A.J. Cronin's Hatter's Castle

Original title: Hatter's Castle

1942
1h 42m

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Deborah Kerr, James Mason, and Robert Newton in A.J. Cronin's Hatter's Castle (1942)

James Brodie (Robert Newton) is the only hatter in a small area in Scotland. Ruthless in business as well as at home, he is a tyrant to his family and intimidating to everyone he knows. But,... Read allJames Brodie (Robert Newton) is the only hatter in a small area in Scotland. Ruthless in business as well as at home, he is a tyrant to his family and intimidating to everyone he knows. But, when his mistress convinces him to give her "step-brother" Denis (former boyfriend) a job... Read allJames Brodie (Robert Newton) is the only hatter in a small area in Scotland. Ruthless in business as well as at home, he is a tyrant to his family and intimidating to everyone he knows. But, when his mistress convinces him to give her "step-brother" Denis (former boyfriend) a job at the hat shop, tragedy starts creeping towards all involved with Brodie.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.0/10

408

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

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Trivia
The Tay Bridge was a real bridge that collapsed in Dundee, Scotland, during a violent storm on 28 December 1879. (No passengers and crew on board a crossing train survived the disaster). Though long since replaced, some ruins of the structure can still be seen at the location as of 2009.

Goofs
When the real Tay Bridge collapsed, it was the center section, which was made of high girder through trusses. However, the film shows the low deck trusses collapsing.

Quotes
Lord Winton: After all, it's not essential to belong to the peerage, is it?

Connections
Featured in Film Preview: Episode #1.3 (1966)

Soundtracks
There Is a Tavern in the Town
(uncredited)
Traditional
Arranged by Horace Shepherd
Sylvester Music Ltd

User reviews17

Review

Featured review

9/10

A thoroughly brutal display of tyranny

It's a ghastly story and as close to a horror tale as you can get within the limits of realism. It was A.J.Cronin's first major novel and very Dickensian as such, telling an alternative Scrooge story without the main character ever learning his lesson. So things go consistently from bad to worse all the way through. James Mason and Deborah Kerr, both still very young here, provide some kind of a balance against all the wicked tyranny but not enough to bandage the very serious wounds of this gruesome detailed account of tyranny. Robert Newton is magnificent as always in his consistent viciousness, and all the other actors are perfect as well. The one thing you could object against here is the meaning and reason for A.J.Cronin to tell such a story.