Bunny Lake Is Missing (1965)

Director:

Otto Preminger

Writers:

Marryam Modell (novel)
John Mortimer (writer) ...

Release Date:

3 October 1965 (USA)

Genre:

Mystery | Thriller

Tagline:

No one admitted while the clock is ticking!

Plot:

A woman reports that her young daughter is missing, but there seems to be no evidence that she ever existed.

Plot Keywords:

England | Passenger Ship | School Child | Movers | Child Care Center

Awards:

Nominated for 2 BAFTA Film Awards. Another 1 nomination

Cast

Laurence Olivier	...	Supt. Newhouse
Carol Lynley	...	Ann Lake
Keir Dullea	...	Stephen Lake
Martita Hunt	...	Ada Ford
Anna Massey	...	Elvira Smollett
Clive Revill	...	Sergeant Andrews
Lucie Mannheim	...	The Cook
Finlay Currie	...	Doll-maker
Rod Argent	...	Himself (as The Zombies)
Paul Atkinson	...	Himself (as The Zombies)
Colin Blunstone	...	Himself (as The Zombies)
Hugh Grundy	...	Himself (as The Zombies)
Chris White	...	Himself (as The Zombies)
Noel Coward	...	Horatio Wilson (as Noël Coward)
Adrienne Corri	...	Dorothy

Also Known As:

Bunny Lake è scomparsa (Italy) [it]
Bunny Lake a disparu (France) [fr]
Bunny Lake ist verschwunden (West Germany) [de]
Bunny Lake savnes (Denmark) [da]
Bunny on kadonnut (Finland) [fi]
Desapareceu Bunny Lake (Portugal) [pt]
Rapto de Bunny Lake, El (Spain) [es]
Ypoptos tou pyrgou tou Londinou, O (Greece) [el]

Runtime:

107 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Certification:

West Germany:16 (f) (original version) | West Germany:12 (f) (cut version) | Finland:K-16 | Sweden:15

Filming Locations:

Cannon Hall - 14 Cannon Place, Off East Heath Road, Hampstead, London, England, UK

Company:

Wheel Productions

Trivia:

Columbia Pictures wanted Otto Preminger to cast Jane Fonda as Ann Lake, who was eager to play the role, but Preminger insisted upon using Carol Lynley.

Quotes:

Doll-maker: This doll had almost been loved to death. You know, love inflicts the most terrible injuries on my small patients.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Dead Talk Back (#7.3)" (1994)

Soundtrack:

Just Out of Reach

A missing near-masterpiece

I first heard of this movie due to the involvement of the famous graphic designer Saul Bass who is responsible for the creative opening credits and the stark poster artwork. It's not the best movie you'll never see but it is well worth hunting out. It's has a few moments that bear a passing resemblance to Hitchcock with well choreographed background happenings as well as some truly dizzying camera movements. It really will keep you guessing until near the end. Noel Coward's character unfortunately appears to serve no significant purpose as do a few other occurrences but you could look at this as Preminger's attempt to totally throw you off the scent. As mentioned by a previous reviewer, there is considerable demand for a DVD/VHS release (preferably letterboxed, the opening credits are well worth it). It was on TV in the UK last week (the first time I'd seen it) and I'm kicking myself for not taping it as it was a really fresh print. Search this one out...