Separate Tables (United Artists 1958, David Niven, Deborah Kerr)

Touching, subtle examination of lonely lives and lost loves, Separate Tables, adapted from Terence Rattigan’s play of the same name, follows several residents of an English seaside hotel as they search for meaning, independence and acceptance. Slightly rewritten to include American characters, thus ensuring an audience on both sides of the Atlantic, this smart, mature, restrained film was deservedly nominated for seven Oscars (it won two).

Separate Tables composer David Raksin, is best known for his score to the 1944 film noir Laura. Although he was nominated for an Oscar twice, including Separate Tables, he never won an Academy Award. The Philadelphia-born Raksin was probably the only Hollywood musician who not only worked with Igor Stravinsky, but also studied with Arnold Schoenberg.

Oscars won: Best Actor (David Niven), Best Supporting Actress (Wendy Hiller).

Oscar Nominations: Best Picture, Best Actress, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Black and White Cinematography, Best Score.

Director: Delbert Mann Producer: Harold Hecht Director of Photography: Charles Lang Editors: Charles Ennis, Marjorie Fowler Composer: David Raksin Screenwriters: John Gay. Terence Rattigan Art Director: Edward Carrere

production details
USA | United Artists | 100 minutes | 1958
Director: Delbert Mann
Script: Terence Rattigan, John Gay,

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