No Room at the Inn – 1948 | 82 mins | Drama | B&W

Plot Synopsis

Sordid but powerful social drama based on the West End stageplay by Joan Temple and a screenplay written in part by Welsh poet Dylan Thomas. Freda Jackson is powerfully compelling as the brassy lead and is ably supported by an excellent group of British stalwarts.

A WWII orphan, Mary O’Rane (Ann Stephens), is taken to live in the rundown home of alcoholic Mrs. Voray (Freda Jackson), who already has several orphans and evacuees residing in her care. Outwardly the soul of Christian charity, behind closed doors Mrs. Voray treats her youthful refugees cruelly and keeps them in conditions of squalor and semi-starvation. Mary’s schoolteacher is concerned for the young girls upbringing and appeals to local people to take Mary in but to no avail, when she then pleads with town councillors and the church to intervene her plea goes largely ignored.

When Mary’s father (Niall MacGinnis) unexpectedly turns up she believes he has come to take her away from the shabby surroundings, but Mrs. Voray easily manipulates him and rather than lecturing her about his daughter’s plight – the two go out for a night on the town. After being stood up by a date Mrs. Voray returns home blinding drunk to discover her new hat has been ruined by young Ronnie (Robin Netscher), and the child is locked in a coal scuttle for the minor misdemeanour. Mary and her best friend sneak out during the night to rescue him – but awakened by the noise Mrs. Voray goes downstairs to confront them and tragedy ensues.