Hangover Square Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A stressed-out composer gets murder-y amnesia from loud noises and tries to finish his masterpiece while dealing with a gold-digging singer and an unhealthy fondness for bonfires.

🍿 Hangover Square: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Composer’s Torment

Set in early 20th-century London, the film introduces George Harvey Bone, a brilliant but troubled composer. He is under immense pressure while working on a major piano concerto, essential for his career. Bone suffers from unsettling blackouts triggered by discordant sounds. During these episodes, he loses control and has no memory of his actions, often finding himself in unfamiliar parts of the city with disquieting evidence, leading him to fear he may be responsible for recent crimes.

A Dangerous Muse

Seeking relaxation on the advice of a Scotland Yard doctor, George encounters Netta Longdon, a manipulative and ambitious music hall singer. Captivated by her, he abandons his classical work to compose popular songs for her, believing she returns his affection. Netta ruthlessly exploits George’s talent and infatuation for her own career advancement, stringing him along with false promises while secretly planning to marry a wealthy theatrical producer.

Escalating Blackouts and Deadly Consequences

As Netta’s deceit becomes apparent and other stressors mount, George’s blackouts intensify and become more violent. A discordant sound, often music-related, sends him into a homicidal rage, targeting those who have angered him. His condition leads to several murders, which he commits unknowingly during his altered states. He struggles with fragmented memories and growing dread, while the doctor investigating the crimes begins to suspect the truth.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• George Harvey Bone (Laird Cregar): A promising composer who suffers homicidal blackouts triggered by discordant sounds.
• Netta Longdon (Linda Darnell): A manipulative music hall singer who exploits George’s affections and talent for her career.
• Dr. Allan Middleton (George Sanders): A Scotland Yard doctor specializing in the mind who investigates the murders and George’s condition.
• Barbara Chapman (Faye Marlowe): George’s loyal girlfriend and an accomplished pianist who believes in his classical music talent.
• Sir Henry Chapman (Alan Napier): Barbara’s father and a distinguished conductor who supports George’s ambition to write a concerto.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• George Harvey Bone: “The sound… it takes hold of me! Like a darkness!” – George describes the terrifying onset of his blackouts, triggered by discordant noise.
• Netta Longdon: “Your music… it’s divine, George! You could make me a star!” – Netta flatters George, manipulating him into writing popular songs for her career.
• George Harvey Bone: “You don’t understand! My concerto… it must be finished!” – George desperately expresses his obsession with completing his major classical work, even as his life unravels.
• Dr. Allan Middleton: “Mr. Bone, we need to understand these blackouts.” – The psychiatrist from Scotland Yard attempts to delve into the cause of George’s episodes.
• George Harvey Bone: “Let me play! I must play!” – In the film’s final, desperate moments, George is driven solely by the need to perform his concerto.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $1,154,000
• Domestic Gross: None
• Worldwide Gross: None

💥 Hangover Square Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I finally watched ‘Hangover Square’ because everyone talks about Laird Cregar’s last role, and wow, they were right! Cregar is absolutely captivating. You feel for this guy, George, who’s just trying to compose his music, but then BAM! Loud noise, and he’s a completely different, terrifying person. The atmosphere in this movie is amazing. That foggy, gaslit London feels so authentic and spooky. The scene where he disposes of a body during the Guy Fawkes bonfire? Chillingly memorable, I won’t forget that. And the music! Bernard Herrmann is a legend, and his score here is incredible. It feels like its own character, especially that intense concerto piece. Watching Cregar ‘play’ it in the finale, amidst the chaos and flames, was just… powerful and tragic. It really made me appreciate the artistry that went into this film, even knowing the sad story behind Cregar’s death.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of classic psychological thrillers and mysteries”
  • “Aficionados of 1940s film noir and atmospheric period pieces”
  • “Viewers interested in the work of actors Laird Cregar and George Sanders”
  • “Those who appreciate powerful Bernard Herrmann scores”
  • “Fans of dark, character-driven dramas”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence (including strangulation)”
  • “Psychological themes (madness, split personality)”
  • “Disturbing images (corpse disposal)”
  • “Period-typical portrayals and language”

Professional Reviews

• Adapted from user reviews: “A visually striking and atmospheric thriller, ‘Hangover Square’ is a masterclass in moody filmmaking. John Brahm’s direction, Joseph LaShelle’s cinematography, and Bernard Herrmann’s powerful score create a palpable sense of dread. Laird Cregar delivers a mesmerizing performance as the tormented composer, elevating a melodramatic plot with depth and pathos. Despite a slow middle, the film builds to an unforgettable, fiery climax.
• Adapted from user reviews: “This film is a hidden gem for fans of classic thrillers and noir-adjacent cinema. Cregar’s final performance is captivating, portraying a sympathetic yet terrifying character. Linda Darnell shines as the manipulative femme fatale, while George Sanders offers solid support. The film’s period detail and production design are superb, but it’s Herrmann’s central musical score that truly stands out, driving the narrative and enhancing the emotional intensity.

Audience Reactions

Laird Cregar’s final performance is universally praised as unforgettable and tragic.: Viewers frequently commend Bernard Herrmann’s brilliant and impactful musical score, the moody and atmospheric recreation of London, and specific memorable scenes like the Guy Fawkes bonfire and the fiery finale.

Overall Consensus: A critically appreciated classic thriller renowned for its intense atmosphere, stunning visuals, and a brilliant, tragic performance by Laird Cregar in his final film. Bernard Herrmann’s powerful score is also consistently highlighted as a major strength.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “This was actor Laird Cregar’s final film before his death at age 28, reportedly due to complications from rapid weight loss undertaken to break free from typecasting as heavies and potentially pursue romantic lead roles.”
• “The film reunited many key personnel from the successful 1944 thriller ‘The Lodger,’ including director John Brahm, screenwriter Barre Lyndon, stars Laird Cregar and George Sanders, and composer Bernard Herrmann.”
• “Composer Bernard Herrmann wrote the extensive and dramatic score, including the complex ‘Hangover Square Concerto’ within a remarkably short six-week timeframe.”
• “The climactic fire sequence was one of the largest interior fire sets ever built and filmed by 20th Century Fox at the time, requiring significant technical effort.”
• “Although based on Patrick Hamilton’s novel, the film makes significant deviations, most notably changing the protagonist into a composer whose episodes are triggered by discordant sounds, rather than the novel’s focus on alcoholism and general mental decay.”

🖥️ How to Watch Hangover Square?

Finding ‘Hangover Square’ (1945) can sometimes require searching specific platforms dedicated to classic cinema or film noir. It has aired on channels like Turner Classic Movies (TCM) and Fox Movie Channel in the past. While not always readily available on major subscription streaming services, you can often find it available for digital purchase or rental on platforms like Amazon Prime Video. Physical media, such as DVD, is also an option for collectors and enthusiasts. Check libraries or specialized film retailers for DVD availability, sometimes as part of collections featuring director John Brahm or star Laird Cregar.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Hangover Square, you might like these similar films:

• The Lodger (1944): Features the same lead actor (Laird Cregar) and director (John Brahm) in a similar period setting, exploring a tormented character suspected of serial murder.
• Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1941): A classic portrayal of a man struggling with a violent alternate personality, mirroring George Bone’s split nature and lack of control.
• Gaslight (1944): Based on a play by the same author (Patrick Hamilton) and features themes of psychological manipulation and deceit within a Victorian/Edwardian setting.
• Laura (1944): A highly stylistic film noir with renowned cinematography by Joseph LaShelle (also the cinematographer for Hangover Square) and themes of obsession.
• Black Swan (2010): Explores the psychological breakdown of a talented performer under intense pressure and obsession, leading to a loss of reality and disturbing actions, much like George Bone.

🛒 Hangover Square Related Products

• Hangover Square Special Edition Blu-ray: Own this chilling classic in a stunningly restored high-definition transfer. This edition includes insightful bonus features delving into the film’s production and star Laird Cregar’s career.
• Bernard Herrmann: Film Scores (Collection featuring Hangover Square): A compilation album featuring Bernard Herrmann’s iconic scores, including the dramatic ‘Hangover Square Concerto’ central to the film’s tension.
• Hangover Square by Patrick Hamilton: The original 1941 novel by Patrick Hamilton (author of ‘Gaslight’ and ‘Rope’), offering a darker, more psychological look at George Bone’s descent.
• Vintage Hollywood Noir Poster Set: A set of high-quality prints featuring classic posters from films like ‘Hangover Square’ and other atmospheric thrillers of the era.

🎧 Soundtrack

Hangover Square features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Have You Seen Joe?” – performed by Music by Lionel Newman, Lyrics by Charles Henderson, Performed by Kay St. Germain Wells (via Linda Darnell)
• “Hangover Square Concerto” – performed by Bernard Herrmann

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

CLASSIC MOVIE REVIEW: Laird Cregar in THE LODGER & HANGOVER SQUARE from STEVE HAYES

Curious about what makes ‘The Lodger’ a classic? This review offers a fascinating take on the film and its star Laird Cregar, even comparing it to his other notable role in ‘Hangover Square’.

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