This is "Angel Street" as seen from the viewpoint of the maid. Jean Simmons takes over the scullery maid role from "Gaslight's" Angela Lansbury and basically kicks the rest of the servants to the curb after discovering that the master (Stewart Granger) was responsible for the poisoning death of his controlling wife. Simmons utilizes this information to become the housekeeper with the goal of eventually becoming the new mistress. This causes the nasty cook and gardener to quit in protest, and Simmons insists to Granger that they do not need anybody else. But Granger, who finds out that the pretty Belinda Lee is in love with him, sets out to silence Simmons, and that's where the English fog comes in handy on a dark night where Granger sets out to commit more mayhem.
Attractively photographed in color and featuring one of the most lush musical scores (by Benjamin Frankel) I've ever heard that nobody else seems to know, "Footsteps in the Fog" is a great movie in practically every aspect. It reminds me also of the types of movies Granger and James Mason did with Margaret Lockwood in the mid 40's such as "The Wicked Lady" and "A Place of Ones Own". Simmons, playing a seemingly nervous waif at first, really rises above her station to stand up for her dignity, and gives it good to the dashing villain Granger, handsome with his salt and pepper hair and magnificent speaking voice. It is obvious what ends up happening between them; The script leaves pretty much nothing to the imagination.
Cleft-chinned Bill Travers (who grew a beard later when he starred in the classic "Born Free") plays the young attorney, in love with Lee, who defends Granger but suspects that there is something sinister about him. Margery Rhodes is delightfully nasty as the crass cook who harasses Simmons unmercifully until Simmons snaps and gets her revenge in the most delicious way. Barry Keegan is touching as the constable on Granger's beat who suffers a tragedy yet continues to patrol the same beat in order to solve the crime which took his wife away from him and their two sons. William Hartnell also scores in a small role as Simmons' brother-in-law who uses information he gets to his own advantage which ultimately backfires on him yet twists the plot to its delightful conclusion. Fans of "Downton Abbey" and "Upstairs, Downstairs" should find this to their liking with its scandals of the well-to-do told in glorious color with gorgeous costumes and scenery and the portrait of the dead mistress looking very much alive and in control beyond the grave.
Attractively photographed in color and featuring one of the most lush musical scores (by Benjamin Frankel) I've ever heard that nobody else seems to know, "Footsteps in the Fog" is a great movie in practically every aspect. It reminds me also of the types of movies Granger and James Mason did with Margaret Lockwood in the mid 40's such as "The Wicked Lady" and "A Place of Ones Own". Simmons, playing a seemingly nervous waif at first, really rises above her station to stand up for her dignity, and gives it good to the dashing villain Granger, handsome with his salt and pepper hair and magnificent speaking voice. It is obvious what ends up happening between them; The script leaves pretty much nothing to the imagination.
Cleft-chinned Bill Travers (who grew a beard later when he starred in the classic "Born Free") plays the young attorney, in love with Lee, who defends Granger but suspects that there is something sinister about him. Margery Rhodes is delightfully nasty as the crass cook who harasses Simmons unmercifully until Simmons snaps and gets her revenge in the most delicious way. Barry Keegan is touching as the constable on Granger's beat who suffers a tragedy yet continues to patrol the same beat in order to solve the crime which took his wife away from him and their two sons. William Hartnell also scores in a small role as Simmons' brother-in-law who uses information he gets to his own advantage which ultimately backfires on him yet twists the plot to its delightful conclusion. Fans of "Downton Abbey" and "Upstairs, Downstairs" should find this to their liking with its scandals of the well-to-do told in glorious color with gorgeous costumes and scenery and the portrait of the dead mistress looking very much alive and in control beyond the grave.