Separate Tables Information

Separate Tables is a 1958 American drama film starring Rita Hayworth, Deborah Kerr, David Niven and Burt Lancaster, based on two one-act plays by Terence Rattigan that were collectively known by this name. The picture was directed by Delbert Mann and adapted for the screen by Rattigan, John Gay and an uncredited John Michael Hayes. Mary Grant designed the film's costumes.

Plot

Miss Pat Cooper (Wendy Hiller) is the manager of Hotel Beauregard in Bournemouth. She is secretly engaged to John Malcolm (Burt Lancaster).

There is a wide variety of guests at the hotel. Mrs. Maud Railton-Bell (Gladys Cooper) doesn't want her adult daughter Sibyl (Deborah Kerr) to take a job because of her weak nervous system. Sibyl always does whatever her mother says.

Major David Angus Pollock (David Niven), who is idolized by Sibyl, fails to steal an article about himself in the West Hampshire Weekly News. The article says that Major Pollock has been convicted of harassing several young women in the cinema. It also reveals that he told several lies about his past. His attempts to keep the article from the eyes of the other guests only succeed in heightening their awareness of it, particularly Mrs. Railton-Bell. She and her friend Lady Gladys Matheson read this article. Mrs. Railton-Bell wants Major Pollock to be expelled from the hotel.

Miss Meacham (May Hallatt) beats Mr. Fowler (Felix Aylmer) in a game of billiards.

Charles (Rod Taylor) asks Jean (Audrey Dalton) to marry him, but she refuses because she wants to have a career and lead an exciting life. She nevertheless wants him to be amorous to her, but he is studying for an exam and wants to be left alone.

A new guest arrives: the beautiful actress Ann Shankland (Rita Hayworth). She's John's ex-wife. Five years ago he tried to kill her and spent time in prison. They discuss this while sitting at separate tables. They still have feelings for each other, and Miss Cooper knows who she is.

In the end John and Ann reconcile, and Jean accepts Charles' proposal. Major Pollock admits that he is not a major at all. Miss Cooper allows him to stay at the hotel, and he admits he has special feelings for Sibyl. She stands up to her mother for the first time in her life, and greets Major Pollock as he comes in for breakfast.

Cast

• Rita Hayworth as Ann Shankland
• Deborah Kerr as Sibyl Railton-Bell
• David Niven as Major David Angus Pollock
• Burt Lancaster as John Malcolm
• Wendy Hiller as Pat Cooper
• Gladys Cooper as Mrs. Maud Railton-Bell
• Cathleen Nesbitt as Lady Gladys Matheson
• Felix Aylmer as Mr. Fowler
• Rod Taylor as Charles
• Audrey Dalton as Jean
• May Hallatt as Miss Meacham
• Priscilla Morgan as Doreen

Production and awards

The film took the two plays and opened it up for a screenplay that introduced some new parts, and stars Rita Hayworth, Deborah Kerr, David Niven, Wendy Hiller, Burt Lancaster and May Hallatt, who already played Miss Meacham on stage. The movie was nominated for seven Oscars, winning two (Niven for Best Actor and Hiller for Best Supporting Actress).

Burt Lancaster was also co-producer (Hill-Hecht-Lancaster Productions). Rita Hayworth was married to James Hill at the time.