will in a hayloft for almost a month...
.
The novel was adapted for the film The Franchise Affair
The Franchise Affair (film)
The Franchise Affair is a 1951 British thriller film directed by Lawrence Huntington and starring Michael Denison, Dulcie Gray, Anthony Nicholls and Marjorie Fielding...
in 1951
1951 in film
The year 1951 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* Sweden - May Britt is scouted by Italian film-makers Carlo Ponti and Mario Soldati-Top grossing films : After theatrical re-issue- Awards :Academy Awards:...
, starring Michael Denison
Michael Denison
John Michael Terence Wellesley Denison CBE was an English actor.-Background:Denison was born in Doncaster, South Yorkshire in 1915. He was raised by his aunt and uncle from the age of three weeks, following the death of his mother and his estrangement from his father. He was educated at Harrow...
and Dulcie Gray
Dulcie Gray
Dulcie Gray, CBE was a British singer and actress of stage, screen and television, a mystery writer and lepidopterist.-Early life and career:...
. It has also been adapted twice for television, in 1962 and 1988, and once for radio in 2005.
In 1990, the UK Crime Writers' Association
Crime Writers' Association
The Crime Writers Association is a writers' association in the United Kingdom. Founded by John Creasey in 1953, it is currently chaired by Peter James and claims 450+ members....
named it one of The Top 100 Crime Novels of All Time
The Top 100 Crime Novels of All Time
The Top 100 Crime Novels of All Time is a list published in book form in 1990 by the British-based Crime Writers' Association. Five years later, the Mystery Writers of America published a similar list entitled The Top 100 Mystery Novels of All Time...
.
It is most probably based on a reading of Arthur Machen
Arthur Machen
Arthur Machen was a Welsh author and mystic of the 1890s and early 20th century. He is best known for his influential supernatural, fantasy, and horror fiction. His novella The Great God Pan has garnered a reputation as a classic of horror...
's non-fiction account of the case The Canning Wonder (1925) as the plot follows a similar line to Machen's thinking.
External links
- The 1962 TV adaptation of
- The 1988 TV adaptation of