The Tell-Tale Heart (1960): Cast & Plot
The Tell-Tale Heart is a 1960 horror thriller directed by Ernest Morris, starring Laurence Payne as Edgar Marsh, Adrienne Corri and Dermot Walsh. It runs 1 hour 18 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 18m (78 min)
- Director
- Ernest Morris
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Danziger Productions Ltd.
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Tell-Tale Heart About?
The premise of The Tell-Tale Heart without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
A nervous librarian named Edgar Marsh becomes obsessed with his attractive next‑door neighbor. Consumed by unrequited love and voyeuristic fixation, his anxiety drives him to murder when she remains out of reach. The film weaves Poe’s classic themes of madness, guilt and a haunting conscience into a tense, suspenseful reinterpretation.
The Tell-Tale Heart Themes & Keywords
· 20 tags- neighbor
- based on the works of edgar allan poe
- based on short story
- 19th century
- black and white horror
- homicidal
- jealousy
- cocaine
- jealous rage
- piano
- dead body buried under the floor
- mysterious noise
+8 more Show fewer
- music room
- british horror
- haunting
- costume horror
- gothic horror
- the tell tale heart
- heart in hand
- independent film
The Tell-Tale Heart Cast & Characters
Laurence Payne leads the cast as Edgar Marsh, with Adrienne Corri as Betty Clare and Dermot Walsh as Carl Loomis. Directed by Ernest Morris; 18 actors are credited in all.
- Director Ernest Morris
- Laurence Payne as Edgar Marsh
- Adrienne Corri as Betty Clare
- Dermot Walsh as Carl Loomis
- John Martin as Police Sergeant
Also Starring in The Tell-Tale Heart
· 14 more- Richard Bennett Mike
- John Scott Police Inspector
- David Lander Jeweller
- Graham Ashley Neston
- Yvonne Buckingham Mina
- Selma Vaz Dias Mrs. Vine
- Annette Carell Mrs. Fowler, Betty's Landlady
- Nade Beall Old Crone
- David Courtney Bit Part
- Rosemary Rotheray Jackie
- Suzanne Fuller Dorothy
- Joan Peart Street Girl
- Elizabeth Paget Elsie
- Pamela Plant Manageress
The Tell-Tale Heart Plot Summary
What happens in The Tell-Tale Heart from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Edgar Marsh [Laurence Payne], a shy librarian with a fervent fixation on erotica, becomes infatuated with his neighbor Betty Clare [Adrienne Corri] after catching a glimpse of her undressing in her bedroom. He invites her to dinner, and while she clearly feels uncomfortable with the intensity of his attention, he lavishly showers her with jewellery and fantasizes about a future where they are together. The enchantment grows brittle when he introduces her to his friend Carl Loomis [Dermot Walsh], a man Betty finds far more attractive and immediately more appealing.
Full summary
The whole story of The Tell-Tale Heart, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know The Tell-Tale Heart?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What is Edgar Marsh's profession?
The Tell-Tale Heart Also Known As
5 alternative titles, including “The Horror Man” and “The Hidden Room of 1”.
- Also known as
-
- The Horror Man
- The Hidden Room of 1
- 000 Horrors
- Panic
- Das Haus der tausend Schreie
Seen The Tell-Tale Heart?
Movies Like The Tell-Tale Heart
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including The Tell-Tale Heart, The Tell-Tale Heart and The Tell-Tale Heart.
The Tell-Tale Heart FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of The Tell-Tale Heart, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Tell-Tale Heart?
The Tell-Tale Heart runs 1 hour 18 minutes (78 minutes).
When was The Tell-Tale Heart released?
The Tell-Tale Heart was released on December 14, 1960.
Who directed The Tell-Tale Heart?
The Tell-Tale Heart was directed by Ernest Morris.
More films by Ernest Morris Who is in the cast of The Tell-Tale Heart?
The Tell-Tale Heart stars Laurence Payne as Edgar Marsh, Adrienne Corri as Betty Clare and Dermot Walsh as Carl Loomis, among 18 credited actors.
Does The Tell-Tale Heart have a post-credit scene?
No. The Tell-Tale Heart has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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