Dark Interval (1950)
A gothic British crime drama where a new bride uncovers dark secrets lurking within her husband's imposing family mansion.
Dark Interval - Movie Information
Dark Interval - Plot
A young woman marries and moves into her husband's family mansion. She soon discovers that neither the house, nor her husband, is exactly what it seems to be.
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Dark Interval - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Charles Saunders
Main Cast
- Zena Marshall
- Andrew Osborn
- John Barry
- John Le Mesurier
- Mona Washbourne
Writers
- John Gilling
Dark Interval - FAQs
What is Dark Interval about?
Dark Interval follows a young woman who marries and moves into her husband's grand family mansion, only to find that both the house and the man she wed are hiding troubling secrets. It's a tense, atmospheric British crime drama that leans into gothic suspense and domestic unease.
Is Dark Interval based on a true story?
Dark Interval is not based on a true story. It's an original crime drama scripted by John Gilling, a prolific British screenwriter known for his work in genre pictures of the 1940s and 1950s. The story draws on classic gothic thriller conventions rather than real-life events.
Who are the main actors in Dark Interval?
The cast is led by Zena Marshall as Sonia Jordan and Andrew Osborn as her husband Walter. They're joined by John Barry as Trevor, John Le Mesurier as Cedric the butler, and Mona Washbourne — a solid ensemble of British character actors well suited to this kind of moody thriller.
What makes the mansion central to the story?
The mansion functions as far more than a backdrop — it becomes a character in its own right. Its hidden corners and oppressive atmosphere mirror the secrets Sonia uncovers about her husband. This use of a sinister domestic space is a hallmark of the gothic crime tradition the film inhabits.
Who directed Dark Interval?
Dark Interval was directed by Charles Saunders, a British filmmaker active in the 1940s and 1950s who worked across a range of low-budget genre pictures. His efficient, no-frills style suits the film's tight 60-minute runtime and its focus on building tension within confined, claustrophobic spaces.
What genre is Dark Interval?
Dark Interval blends crime and drama, with a strong undercurrent of gothic suspense. It fits comfortably alongside other British quota quickies of the era that drew on the popularity of domestic mystery thrillers — think hidden identities, shadowy houses, and marriages that conceal dangerous truths.
What are similar films to Dark Interval?
If you enjoy Dark Interval's gothic domestic tension, you might also appreciate House of Usher (1960), Death Takes a Holiday (1934), or The Exterminating Angel (1962). For something closer in tone and era, The Secret Garden (1987) and Holiday (1938) share that sense of unease lurking beneath polished surfaces.
How long is Dark Interval?
Dark Interval runs just 60 minutes — a brisk, focused runtime typical of British quota quickies from the early 1950s. The compact length keeps the pacing tight and the tension concentrated, making it an efficient watch for fans of classic crime drama and vintage British thrillers.
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