Daybreak (1948)

Interesting facts

Daybreak is a 1948 British drama film directed by Compton Bennett and starring Eric Portman, Ann Todd and Maxwell Reed. It was written by Muriel and Sydney Box based on the 1946 play Grim Fairy Tale by Monckton Hoffe.

Production

In July 1945 Box bought the screen rights to a story by Monckton Hoffe called Grim Fairy Tale, intending to make it a vehicle for Todd. Box was impressed by the style and themes of psychological cinema made before the war in French cinema, and wanted to do a British film along these lines.

It was the first film of a new 14-picture quarter-million pound contract between Todd and J. Arthur Rank (she was to make six films with Box and eight with Rank). Crawford's casting was announced in January 1946. It was known at one stage as Streets Paved with Water.

Filming started in March 1946 and went for ten weeks. It was the first notable role of Maxwell Reed who had been in The Company of Youth (he later made The Brothers for Box).

Sidney Box's sister Betty worked on the movie. Shooting was difficult with none of the three leads getting along. In April 1946 it was reported that Brock Williams was directing.

Box saw a rough cut in July 1946 and was unhappy with the result, particularly Bennett's direction and Todd's performance. Over the next six months, Box reworked the script, particularly the beginning and ending. Alan Osbiston was hired to reshoot scenes and re-edit the movie. In January 1947 Muriel Box was still dissatisfied.

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