The Seventh Veil, 1946, I don't think this film will be on anybody else's top ten, but its certainly on mine. I always wanted to learn to play the piano and, in fact, as an adult, I am currently taking lessons. It is typical of British film in the late forties, 1946, and the fascination with psychotherapy and Freudian psychology at the time. Directed by Compton Bennett, it is the story of a girl brought up by her cousin, Nicholas, and molded by him to become a concert pianist. The story begins with her attempting suicide and being afraid of her hands being hurt making her unable to play. Her psychiatrist, Herbert Lom tries to identify the roots of these fears by pulling back the seven veils of her psyche. It is told in flashbacks counterpointed by a lush piano-concerto background score. A young James Mason plays the fearsome Nicholas to perfection. Love this film, it makes me want to practice my piano!

The cast includes:

• James Mason .... Nicholas
• Ann Todd .... Francesca Cunningham
• Herbert Lom .... Doctor Larsen
• Hugh McDermott .... Peter Gay
• Albert Lieven .... Maxwell Leyden
• Yvonne Owen .... Susan Brook
• David Horne .... Dr. Kendall
• Manning Whiley .... Dr. Irving
• Grace Allardyce .... Nurse
• Ernest Davies .... Parker
• John Slater (I) .... James
• Arnold Goldsborough .... Conductor
• Muir Mathieson .... Conductor