A number of Winston Graham’s suspense novels were filmed, the most famous being
Marnie a psychological thriller which was directed by Alfred Hitchcock in 1964.
Hitchcock had originally hoped that Grace Kelly, by then married to Prince Ranier of
Monaco, would play the lead and she had agreed in principle, but the plan failed when
the principality of Monaco realised that the heroine was a thief, a liar and didn’t like
men – not the image they wanted for a Princess of the Realm. The leads were
Marnie a psychological thriller which was directed by Alfred Hitchcock in 1964.
Hitchcock had originally hoped that Grace Kelly, by then married to Prince Ranier of
Monaco, would play the lead and she had agreed in principle, but the plan failed when
the principality of Monaco realised that the heroine was a thief, a liar and didn’t like
men – not the image they wanted for a Princess of the Realm. The leads were
eventually taken by Tippi Hedren and Sean Connery.
Of his other suspense stories six were filmed, four for the large screen and two for
television. Take My Life (1947) featured Marius Goring, Night Without Stars (1951) had
David Farrar and Nadia Gray in the lead roles, Fortune is a Woman (1957) starred Jack
Hawkins and Arlene Dahl and The Walking Stick (1970) had David Hemmings and
Samantha Eggar. Angel, Pearl and Little God was also sold as a film, with Dustin
Hoffman due to take the lead, but in the event was never made. The Sleeping Partner
(1967) was made for TV as was The Forgotten Story (1983), an historical novel of the
nineteenth century, directed by John Jacobs and starring Angharad Rees.
television. Take My Life (1947) featured Marius Goring, Night Without Stars (1951) had
David Farrar and Nadia Gray in the lead roles, Fortune is a Woman (1957) starred Jack
Hawkins and Arlene Dahl and The Walking Stick (1970) had David Hemmings and
Samantha Eggar. Angel, Pearl and Little God was also sold as a film, with Dustin
Hoffman due to take the lead, but in the event was never made. The Sleeping Partner
(1967) was made for TV as was The Forgotten Story (1983), an historical novel of the
nineteenth century, directed by John Jacobs and starring Angharad Rees.
Bottom photos - left to right
On the set of Fortune is a Woman. Jack Hawkins and director Sidney Gilliat
The Walking Stick, (David Hemmings and Samantha Eggar)
Ross and Demelza in BBC Poldark series (Angharad Rees and Robin Ellis)
Top photos – down
Marnie film poster (1964)
Alfred Hitchcock, film director, on the set of Marnie with Tippi Hendren
Poldark (Angharad Rees, Martin Fisk, Gillian Bailey and Robin Ellis)
