In case you hadn’t noticed, I’ve been on a bit of a Yorkshire kick this week. Today, I’m sharing a film that I just watched for the first time last week: Bedelia. I was really excited to get my mitts on it because I love Margaret Lockwood movies. It’s based on the novel of the same name, written by Vera Caspary (she wrote Laura, too), but the action has been moved from Connecticut to Monte Carlo and Yorkshire (see? there’s a tie-in!). Bedelia (Margaret Lockwood) is a young widow who has just remarried and is on her honeymoon in Monte Carlo with husband Charlie (Ian Hunter) when painter Ben Chaney (Barry K. Barnes) makes their acquaintance, desperate to paint Bedelia. The only problem? Bedelia hates to be photographed and doesn’t even want anything to do with sitting for a portrait. She reluctantly agrees and Ben follows Bedelia and Charlie home to Yorkshire. What is Ben really after? Is Bedelia really who she says she is?

I hate it when reviews give too much away, so I’ll leave it there. If you get the chance to see Bedelia (not currently on DVD, unfortunately), go for it. I always think Margaret Lockwood is great fun, especially when she’s being melodramatic and there’s lots of room for melodrama in this film. Plus, check out Bedelia’s fabulous dressing gown (above). Margaret Lockwood did a lot of historical dramas in the 40s, so it’s fun to see her in contemporary clothes. Brace yourself for more Lockwood movies in the future!
Photos:
Margaret Lockwood
Ian Hunter and Margaret Lockwood