Women Of Twilight (Vintage Classics) [Blu-ray]

Product Information

Role in Twilight lets student shine". Daily Vanguard. 2008-03-05. Archived from the original on 2008-03-07 . Retrieved 2008-03-05.

John and James Woolf of Romulus Films had first enquired about the property even before its presentation at the Embassy Theatre; the leading players they had in mind at this early stage were Flora Robson and Ida Lupino. [23] Among the changes made to Rayman's play was the introduction of Vivianne's condemned lover Jerry Nolan (called Johnny Stanton in the play), a role assigned to the Woolf contract player Laurence Harvey. In addition, the enigmatic character of Laura became a continental boarder called Lilli. The British Board of Film Censors objected to some of the script's dialogue; to ensure an X certificate, "your rotten little bastards" had to be changed to "your rotten little brats", "you sanctimonious little bitch" to "you sanctimonious little fool" and "I was raped" to "I was taken advantage of." Caution was also advised regarding the climactic scene in which Helen throws the pregnant Vivianne down a flight of stairs. [24] The latest production at the Pleasance Theatre in Islington sees Women of Twilight return to the stage after a successful run at the White Bear Theatre last season. STUDIOCANAL has announced a brand-new restoration and first ever DVD, Blu-ray and Digital release of the lost 1950s gem: Women of Twilight, on March 27.

Contribute to This Page

What we are left with is a film that will be of interest to the film historian, given it was the UK’s first X-rated film, and will be seen as art very much reflecting the society of the time. A mere ten years from The Beatles and Dr No, we have a film predicated on the twin ideas that a women getting involved with someone who then commits a crime is immoral herself in some way, and that single mothers can have no complaints if they live in squalor ( and if they do note mistreatment, it is unlikely that they will be believed, as they will be assumed to be of a lower quality of character in the first place). The Spectator, October 1951: "Miss Rayman has written her first play around a revolting character who makes a comfortable income by taking unmarried mothers and their infants into her Hampstead home ... Virtue triumphs on the Embassy stage but it does not always triumph outside the theatre, and one is left wondering just what does happen to such girls who have neither friends nor relatives to turn to and who escape the welfare of the State for some reason. The piece is very well acted by Barbara Couper, Vida Hope, Rene Ray and the rest of a company entirely of women." [16]

The film stays true to the central premise of Sylvia Rayman’s drama which was to draw attention to the stigma of, and wider prejudice against unmarried mothers living in postwar Britain, issues that had not previously been highlighted by British cinema. Not only does the choice of subject matter make this film groundbreaking but the fact that it features an almost all-female cast and is based upon a play written by a then 28 year old woman also places it years ahead of its time. Of further significant note is that due to its then controversial storyline and the language that was originally used in the play – words like “bastards”, “brats”, and “bitch” – Women of Twilightwas the first British film to be given an X-certificate meaning that it could only be seen by anyone who was 16 years and over. Women of Twilight was the first British film to receive an X certificate in the UK (though it must be noted that it had existed only since the previous year, replacing the H Certificate). This is clearly, at least in part, a reflection of the morality of the time. The women are societal outcasts, treated in much the same way as ethnic minorities in this era: unable to rent, and considered morally inferior. An intelligent revival of a deeply evocative play from the post war era. Highlights some important points in the struggle for women’s rights.Sixty years later we still live in an era swamped with heartbreaking reports of failing social services, domestic abuse and child poverty. Single mothers still face social stigma. Many of the most vulnerable still have no alternative but to live in shelters. Sadly, there will always be unscrupulous individuals who seek to exploit the least fortunate for their own means. This is a play with strong social conscience, which resonates as strongly today as it did then. By this time, Hylton and Hawtrey had already taken the play on an ill-fated excursion to New York, where it opened at the Plymouth Theatre on 3 March, was deemed "repulsive" [11] by local critics and closed on 8 March after only eight performances. This production marked the only Broadway appearance for such British actresses as Betty Ann Davies, Miriam Karlin, Gwen Watford and June Whitfield. Trade shown on 4 November 1952, the film opened at the Plaza, Piccadilly Circus on 15 January 1953, with general release following from 23 February. Press responses ranged from "Though grossly overacted by all in sight, the film will draw pity from those who know how harsh the world can be" [25] to "Before virtue triumphs we are treated to a great deal of horror and degradation ... It is not only rapacious boarding-house keepers and baby-farmers who exploit the misfortunes of unmarried mothers. Where would popular playwrights and film producers be without them?" [26] Posted by Phil on Feb 14, 2023 in All, documentary, DVD/Blu-ray, Film, News, Theatre, thriller | 0 comments

Jonathan Rigby, the director, writes a perceptive programme note about his reasons for wanting to revive this play from the ’Fifties (which, made into a film, achieved the distinction of being the first British movie to be accorded the newly established ‘X’ certificate). As a play, he thinks, it anticipated the kitchen sink school of drama usually supposed to have begun in 1956. According to producer Daniel Angel, his original plan had been to couple the film with another 'social problem' picture (again based on a controversial play), Cosh Boy directed by Lewis Gilbert. "Jimmy Woolf had these two stories," he said, "and we made the films with the idea of showing them in cinemas together on the one programme. They turned out better than we'd expected and we showed them separately." [27] Disgrace was only the first of such women’s difficulties. With no husband or father present to pay the bills, they had to find paid employment. Hence they also had to find someone to look after their disgraceful offspring. The people who did this did it purely for money. In general, like society at large, they despised their clients. And, it frequently came to pass; their true clients were not the mothers of the children they sheltered, but other, married women who were infertile, hovering in the wings ready to buy their way out of their difficulty. compositor: CIS Vancouver (as Juan Pablo Allgier) / matte painter: CIS Vancouver (as Juan Pablo Allgier) As one of the characters points out, the public doesn't want to know or hear what happens to the young women who are dismissed as shameless and who in the mid-20th century were still being treated like the "fallen" women of Victorian novels. With her silky tones, middle-class vowels and air of authority, Helen's word holds more sway than that of the young women unfortunate enough to enter her domain like flies entering a spider's web. No wonder she gets away with larceny, child neglect and worse.Larry Carroll (2009-02-23). " 'Twilight' Star Robert Pattinson Talks 'New Moon,' 'Eclipse' and 'Breaking Dawn' ". MTV . Retrieved 2009-03-03. Chelsea Palace, London, Metropolitan Theatre, Edgware Road, and other locations 6 th April – 22 nd August 1953. Some of the language was ultimately sanitised for the film market, but that doesn’t detract from this still being a bold and gritty piece of cinematic history. With its references to rape, infanticide, and prostitution, and given the prevailing attitudes of the day, the film was also seen as being highly controversial. It was originally intended to be part of a double bill with Cosh Boy, starring Joan Collinsand another film focussing upon a different contemporary issue – this time that of juvenile delinquency – but eventually Women of Twilightwas to enjoy its own individual release. Taylor Lautner with Kristen Stewart in The Twilight Saga – New Moon, 2009. Photograph: Sportsphoto/Allstar a b c Nicole Sperling (2009-08-18). " 'Twilight Saga: Eclipse' beings production today". Entertainment Weekly . Retrieved 2009-08-18.

As a hangout space The Pleasance lives up to its name. The chirpy staff and apartment style front of house, with its sprawling sofas and walls of photographic stills from previous productions, make it a relaxing place to while away a couple hours. Great for a play like this, which leaves plenty of room for post theatre discussion. Additionally, Women of Twilight is a play which really deserves to be seen by many more people, so the move from The White Bear to the higher capacity Pleasance seems like a natural choice. Chapman, J. (2022). The Money Behind the Screen: A History of British Film Finance, 1945-1985. Edinburgh University Press p 358

Side guide

Amy Wilkinson (2009-10-16). " 'Eclipse' Casting News: 'Kyle XY' Actress Kirsten Prout Lands Role Of Lucy". MTV . Retrieved 2009-10-30.