Bunny Lake Is Missing
Directed by Otto Preminger
Written by John and Penelope Mortimer from a novel by Marryam Modell
1965/UK
Wheel Productions
First viewing/Netflix rental
[box] Doll-maker: This doll had almost been loved to death. You know, love inflicts the most terrible injuries on my small patients.[/box]
Although it was very nice to look at, I could not suspend my disbelief long enough to enjoy this thriller.
Americans Ann Lake (Carol Lynley) and her brother Steven (Keir Dullea) have just arrived in London where he has work. It is the first day at nursery school for her 4 1/2 year old illegitimate daughter Bunny, named after Ann’s imaginary childhood friend. Ann leaves the girl at the school and goes to greet the movers. When she returns, Bunny is missing. Furthermore, no one can actually remember seeing her.
Superintendent Newhouse (Laurence Olivier) of Scotland Yard takes up the search. Ann and Steven do what they can to assist. Investigators meet frustration at every turn. Is Bunny Lake missing? With Noel Coward as a weirdo neighbor.
The B&W cinematography is stunning and, though Lynley is weak in the lead, the acting is very good in the main. Yet I was not impressed. The whole thing seemed forced and builds to an ending that will not withstand 30 seconds of scrutiny. Maybe I have been spoiled by too much thirties viewing and need to ease my way into the 60’s?
Since I strongly assume you’ll never even watch let alone review Watching the Detectives (2007)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0472205/
Then I gotta get the lost theme for this in here (my fav Costello!)…this one for the visuals!
If i’m Alive in 2030 who knows what I will be watching!?
I know this is not the place but your reply meant I just had to play this immediately…it’s on “The List”…..twice, It’s only 5 years out!
Superb visuals too….why the heck is it geobloicked
Not geo-blocked for me fortunately. Awesome video.
I kind of love Bunny Lake Is Missing. I honestly can’t argue with any of the criticisms. I’ve seen it maybe three times, mostly because it just seems to be on TCM right when I feel like watching some moody 1960s thriller/mystery in crisp black and white.
I watched it with my mother once and she sort of has the same fascination with it. I think it works – barely! – just from sheer audacity!
Can’t disagree with you on the crisp black and white! Actually I was behind the whole thing until the brother and sister psychodrama at the end. Where exactly was Bunny Lake? In the trunk of the car the whole time???
I assume she was in a flat somewhere sitting in front of a TV, endlessly fascinated by Pepa Pig cartoons. Living on mushy peas and fish and chips provided by a kindly Cockney matron who says things like “Ere’s some more mushy peas for our Bunny! Bunny loves her mushy peas, don’t she?!”
That’s as good an explanation as any!