The Grocer's Wife

An offbeat story filmed in stark black-and-white, the plot revolves around Tim Midley (Webb), a simple man who works as a pollution monitor at the large factory which dominates the town (its tall smokestacks spew clouds continuously over the valley). He lives at home with his domineering mother (who, like the rest of the townsfolk, smokes like a chimney herself); when he deviates from his routine by getting a more stylish haircut it catches the eye of the grocer's wife (and seriously upsets his mother, who usually cuts his hair). That evening, emissions from the factory overcome her, requiring an emergency trip to the clinic. Freed from his mother's grasp, Tim soon finds himself inviting an exotic dancer to stay at his house until the weekly passenger train arrives (she has decided to escape the rowdy lot who frequent the local bar). Soon she begins to assume the mother's role by moving into her bedroom, wearing her clothes & wigs, and reading her correspondence. After the mother passes away, the grocer's wife gets more aggressive in her pursuit of Tim and he attempts to rid himself of the stripper. Ultimately an interesting viewing experience (you never quite know what to expect next), though certainly strange and not for everyone's taste; the cinematography makes good use of light & shadow to

help define the setting and mood.

Sidenote: the movie appears to have been filmed in British Columbia (one bar patron is wearing a U.B.C. pullover and the mother mails her letters to California with Canadian stamps). The factory is a close match to the large Cominco Ltd. lead-zinc smelter which overshadows the southern Kootenay city of Trail, B.C.