Separate Tables (1958)
First screened in March 2000 / Most recently screened in March 2006
Director: Delbert Mann. Cast: Burt Lancaster, Rita Hayworth, David Niven, Deborah Kerr, Wendy Hiller, Gladys Cooper, Rod Taylor, Audrey Dalton, Cathleen Nesbitt, Felix Aylmer, Priscilla Morgan, Hilda Plowright. Screenplay: Terrence Rattigan and John Gay (based on the play by Terrence Rattigan).

 Twitter Capsule: Trojan horse, aka apparent gift to actors that prompts most of them to overdo it. Departures from play don't help.

VOR: ②  Without its Oscars, I doubt this would survive in popular memory. The 1984 TV version at least keeps the play's casting conceit, but both films suggest a property not worth preserving.


Photo © 1958 United Artists

Not yet reviewed in full. Grade: C

(in March 2000: C–)

Academy Award Nominations and Winners:
Best Picture
Best Actress: Deborah Kerr
★Best Actor: David Niven
★Best Supporting Actress: Wendy Hiller
Best Adapted Screenplay: Terrence Rattigan & John Gay
Best Cinematography (Black & White): Charles Lang
Best Original Score (Drama/Comedy): David Raksin

Golden Globe Nominations and Winners:
Best Picture (Drama)
Best Director: Delbert Mann
Best Actress (Drama): Deborah Kerr
★Best Actor (Drama): David Niven
Best Supporting Actress: Wendy Hiller

Other Awards:
New York Film Critics Circle: Best Actor (Niven)
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