The Decision of Christopher Blake

1948 film by Peter Godfrey

December 23, 1948 (1948-12-23)

Running time

75 minutesCountryUnited StatesLanguageEnglish

The Decision of Christopher Blake is a 1948 American drama film based upon the Moss Hart play. It was adapted by Ranald MacDougall and directed by Peter Godfrey. The film stars Alexis Smith, Robert Douglas, Cecil Kellaway, Ted Donaldson, John Hoyt and Harry Davenport and was released by Warner Bros. on December 23, 1948.^[1]

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
Cecil Kellaway as Judge Alexander Adamson
Ted Donaldson as Christopher Blake
John Hoyt as Mr. Caldwell
Harry Davenport as Courtroom Attendant
Mary Wickes as Clara
Art Baker as Mr. Kurlick

Reception

Bosley Crowther of The New York Times 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."^[2]

References

^ "The Decision of Christopher Blake (1948) – Overview". Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved June 22, 2015.
^ Crowther, Bosley (December 11, 1948). "The Screen in Review; 'Decision of Christopher Blake,' Starring Ted Donaldson, New Feature at the Strand". The New York Times. Retrieved June 22, 2015.