Jean Kent Movies

A classic in gothic-romantic excess, Madonna of Seven Moons was one of the most successful British films of its genre. Though she doesn't know it at first, young convent-bred Rosalinda (Phyllis Calvert) has been born under a curse: before her life comes to a close, she will be wife, mother and mistress all in one. As a child, Rosalinda is raped by a gypsy, an experience that renders her a schizophrenic. Years later, she is the seemingly contented wife of prosperous Italian businessman Giuseppe (John Stuart) and the mother of attractive teenager Angela (Patricia Roc). From time to time, however, Rosalinda disappears from her home and retreats to the slums of Florence, where she assumes the identity of lustful gypsy girl Maddelina, the mistress of criminal leader Nino (Stewart Granger). Then she returns to her husband and daughter, completely unaware of her "other" self or even that she's been absent. Understandably curious about her mother's long absences, Angela follows Rosalinda during one of her sojourns into the Florentine underworld. Far from home and hearth, poor Angela is targetted for seduction by Sandro (Peter Glenville)--the very gypsy who'd assaulted the younger Rosalinda! And just when it seems that things can't get any more unbelievable?..well, this one is definitely better seen than described. Originally released at 100 minutes, Madonna of Seven Moons was expertly cut to 88 minutes for US consumption. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Rex Harrison stars in this stylish British drama that caused problems with U.S. censors, who forced the film to be trimmed due to what was considered graphically amoral and sexual content for its time. Harrison is Vivian Kenway, an unrepentant cad who embarks on a campaign of irresponsible behavior after being ejected from Oxford. Among his many sins are seducing Jill Duncan (Jean Kent), the wife of his best friend Sandy (Griffith Jones), marrying a rich Austrian Jew, Rikki Krausner (Lilli Palmer), for her money, and dallying with the secretary (Margaret Johnson) of his father, Colonel Kenway (Godfrey Tearle). The feckless Vivian's actions cause no small amount of collateral damage to his loved ones, including the drunken death of his father and the attempted suicide of Rikki. Vivian ends up serving in World War II, however, where his non-heroic ultimate sacrifice may (or may not) redeem him. The Rake's Progress (1945 was released in the U.S. under the title Notorious Gentleman. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide

Four pilots are forced to bail out, and they end up stuck upon a remote tropical island filled with beautiful women. This musical comedy chronicles their adventures. Things go well for the flying Sea Bees as the women fawn upon them and cater to their every whim. Soon they find themselves four wives, and it is not until it is nearly too late that they discover why there are no men on the island--- all husbands are expected to commit suicide following their honeymoons. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

The "2000 Women" of the film's title are the female inmates in a WW II German concentration camp in France. Though many of the women don't get along, they are united in their hatred for their Nazi captors. The story takes a truly melodramatic turn when three English airmen parachute into the camp, offering a ray of hope for those inmates planning an escape. Some of the humor is "black" indeed, involving a card-playing corpse and other questionable sources of laughter, but this was the sort of material that wartime audiences wanted. Heading the cast of 2000 Women are Phyllis Calvert, Flora Robson and Patricia Roc, fine British actresses all who overcome an abundance of script deficiencies. The film was the first production of Individual Pictures, formed by the producer-director-writer team of Frank Launder and Sidney Gilliat. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In this period drama from England, Fanny Hopwood (Phyllis Calvert), upon graduating from finishing school, returns to her family's home in London. However, bad luck awaits her at nearly every turn. After her father is killed in a fist fight by the aristocratic but dastardly Lord Manderstoke (James Mason), whose social standing saves him from prosecution, Fanny learns that he was not in fact her real father, and that she is actually the bastard daughter of a member of Parliament. Shortly after this revelation, Fanny's mother dies, and Fanny receives yet another shock when she learns that her parents supported themselves by running a brothel. Now an orphan, Fanny is sent to live with her biological father, an uncomfortable situation made even more difficult thanks to the resentment of his wife and the couple's friendship with Lord Manderstoke, who has romantic designs on young Fanny. Fanny is able to take comfort in a budding romance with Harry Somerford (Stewart Granger), her father's secretary, and a warm friendship with Chunks (Wilfred Lawson), the family butler. However, Fanny's happiness with Harry may be short-lived, as her stepmother threatens to reveal the tragedy and scandal of her past. Based on the novel by Michael Sadleir, Fanny by Gaslight was released in the U. S. under the title Man of Evil. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

In this WW II espionage drama, German paratroopers drop into England to take over Buckley Hall and kidnap the lord within. Following the abduction, they replace him with an impostor. They then replace the staff with German operatives and begin waiting for the expected guest, Winston Churchill, to arrive. Fortunately, the lord's niece was in the house during the entire operation. Soon she creeps out and goes for help. The British army arrives and wipes out the evil household before the Prime Minister arrives. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide