Moss Rose

1947

1h 22m

IMDb RATING

6.4/10

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1 Video

7 Images

Mystery

Thriller

When a music-hall dancer is murdered, a moss rose marks the page of a Bible next to her body. Luckily, another chorus girl saw a gentleman leaving the lodgings. She approaches him directly, saying she'll go to the police if he doesn't meet her demands, but he brushes her off contemptuously. When he learns she's dead serious, he tries to buy her off with a thick wad of pound notes. But it's not money she's after; all she wants is two weeks at his country estate, living the life of a lady.

Directors

Gregory Ratoff

Writers

Niven Busch(adaptation by)

Marjorie Bowen(novel by)

Jules Furthman(screenplay by)

Stars

Peggy Cummins

Victor Mature

Ethel Barrymore

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Videos1

Clip
Watch 30-05-1947 - Rosas Trágicas - Moss Rose - Vincent Price - abertura do filme

Photos7

Top cast

Peggy Cummins

Belle Adair aka Rose Lynton

Victor Mature

Michael Drego

Ethel Barrymore

Lady Margaret Drego

Vincent Price

Police Inspector Clinner

Daisy Arrow

Craxton

Audrey Ashton

Deputy Inspector Evans

Norman Ainsley

Deputy Coroner (uncredited)

Harry Allen

Threadbare Little Man (uncredited)

Frank Baker

Lodger (uncredited)

Billy Bevan

Harry, Cab Driver (uncredited)

Dancer (uncredited)

Chemist (uncredited)

Dancer (uncredited)

Art Gallery Attendant (uncredited)

Leonard Carey

Coroner (uncredited)

Russ Clark

Constable (uncredited)

Directors

Gregory Ratoff

Writers

Niven Busch(adaptation by)

Marjorie Bowen(novel by)

Jules Furthman(screenplay by)

All cast & crew

Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

User reviews2

Review

Featured review

7.5/10

As I lay me down to sleep... Moss Rose is directed by Gregory Ratoff and adapted to screenplay by Niven Busch, Jules Furthman and Tom Reed from the novel The Crime of Laura Saurelle written by Joseph Shearing. It stars Peggy Cummins, Victor Mature, Ethel Barrymore, Vincent Price, Margo Woode, George Zucco, Patricia Medina and Rhys Williams. Music is by David Buttolph and cinematography by Joseph MacDonald. Somebody is killing Michael Drego's (Mature) lovers and leaving behind a bible and a compressed dried moss rose. When her dancer friend is one of the victims, Belle Adair (Cummins) thinks she knows who the killer is and sets about blackmailing him for an unusual request... British Gothic noir pulsing with maternal pangs and whodunit shenanigans, Moss Rose has much to recommend to the like minded adult. Lets not beat around the bush, though, motivations of the principal players are decidedly weak and the police fare little better in the brain department. However, once one settles into the atmosphere brought out by MacDonald's (Niagra/Pickup On South Street) beautiful photography - and got tuned into Cummins' brash London accent - then it can sustain interest. It's more successful as a mood piece when out on the London streets than it is at the Drego mansion, though the period design of costuming and sets is most appealing. Mature often came in for some stick for his acting, but I have sometimes thought much of it was unfair. Here though he is not quite right for the role, it feels like what it is, a name on the poster to draw the punters in. But his performance still works on sombre terms, besides which, Cummins and the wonderful Barrymore pretty much dominate proceedings anyway. Price fans should note that he isn't in it much, and even then it's late in the picture, but he's suitably stylish and you can't help thinking he probably should have had the Michael Drego role instead! Meanwhile Ratoff (Black Magic) directs without fuss and histrionic filler. An enjoyable ride with visual treats along the way, with a finale to nudge you to the edge of your seat. 7/10

John Chard02 Nov, 2013