Bunny Lake is Missing
| Bunny Lake Is Missing | |
|---|---|
|
|
| Directed by | Otto Preminger |
| Produced by | Otto Preminger |
| Screenplay by |
John Mortimer Penelope Mortimer |
| Based on |
Bunny Lake Is Missing by Marryam Modell |
| Starring |
Laurence Olivier Carol Lynley Keir Dullea |
| Music by | Paul Glass |
| Cinematography | Denys N. Coop |
| Edited by | Peter Thornton |
| Distributed by | Columbia Pictures |
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Release date
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October 3, 1965 (US) February 10, 1966 (UK) |
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Running time
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107 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
Bunny Lake Is Missing is a 1965 British psychological thriller film starring Laurence Olivier and directed and produced by Otto Preminger, who filmed it in black and white widescreen format in London. It was based on the novel of the same name by Merriam Modell. The score is by Paul Glass and the opening theme is often heard as a refrain. The English rock band the Zombies also appear in the film, in a television broadcast.
Dismissed by both critics and Preminger as insignificant upon its release in 1965, the film received a strong review by critic Andrew Sarris.
American single mother Ann Lake (Carol Lynley), who recently moved to London from New York, arrives at the Little People's Garden preschool to collect her daughter, Bunny. The child has mysteriously disappeared. An administrator recalls meeting with Ann but claims never to have seen the missing child. Ann and her brother Steven (Keir Dullea) search the school and find a sinister woman living upstairs, who claims she collects children's nightmares. In desperation, the Lakes call the police and Superintendent Newhouse (Laurence Olivier) arrives on the scene.
They find that all of Bunny's possessions have been removed from the Lakes' home. Ann cannot understand why anyone would do this and reacts emotionally. Superintendent Newhouse begins to suspect that Bunny Lake does not exist after he learns that "Bunny" was the name of Ann's imaginary childhood friend. Ann's landlord (Noël Coward), an aging actor, attempts to seduce her. Newhouse decides to become better acquainted with Ann in order to learn more about Bunny. He takes her to a local bar where he plies her with brandy.
Ann discovers she still has the claim ticket for Bunny's doll, which was taken to a doll hospital for repairs. Regarding the doll as proof of Bunny's existence, she frantically rushes to the doll hospital late at night and retrieves the doll. Steven knocks out Ann and burns the doll. He takes Ann to a hospital and tells the desk nurse that Ann has been hallucinating about a missing girl who does not exist. Ann is sedated and put under observation.
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Wikipedia