''The Decision of Christopher Blake'' is a 1948 American

drama film In film and television, drama is a category or genre of narrative fiction (or semi-fiction) intended to be more serious than humorous in tone. Drama of this kind is usually qualified with additional terms that specify its particular super ...

based upon the

Moss Hart Moss Hart (October 24, 1904 – December 20, 1961) was an American playwright, librettist, and theater director. Early years Hart was born in New York City, the son of Lillian (Solomon) and Barnett Hart, a cigar maker. He had a younger brother ...

play. It was adapted by

Ranald MacDougall Ranald MacDougall (March 10, 1915 – December 12, 1973) was an American screenwriter who scripted such films as '' Mildred Pierce'' (1945), '' The Unsuspected'' (1947), ''June Bride'' (1948), and '' The Naked Jungle'' (1954), and shared screenw ...

and directed by Peter Godfrey. The film stars Alexis Smith, Robert Douglas,

Cecil Kellaway Cecil Lauriston Kellaway (22 August 1890 – 28 February 1973) was a South African character actor. He was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor twice, for '' The Luck of the Irish'' (1948) and '' Guess Who's Coming to Dinner ...

Ted Donaldson Ted Donaldson (born August 20, 1933 in New York City) is an American former child actor. Early years Born in Brooklyn, New York, Donaldson was the son of singer-composer Will Donaldson and Will's wife, Jo. His mother died when he was years old. ...

John Hoyt John Hoyt (born John McArthur Hoysradt; October 5, 1905 – September 15, 1991) was an American actor. He began his acting career on Broadway, later appearing in numerous films and television series. He is perhaps best known for his film and TV ...

and

Harry Davenport Harry Davenport may refer to: * Harry Davenport (actor) (1866–1949), American film and stage actor * Harry Davenport (footballer) (1900–1984), Australian footballer * Harry J. Davenport (1902–1977), Democratic Party member of the U.S. House ...

and was released by

Warner Bros. Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. (commonly known as Warner Bros. or abbreviated as WB) is an American film and entertainment studio headquartered at the Warner Bros. Studios complex in Burbank, California, and a subsidiary of Warner Bros. D ...

on December 23, 1948.

Plot

Evelyn and Ken Blake are about to break up their marriage and get a divorce. While she still loves him, she can not forgive his infidelity. Their son, 12-year-old Christopher, is hurt and confused. The divorce suit goes to court and Ted must choose which of his parents he wants to stay with, and is unable to decide.

Cast

* Alexis Smith as Evelyn Blake * Robert Douglas as Ken Blake *

as Judge Alexander Adamson *

as Christopher Blake *

as Mr. Caldwell *

as Courtroom Attendant *

Mary Wickes Mary Wickes (born Mary Isabella Wickenhauser; June 13, 1910 – October 22, 1995) was an American actress. She often played supporting roles as prim, professional women, secretaries, nurses, nuns, therapists, teachers and housekeepers, who made ...

as Clara * Art Baker as Mr. Kurlick

Reception

Bosley Crowther of ''

The New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''the Times'', ''NYT'', or the Gray Lady) is a daily newspaper based in New York City with a worldwide readership reported in 2020 to comprise a declining 840,000 paid print subscribers, and a growing 6 million paid d ...

'' said, "Whatever meaning and emotion were in Moss Hart's stage play, "Christopher Blake," which attempted to show the mental anguish of a boy whose parents were being divorced, have been lost, mislaid or stolen from the film based upon the play."

References

External links

* 1948 drama films 1948 films American black-and-white films American drama films Films directed by Peter Godfrey Films scored by Max Steiner Films with screenplays by Ranald MacDougall Warner Bros. films 1940s English-language films 1940s American films {{1940s-drama-film-stub