The Sleeping Tiger
Encyclopedia
The Sleeping Tiger is a 1954
film noir
starring Dirk Bogarde
and Alexis Smith
. It was Joseph Losey's
first British
feature, which he directed under the pseudonym
of Victor Hanbury due to being blacklisted
in the McCarthy Era
.
), a cocky young man, holds psychiatrist Dr. Clive Esmond (Alexander Knox
) up at gunpoint, but Dr. Esmond manages to overpower him. Frank has two options; he can go to prison or he can be a guest at Dr. Esmond’s house where he’ll be a human guinea pig subjected to Dr. Esmond’s scrutiny, which aims to cure him of his criminality. Frank agrees upon the latter.
Arriving home from a holiday in Paris, Dr. Esmond’s wife Glenda (Alexis Smith
) is taken aback when she sees the new household guest. Glenda has her reservations for Frank and behaves in a cold, aloof manner towards him.
Frank is regularly analysed by Dr. Esmond, who is determined to get to the root of his criminality. In between these sessions, he also goes horse riding with Glenda. Although at first indifferent to him, Glenda soon finds herself growing attracted to Frank.
With a co-conspirator in tow, Frank leaves the house one night and steals some jewellery. An inspector later asks him about the crime, but he denies having committed it.
Some time after, Frank ushers Glenda into the Metro, a seedy Soho nightclub where her conflicted attraction to him deepens. They soon begin an affair, which occurs the next day after Glenda’s attempt to chastise Frank for his violent behaviour towards the maid, Sally (Patricia McCarron), ends with a passionate clinch.
Frank and Glenda carry on with their affair. Dr. Esmond eventually finds them in a compromising position. Glenda’s conflicted feelings plague her. While at the Metro with Frank, the two have a huge argument that overwhelms her. She begins her journey home, driving recklessly and out of control. A police car soon follows. She manages to escape.
Sally’s fiancé pays Dr. Esmond a visit to complain about the abuse she has had to endure from Frank. Her fiancé threatens to tell the police. No charges are pressed and Frank finds out that this is due to Dr. Esmond buying the man off with £100. Frank reacts and carries out another robbery. When questioned by the police, Dr. Esmond ends up lying on Frank’s behalf. A cunning ploy, this results in Frank giving a tragic account of his tyrannical father, whom he deeply despises. As a youngster, Frank stole and his father consequently turned him in to the authorities. Frank vowed revenge on his Father when he was released, but was then given a beating. His father shortly died and he was blamed. This is what caused Frank’s life of crime.
Dr. Esmond soon begins acting like a father figure towards Frank. The two enjoy carefree activities together until Glenda finds out and grows intensely jealous. She asks Frank to run away with her. However, with Dr. Esmond’s psychiatric experiment now over, Frank leaves and decides to turn himself in to the police. Glenda hysterically rushes to Dr. Esmond, claiming that Frank has assaulted her. Dr. Esmond goes upstairs with a gun and claims that he has shot Frank dead. Glenda is heartbroken and ends up declaring her love for Frank. She then finds out that Frank has merely escaped and goes after him in her car. He gets into her car and they drive off. The hysterical Glenda swerves to avoid a truck, but crashes into a billboard. Frank survives, but Glenda dies instantly.
, the blacklisted
Joseph Losey
moved to London
and began work on The Sleeping Tiger, his first British
feature. Despite now being in England
, he was faced with yet more problems. The film had to be directed under the pseudonym
Victor Hanbury and its stars, Alexis Smith
and Alexander Knox
, were fearful of how appearing in Losey’s film would affect their Hollywood careers.
The film marks the beginning of Losey’s partnership with Dirk Bogarde
, whom he later directed in The Servant, King & Country
, Modesty Blaise
and Accident.
1954 in film
The year 1954 in film involved some significant events and memorable ones.-Events:*May 12 - The Marx Brothers' Zeppo Marx divorces wife Marion Benda...
film noir
Film noir
Film noir is a cinematic term used primarily to describe stylish Hollywood crime dramas, particularly those that emphasize cynical attitudes and sexual motivations. Hollywood's classic film noir period is generally regarded as extending from the early 1940s to the late 1950s...
starring Dirk Bogarde
Dirk Bogarde
Sir Dirk Bogarde was an English actor and novelist. Initially a matinee idol in such films as Doctor in the House and other Rank Organisation pictures, Bogarde later acted in art-house films such as Death in Venice...
and Alexis Smith
Alexis Smith
Alexis Smith was a Canadian-born stage, film, and television actress. She appeared in several major Hollywood movies in the 1940s and had a notable career on Broadway in the 1970s, winning a Tony Award in 1972.-Life and career:...
. It was Joseph Losey's
Joseph Losey
Joseph Walton Losey was an American theater and film director. After studying in Germany with Bertolt Brecht, Losey returned to the United States, eventually making his way to Hollywood...
first British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
feature, which he directed under the pseudonym
Pseudonym
A pseudonym is a name that a person assumes for a particular purpose and that differs from his or her original orthonym...
of Victor Hanbury due to being blacklisted
Hollywood blacklist
The Hollywood blacklist—as the broader entertainment industry blacklist is generally known—was the mid-twentieth-century list of screenwriters, actors, directors, musicians, and other U.S. entertainment professionals who were denied employment in the field because of their political beliefs or...
in the McCarthy Era
McCarthyism
McCarthyism is the practice of making accusations of disloyalty, subversion, or treason without proper regard for evidence. The term has its origins in the period in the United States known as the Second Red Scare, lasting roughly from the late 1940s to the late 1950s and characterized by...
.
Plot
Two criminals are stalking the streets of London one dark night. Frank Clemmons (Dirk BogardeDirk Bogarde
Sir Dirk Bogarde was an English actor and novelist. Initially a matinee idol in such films as Doctor in the House and other Rank Organisation pictures, Bogarde later acted in art-house films such as Death in Venice...
), a cocky young man, holds psychiatrist Dr. Clive Esmond (Alexander Knox
Alexander Knox
Alexander Knox was a Canadian actor and author of adventure novels set in the Great Lakes area during the 19th century.-Biography:...
) up at gunpoint, but Dr. Esmond manages to overpower him. Frank has two options; he can go to prison or he can be a guest at Dr. Esmond’s house where he’ll be a human guinea pig subjected to Dr. Esmond’s scrutiny, which aims to cure him of his criminality. Frank agrees upon the latter.
Arriving home from a holiday in Paris, Dr. Esmond’s wife Glenda (Alexis Smith
Alexis Smith
Alexis Smith was a Canadian-born stage, film, and television actress. She appeared in several major Hollywood movies in the 1940s and had a notable career on Broadway in the 1970s, winning a Tony Award in 1972.-Life and career:...
) is taken aback when she sees the new household guest. Glenda has her reservations for Frank and behaves in a cold, aloof manner towards him.
Frank is regularly analysed by Dr. Esmond, who is determined to get to the root of his criminality. In between these sessions, he also goes horse riding with Glenda. Although at first indifferent to him, Glenda soon finds herself growing attracted to Frank.
With a co-conspirator in tow, Frank leaves the house one night and steals some jewellery. An inspector later asks him about the crime, but he denies having committed it.
Some time after, Frank ushers Glenda into the Metro, a seedy Soho nightclub where her conflicted attraction to him deepens. They soon begin an affair, which occurs the next day after Glenda’s attempt to chastise Frank for his violent behaviour towards the maid, Sally (Patricia McCarron), ends with a passionate clinch.
Frank and Glenda carry on with their affair. Dr. Esmond eventually finds them in a compromising position. Glenda’s conflicted feelings plague her. While at the Metro with Frank, the two have a huge argument that overwhelms her. She begins her journey home, driving recklessly and out of control. A police car soon follows. She manages to escape.
Sally’s fiancé pays Dr. Esmond a visit to complain about the abuse she has had to endure from Frank. Her fiancé threatens to tell the police. No charges are pressed and Frank finds out that this is due to Dr. Esmond buying the man off with £100. Frank reacts and carries out another robbery. When questioned by the police, Dr. Esmond ends up lying on Frank’s behalf. A cunning ploy, this results in Frank giving a tragic account of his tyrannical father, whom he deeply despises. As a youngster, Frank stole and his father consequently turned him in to the authorities. Frank vowed revenge on his Father when he was released, but was then given a beating. His father shortly died and he was blamed. This is what caused Frank’s life of crime.
Dr. Esmond soon begins acting like a father figure towards Frank. The two enjoy carefree activities together until Glenda finds out and grows intensely jealous. She asks Frank to run away with her. However, with Dr. Esmond’s psychiatric experiment now over, Frank leaves and decides to turn himself in to the police. Glenda hysterically rushes to Dr. Esmond, claiming that Frank has assaulted her. Dr. Esmond goes upstairs with a gun and claims that he has shot Frank dead. Glenda is heartbroken and ends up declaring her love for Frank. She then finds out that Frank has merely escaped and goes after him in her car. He gets into her car and they drive off. The hysterical Glenda swerves to avoid a truck, but crashes into a billboard. Frank survives, but Glenda dies instantly.
Cast
- Dirk BogardeDirk BogardeSir Dirk Bogarde was an English actor and novelist. Initially a matinee idol in such films as Doctor in the House and other Rank Organisation pictures, Bogarde later acted in art-house films such as Death in Venice...
as Frank Clemmons - Alexis SmithAlexis SmithAlexis Smith was a Canadian-born stage, film, and television actress. She appeared in several major Hollywood movies in the 1940s and had a notable career on Broadway in the 1970s, winning a Tony Award in 1972.-Life and career:...
as Glenda Esmond - Alexander KnoxAlexander KnoxAlexander Knox was a Canadian actor and author of adventure novels set in the Great Lakes area during the 19th century.-Biography:...
as Dr. Clive Esmond - Hugh GriffithHugh GriffithHugh Emrys Griffith was a Welsh film, stage and television actor.-Early life:Griffith was born in Marianglas, Anglesey, Wales, the son of Mary and William Griffith. He was educated at Llangefni County School and attempted to gain entrance to university, but failed the English examination...
as The Inspector - Patricia McCarron as Sally Foster, maid
- Maxine AudleyMaxine AudleyMaxine Audley was an English theatre and film actress. She made her professional stage debut in July 1940 at the Open Air Theatre. Throughout her career, Audley performed with both the Old Vic company and the Royal Shakespeare Company multiple times...
as Carol - Glyn HoustonGlyn HoustonGlyn Houston , is an actor best known for his television work. He is the brother of the late film actor Donald Houston.-Early life:...
as Bailey - Harry TowbHarry TowbHarry Towb was a Northern Irish actor.-Early life and career:Towb's father was Russian and his mother was Irish. He attended the Finiston School and Technical College, Belfast...
as Harry, second criminal - Russell WatersRussell WatersRussell Waters was a Scottish film actor.Waters was educated at Hutchesons' Grammar School, Glasgow and the University of Glasgow. He began acting with the Old English Comedy and Shakespeare Company then appeared in repertory theatre, at the Old Vic and in the West End. On screen Waters generally...
as Manager of Pearce & Mann - Billie WhitelawBillie WhitelawBillie Honor Whitelaw, CBE is an English actress. She worked in close collaboration with Irish playwright Samuel Beckett for 25 years and is regarded as one of the foremost interpreters of his works...
as Receptionist at Pearce & Mann - Fred Griffiths as Taxi Driver
- Esma CannonEsma CannonEsma Ellen Charlotte Cannon was a diminutive Australian-born character actress, who moved to England in the early 1930s.-Career:...
as Scrubwoman with ladder
Production notes
Due to his alleged ties with the Communist PartyCommunist party
A political party described as a Communist party includes those that advocate the application of the social principles of communism through a communist form of government...
, the blacklisted
Hollywood blacklist
The Hollywood blacklist—as the broader entertainment industry blacklist is generally known—was the mid-twentieth-century list of screenwriters, actors, directors, musicians, and other U.S. entertainment professionals who were denied employment in the field because of their political beliefs or...
Joseph Losey
Joseph Losey
Joseph Walton Losey was an American theater and film director. After studying in Germany with Bertolt Brecht, Losey returned to the United States, eventually making his way to Hollywood...
moved to London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
and began work on The Sleeping Tiger, his first British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
feature. Despite now being in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, he was faced with yet more problems. The film had to be directed under the pseudonym
Pseudonym
A pseudonym is a name that a person assumes for a particular purpose and that differs from his or her original orthonym...
Victor Hanbury and its stars, Alexis Smith
Alexis Smith
Alexis Smith was a Canadian-born stage, film, and television actress. She appeared in several major Hollywood movies in the 1940s and had a notable career on Broadway in the 1970s, winning a Tony Award in 1972.-Life and career:...
and Alexander Knox
Alexander Knox
Alexander Knox was a Canadian actor and author of adventure novels set in the Great Lakes area during the 19th century.-Biography:...
, were fearful of how appearing in Losey’s film would affect their Hollywood careers.
The film marks the beginning of Losey’s partnership with Dirk Bogarde
Dirk Bogarde
Sir Dirk Bogarde was an English actor and novelist. Initially a matinee idol in such films as Doctor in the House and other Rank Organisation pictures, Bogarde later acted in art-house films such as Death in Venice...
, whom he later directed in The Servant, King & Country
King & Country
King and Country is a 1964 British film, directed by American-born director Joseph Losey, shot in black and white, and starring Dirk Bogarde and Tom Courtenay...
, Modesty Blaise
Modesty Blaise (1966 film)
Modesty Blaise was a comedic spy-fi motion picture produced in the United Kingdom and released worldwide in 1966. It was loosely based upon the popular comic strip Modesty Blaise by Peter O'Donnell, who wrote the original story and scenario upon which Evan Jones based his screenplay...
and Accident.