7.8/10
5,785
59 user 60 critic

The Fallen Idol (1948)

| Drama, Film-Noir, Mystery | 25 October 1948 (UK)
The Fallen Idol Poster
Trailer
1:23 | Trailer
A butler working in a foreign embassy in London falls under suspicion when his wife accidentally falls to her death, the only witness being an impressionable young boy.

Director:

Writers:

(story "The Basement Room"), (screenplay) | 2 more credits »

Stars:

, , | See full cast & crew »
88
Reviews
Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 7 wins & 5 nominations. See more awards »

Videos

Photos

15 photos | 1 video | 57 news articles »
Learn more

People who liked this also liked... 







◄ Prev 6 Next 6 ►

0 Next »
Odd Man Out (1947)
Crime | Drama | Film-Noir
    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 7.8/10 X  

A wounded Irish nationalist leader attempts to evade police following a failed robbery. Action takes place in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

Director: Carol Reed
Stars: James Mason, Robert Newton, Cyril Cusack
0 Next »
Night Train to Munich (1940)
Thriller | War
    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 7.3/10 X  

When Germany invades Czechoslovakia, the German and the British intelligence services try to capture Czech scientist Axel Bomasch, inventor of a new type of armor-plating.

Director: Carol Reed
Stars: Margaret Lockwood, Rex Harrison, Paul Henreid
0 Next »
Our Man in Havana (1959)
Comedy | Crime | Drama
    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 7.3/10 X  

Jim Wormold, who is a vacuum cleaner salesman, participates as an agent in the British Secret Service. But he soon realizes that his plans by lying are going to get him into trouble.

Director: Carol Reed
Stars: Alec Guinness, Maureen O'Hara, Burl Ives
0 Next »
The Wonder Kid (1951)
Comedy
    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 6.5/10 X  
Director: Karl Hartl
Stars: Bobby Henrey, Elwyn Brook-Jones, Muriel Aked
0 Next »
Les grandes manoeuvres (1955)
Comedy | Drama | Romance
    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 6.9/10 X  

A French lieutenant makes a bet that he can seduce any woman in town in the two weeks before his regiment leaves for maneuvers, but his chosen target (a Parisian divorcée) isn't like other girls he's known.

Director: René Clair
Stars: Michèle Morgan, Gérard Philipe, Jean Desailly
0 Next »
Maria Chapdelaine (1950)
Drama
    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 5.1/10 X  

At the beginning of the 20th century, in the North of the Province of Quebec. After five years spent in a boarding school, Maria Chapdelaine comes back to the family farm. Robert Gagnon, a ... See full summary »

Director: Marc Allégret
Stars: Michèle Morgan, Kieron Moore, Françoise Rosay
Edit

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
...
...
Sonia Dresdel ...
...
Denis O'Dea ...
...
Walter Fitzgerald ...
Dandy Nichols ...
Joan Young ...
Karel Stepanek ...
First Secretary
...
...
Policeman
...
Perry
Geoffrey Keen ...
Detective Davis (as Geoffrey Keene)
...
See full cast »
Edit

Storyline

Philippe, a diplomat's son and good friend of Baines the butler, is confused by the complexities and evasions of adult life. He tries to keep secrets but ends up telling them. He lies to protect his friends, even though he knows he should tell the truth. He resolves not to listen to adults' stories any more when Baines is suspected of murdering his wife and no-one will listen to Philippe's vital information. Written by <[email protected]>

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

secret | embassy | butler | french | ambassador | See All (128) »

Genres:

Drama | Film-Noir | Mystery | Thriller

Certificate:

See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
Edit

Details

Country:

Language:

|

Release Date:

25 October 1948 (UK)  »

Also Known As:

El ídolo caído  »

Filming Locations:

 »

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$9,030 (USA) (10 February 2006)

Gross:

$57,745 (USA) (18 November 2016)
 »

Company Credits

Production Co:

 »
Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

(RCA Sound System)

Color:

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1
See  »
Edit

Did You Know?

Trivia

The key to getting a performance from Bobby Henrey was the remarkable relationship between the young actor and his director. Carol Reed welcomed the challenge, knowing that if he worked well with Bobby he would get something not always easily achieved with an adult actor, the sense of uninhibited connection with a role, without any self-consciousness. "But with the right sort of child such as Bobby, there is nothing in the way," Reed said. "There is absolutely no resistance. He will do everything you tell him." See more »

Goofs

When Julie leaves the tea shop and closes the shop door, there is an Open / Closed sign hanging on the glass pane of the door. But when Baines and Phillipe leave the tea shop a minute or so later, the sign is no longer there. See more »

Quotes

[first lines]
Baines: Good day, sir... In his office there, miss.
See more »

Connections

References Nick Carter, Master Detective (1939) See more »

Frequently Asked Questions

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.

User Reviews

Superb
10 December 2000 | by (San Francisco) – See all my reviews

Worth it just for that last shot of the little boy on the stairs, whose mother has just come home and is calling to him. Exquisitely crafted--beautifully acted, written, directed, and filmed. They don't make films like this anymore. When you see something like this you realize that intelligence has really left cinema.
20 of 33 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you?
Review this title | See all 59 user reviews »

Message Boards

Recent Posts
I get to meet Bobby Henrey in person! DavidW1947
I didn't care for Phillipe. Okada_Toru
Favourite line? emmas_place2003
that kid ncblue66
Interesting shots of London Zoo in the forties clive-ihd
French flag? jrangers19
Discuss The Fallen Idol (1948) on the IMDb message boards »
Getting Started | Contributor Zone »

Contribute to This Page

Write review
Create a character page for:
?