Kim Novak

The Mirror Crack’d (1980)

Posted on by Kent Film Office
Angela Lansbury, Rock Hudson and Edward Fox stood having a conversation in front of a window with beige curtains

Angela Lansbury, Rock Hudson and Edward Fox © Columbia-Warner Distributors

Starring: Angela Lansbury, Elizabeth Taylor, Rock Hudson, Tony Curtis, Geraldine Chaplin, Edward Fox and Kim Novak

Production Company: G.W. Films, EMI Films

Kent Locations used: St Clere Estate, Smarden, Shoreham

The Mirror Crack’d is a detective drama based on an Agatha Christie novel of the same name. In this instalment of the Miss Marple Franchise, a visiting Hollywood production has come to the town of St Mary Mead. The story focuses on the life of Marina Rudd (Elizabeth Taylor), a veteran actress competing for the spotlight with a younger actress, Lola (Kim Novak), in an upcoming production. When a local resident is poisoned at a grand reception, it is thought that Marina herself was the intended victim.

Angela Lansbury (Bedknobs and Broomsticks, Murder She Wrote, Beauty and the Beast) stars as Miss Jane Marple alongside Elizabeth Taylor (Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf, Cleopatra), Tony Curtis (Some Like it Hot), Rock Hudson (Dynasty, McMilan & Wife, Pillow Talk), Geraldine Chaplin (Remember my Name, Doctor Zhivago) Edward Fox (Gandi, Never Say Never Again) and Kim Novak (The Great Bank Robbery, Falcon Crest).

St Clere Estate, Heaverham in the Sevenoaks District of Kent is a private, family run country estate that today prides itself on being an ideal location for filming and photography, due to its period architecture and beautiful grounds. In this episode, it was perfect of the setting for Gossington Hall, the grand home of the Rudds.

 Ye Olde George Inn and a Bridge on Church Street in Shoreham are both noticeable in the production, doubling as part of the village of St Mary Mead. Shoreham is a picturesque village near Sevenoaks, famous for its traditional pubs and annual May Day duck race.

The village of Smarden and St Michaels Church are also used to double as the village of St Mary Mead. The Thatched House in Smarden was used as Miss Marple’s cottage. Smarden is located in the Ashford district of Kent, and the traditional thatched houses and village shops made it a perfect filming location.

The Mirror Crack’d was first released in February 1980 and is now available to buy on DVD.

 

For more information about Kent’s Filming History please visit our Movie Map. 

The Amorous Adventures of Moll Flanders (1965)

Posted on by Kent Film Office
The Amorous Adventures of Moll Flanders film poster- a man holding the hand of a women and whispering in her ear on a purple background- The Amorous Adventures of Moll Flanders is written in white

The Amorous Adventures of Moll Flanders film poster © Winchester Productions

Director: Terence Young
Writer: Denis Cannan, Roland Kibbee based on Daniel Defoe’s novel “Moll Flanders”
Starring: Kim Novak, Richard Johnson, Angela Lansbury
Production Company: Winchester Productions
Locations used: Chilham, St Mary’s Church, Chilham Castle

Based on Daniel Defoe’s novel Moll Flanders, the 1965 adaptation titled The Amorous Adventures of Moll Flanders (1965) is set in the 18th century and follows a young house maid who has many love affairs in the hope to reach the top of society.

The film is a comedy directed by Terence Young (Dr. No, Thunderball) and stars Kim Novak (The Mirror Crack’d (1980), Vertigo) as Moll Flanders alongside Richard Johnson (The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, The Haunting) and Angela Lansbury (Murder, She Wrote, Bedknobs and Broomsticks).

Chilham square doubles as the village where Moll grew up, Chilham Castle features as the Mayor’s House and St Mary’s Church is used for the scenes where Moll marries Younger Brother.

Chilham is a popular filming location renowned for its beautiful charm and stunning square with fifteenth century of black and white timbered buildings. Productions that have previously filmed in Chilham include Emma(2009) and Battle of Britain (1969).

The Amorous Adventures of Moll Flanders (1965) was released in the UK on Thursday 22nd July 1965 and is now available to purchase on DVD.

For more information about Kent’s Filming History please visit our Movie Map.