Seance on a Wet Afternoon

About Seance on a Wet Afternoon

"Seance on a Wet Afternoon" is a 1964 British film directed by Bryan Forbes, based on the novel by Mark McShane. The story revolves around Myra Savage, a medium, and her unemployed husband Billy who hatch a plan to kidnap a wealthy couple's daughter for ransom to establish Myra’s psychic credibility. However, as the scheme unfolds, their lives are irrevocably changed.

Making / Production

The film was produced by Richard Attenborough and Bryan Forbes under the banner of Allied Film Makers. The screenplay was written by Bryan Forbes. Cinematography was provided by Gerry Turpin and the movie was edited by Derek York.

Actors

• Kim Stanley played the role of Myra, a spiritually gifted woman. She portrayed the complexities of Myra's character brilliantly, showing a woman caught between her belief in her abilities and her need for recognition.
• Richard Attenborough portrayed the role of Billy, Myra's submissive husband. He adeptly carried the part of a man torn between his love for his wife and his moral compass.
• Nanette Newman portrayed the role of the kidnapped child's mother. Her performance effectively conveyed the fear and desperation of a parent in a dire situation.
• Mark Eden played Charles Clayton, the father of the kidnapped girl. He convincingly portrayed a father's anguish and determination to get his daughter back.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• In the original novel, Myra was a psychic and the kidnap plot was only a minor subplot. However, for the film adaptation, the kidnapping plot was expanded upon and Myra's psychic abilities were downplayed.
• The character of Billy was initially intended for Dirk Bogarde, but it eventually went to Richard Attenborough.
• The famous horror author Stephen King cited "Seance on a Wet Afternoon" as one of his favorite films in his book "Danse Macabre".

Awards

Kim Stanley was nominated for the Best Actress Award by the Academy Awards, BAFTA Awards, and the New York Film Critics Circle for her performance in the film.

Quotes

• "I tell you, Billy...I'm going to be somebody...and you're going to help me..." - Myra
• "I can't take it anymore, Myra. It's as if I'm living in a nightmare..." - Billy

Music, Soundtrack

• The musical score for the film was composed by John Barry, imbuing the narrative with a sense of eeriness and suspense.
• The haunting main theme, "Seance on a Wet Afternoon", sets the perfect mood for the film's blend of psychological drama and crime thriller.