The Voice of Merrill

The Voice of Merrill is a 1952 British drama film directed by John Gilling and starring Valerie Hobson, Edward Underdown, and James Robertson Justice. The film tells the story of a young and ambitious woman named Laura Pennington (played by Hobson), who marries wealthy businessman Philip Merrill (played by Underdown) and subsequently faces a series of challenges in her personal and professional life.

In the opening scenes of the movie, we see Laura Pennington working as a secretary in a publishing house. She is ambitious and intelligent, but struggles to climb the ranks due to her gender. This changes when she meets and falls in love with Philip Merrill, a wealthy and successful businessman who is immediately smitten with her. They get married and Laura leaves her job to become the lady of the house.

Their married life is blissful at first, but things take a turn for the worse when Philip's business suffers a major setback. He is forced to sell his company and start over, and Laura finds herself in the unfamiliar territory of supporting her husband through tough times. She decides to take up writing to earn some extra income, and soon becomes a successful author. However, this new career puts a strain on her marriage as Philip feels emasculated by his wife's success.

Meanwhile, Laura discovers that Philip has been keeping a secret from her - he had an affair with a close friend and colleague, Mona (played by Simone Silva), during a difficult period in their marriage. Laura is devastated by the revelation and seeks comfort in her writing, which ultimately leads her to make a choice between her marriage and her career.

The Voice of Merrill explores themes of gender roles, ambition, and the sacrifices people make for love. Valerie Hobson delivers a powerful performance as Laura, portraying her as a complex and nuanced character who navigates the challenges of marriage and career with strength and vulnerability. Edward Underdown is equally impressive as Philip, bringing depth and nuance to a character who could have easily been portrayed as one-dimensional. James Robertson Justice provides comic relief as Laura's eccentric publisher, adding a lightness to the otherwise serious subject matter.

The film is tightly paced and well-directed, with Gilling skillfully balancing the drama and humor of the story. The cinematography is also noteworthy, with the use of shadows and light adding to the film's melancholic tone. The Voice of Merrill is a must-watch for fans of classic British cinema, and a testament to the talents of its cast and crew.