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Maria Marten, or The Murder in the Red Barn

  • 19351935
  • ApprovedApproved
  • 1h 10m
IMDb RATING
5.8/10
370
YOUR RATING
Maria Marten, or The Murder in the Red Barn (1935)
CrimeDrama
In 1820's rural England, a young girl is tricked by tales of marriage by a villainous Squire, and when she becomes pregnant, and disappears, a gipsy lad is blamed.In 1820's rural England, a young girl is tricked by tales of marriage by a villainous Squire, and when she becomes pregnant, and disappears, a gipsy lad is blamed.In 1820's rural England, a young girl is tricked by tales of marriage by a villainous Squire, and when she becomes pregnant, and disappears, a gipsy lad is blamed.
IMDb RATING
5.8/10
370
YOUR RATING
    • Milton Rosmer
    • Randall Faye
  • Stars
    • Tod Slaughter
    • Sophie Stewart
    • D.J. Williams
    • Milton Rosmer
    • Randall Faye
  • Stars
    • Tod Slaughter
    • Sophie Stewart
    • D.J. Williams
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 27User reviews
    • 5Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Photos8

    Maria Marten, or The Murder in the Red Barn (1935)
    Maria Marten, or The Murder in the Red Barn (1935)
    Maria Marten, or The Murder in the Red Barn (1935)
    Maria Marten, or The Murder in the Red Barn (1935)
    Sophie Stewart in Maria Marten, or The Murder in the Red Barn (1935)
    Tod Slaughter and Sophie Stewart in Maria Marten, or The Murder in the Red Barn (1935)
    Adele Inge in Maria Marten, or The Murder in the Red Barn (1935)

    Top cast

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    Tod Slaughter
    Tod Slaughter
    • Squire William Corder
    Sophie Stewart
    Sophie Stewart
    • Maria Marten
    D.J. Williams
    • Farmer Thomas Marten
    Clare Greet
    Clare Greet
    • Mrs. Marten
    Eric Portman
    Eric Portman
    • Carlos
    Gerard Tyrrell
    • Timothy Winterbottom
    • (as Gerrard Tyrrell)
    Ann Trevor
    Ann Trevor
    • Nan--Maid
    Antonia Brough
    Antonia Brough
    • Maud Sennet
    Quinton McPherson
    • Matthew Sennet
    • (as Quentin McPhearson)
    Dennis Hoey
    Dennis Hoey
    • Gambler
    Stella Rho
    • Gypsy Crone
    Herbert Leonard
    • Compere
    Adele Inge
      Noel Dainton
      • Officer Steele of the Bow Street Runners
      • (uncredited)
      J. Leslie Frith
      • Lawyer
      • (uncredited)
      Tom Payne
      • Jailer
      • (uncredited)
      Leonard Sharp
      Leonard Sharp
      • Double Bass Player
      • (uncredited)
      Lester Sharpe
      Lester Sharpe
      • Bandleader Withey
      • (uncredited)
        • Milton Rosmer
        • Randall Faye
      • All cast & crew
      • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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      Storyline

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      Did you know

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      • Trivia
        Adapted from a play that was based on a real-life murder case from 1827, although the play (and film) presented a highly sensationalized and sentimental version of the story. The real Maria Marten was hardly the innocent, virginal young thing as seen here; by the time of her murder she had already borne two children out of wedlock and was notoriously free with her affections. She had also had a child by Corder (with whom she was having a consensual affair), which either died or was murdered. (The character of her other "good" lover is a complete fiction.) Marten's stepmother claimed to have dreams where Maria's ghost led her to the spot where her body was later found; later researchers have speculated that the stepmother (only a few years older than Maria) was an accomplice to the murder. Corder was the same age group as Maria; the Victorian melodramas made him into an older man and very much a stereotypical upper-crust villain. Much was written about it at the time and fascination with the case continued well into the 20th century.
      • Quotes

        Squire William Corder: Didn't I make you a promise, Maria? I promised to make you a bride. Don't be afraid, Maria. You shall be a bride...a bride of Death!

        [laughs maniacally]

      • Connections
        Featured in Doom Asylum (1987)

      User reviews27

      Review
      Review
      Featured review
      Interesting Story But Not Told Too Well
      The Murder in the Red Barn (1935)

      ** 1/2 (out of 4)

      Maria Marten (Sophie Stewart) is torn between Carlos (Eric Portman), a poor gypsy who her father hates and Squire Corder (Tod Slaughter), a man she doesn't really care for but it would be more acceptable to marry him. She chooses the Squire but when he learns that she's pregnant he kills her and hides the body in the red barn.

      THE MURDER IN THE RED BARN is the film that introduced the screen world to the one and only Tod Slaughter. This was a rather familiar tale as it was filmed several times during the silent era but Slaughter brought his own over-the-top performance to the role.

      The biggest problem with the film is the fact that the British censors were so strict at the time that it would have been impossible to really dig into the story and do it any sort of justice. Quite often things aren't even hinted out so you're basically having to use your own imagination. The story itself is a good one but it's just not fully brought out here.

      The film has pretty much been forgotten over the years except for those who enjoy watching Slaughter. The actor is certainly in a league of his own as he overacts incredibly bad but at the same time it's unlike anything you've seen before and on that level it is somewhat entertaining. Both Stewart and Portman are good in their supporting parts.

      THE MURDERS IN THE RED BARN certainly isn't a classic or even a good film but it has some mild entertainment to it.
      helpful•3
      1
      • Michael_Elliott
      • Feb 29, 2008

      Details

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      • Release date
        • August 18, 1936 (United States)
        • United Kingdom
        • English
      • Also known as
        • Sound City, Shepperton, Surrey, England, UK
      • Production company
        • George King Productions
      • See more company credits at IMDbPro

      Technical specs

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      • 1 hour 10 minutes
        • Black and White

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