Laughing Anne (1953)

Interesting facts

Laughing Anne is a 1953 British adventure film directed by Herbert Wilcox and starring Wendell Corey, Margaret Lockwood, Forrest Tucker, and Ronald Shiner. It was adapted by Pamela Bower from Joseph Conrad's short story, "Because of the Dollars" and from his 1923 two-act play, Laughing Anne.

Production

In 1952 Herbert Wilcox announced he had signed a co-production deal with Herbert Yates of Republic Pictures to make films together starring Anna Neagle and John Wayne, to be shot in colour and aimed at international markets. The projects would include an adaptation of Daphne du Maurier's The King's General and Joseph Conrad's Laughing Anne.

Laughing Anne would instead be made with Margaret Lockwood, who had signed a long-term contract with Wilcox, and two Hollywood names: Forrest Tucker and Wendell Corey. (Tucker had been under contract to Republic for six years.) As extra box office insurance, Ronald Shiner was cast in a leading role. Lockwood's performance was done in the style of Marlene Dietrich.

The film was shot at Shepperton Studios outside London. The film's sets were designed by the art director William C. Andrews and costumes were by Elizabeth Haffenden.

Lockwood called it "the story of a gay woman who had a very unhappy marriage and love affair, and ends up looking aged and worn. I shudder to remember just what a lifelike job the make-up men did on me for my "aged and worn" scenes."

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