Castle in the Air (film)
| Castle in the Air | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Henry Cass |
| Produced by |
Edward Dryhurst Ernest Gartside |
| Screenplay by |
Edward Dryhurst Alan Melville |
| Based on |
Castle in the Air 1949 play by Alan Melville |
| Starring |
David Tomlinson Helen Cherry Margaret Rutherford |
| Music by | Francis Chagrin |
| Cinematography | Erwin Hillier |
| Edited by | Edward B. Jarvis |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Associated British-Pathé |
Release dates | 26 December 1952 (US) |
Running time | 89 minutes |
| Country |
 United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Box office | £116,727[1] |
Castle in the Air is a 1952 British comedy film directed by Henry Cass and starring David Tomlinson, Helen Cherry, Margaret Rutherford and Gordon Jackson. It was adapted from the play by Alan Melville.[2]
Plot summary
The impecunious owner of a haunted Scottish castle has to juggle the advances of an American heiress who wishes to buy him out, the love of his longtime assistant who wants to marry him, and a Coal Board official who wishes to commandeer the estate. The British National Coal Board wants to annex the owner's castle as a group home for local miners and their families. Wealthy, much-married American Mrs. Clodfelter Dunne (Barbara Kelly) wants to claim the castle—and its owner, the Earl of Locharne (David Tomlinson)--for herself. Meanwhile, eccentric boarder Miss Nicholson (Margaret Rutherford) is obsessed with the idea that the Earl is actually the rightful King of Scotland. There is also a beautiful ghost, played by Patricia Dainton. "Castle in the Air" was based on the popular stage play by Alan Melville.[3]
Differences from play
The play's author, Alan Melville wrote the film's screenplay with the producer Edward Dryhurst. Melville was a successful writer of revues in the 1940s, and as a playwright, some of his notable successes include "Simon and Laura" and "Dear Charles". "Castle in the Air" displays Melville's skill for sophisticated wit, sharp repartee and disarming nonsense talk.[4] Coral Browne appeared in its West End London run at the Adelphi theatre, in 1949-50.
Cast
- David Tomlinson as Earl of Locharne
- Helen Cherry as Boss Trent
- Margaret Rutherford as Miss Nicholson
- Barbara Kelly as Mrs. Clodfelter Dunne
- A. E. Matthews as Blair
- Patricia Dainton as Ermyntrude
- Ewan Roberts as Menzies
- Brian Oulton as Phillips
- Clive Morton as MacFee
- Gordon Jackson as Hiker
- Pat Sandys as Girl Hiker
- Russell Waters as Moffat
- John Harvey as Andrews
- Esme Beringer as Mrs. Thompson
- Winifred Willard as Miss Miller
- David Hannaford as Small Boy
- Helen Christie as Jessie
- Archie Duncan as Constable
- Norman Macowan as Pettigrew
- Stringer Davis as Hall Porter
- Paul Blake as Hotel Manager
Critical reception
- The New York Times described the film as a "slender but thoroughly good-natured little British comedy"[5]
- Fantastic Movie Musings and Ramblings wrote, "all in all, a delightful comedy."[6]
- TV Guide said, "this stage play should have stayed on the stage."[7]
References
- ↑ Vincent Porter, 'The Robert Clark Account', Historical Journal of Film, Radio and Television, Vol 20 No 4, 2000 p499
- ↑ Castle in the Air: A Comedy - Alan Melville - Google Books. Books.google.co.uk. Retrieved 2014-03-12.
- ↑ "Castle in the Air (1952) - Trailers, Reviews, Synopsis, Showtimes and Cast". AllMovie. Retrieved 2014-03-12.
- ↑ "Sydney Theatre". The Genesian Theatre. 1999-02-20. Retrieved 2014-03-12.
- ↑ H. H. T. (1953-01-05). "Movie Review - Castle in the Air - THE SCREEN; British Comedy Bows". NYTimes.com. Retrieved 2014-03-12.
- ↑ "Fantastic Movie Musings & Ramblings - CASTLE IN THE AIR (1952)". Scifilm.org. Retrieved 2014-03-12.
- ↑ "Castle In The Air Trailer, Reviews and Schedule for Castle In The Air | TVGuide.com". Movies.tvguide.com. Retrieved 2014-03-12.
External links
- Castle in the Air is available for free download at the Internet Archive
- Castle in the Air at the Internet Movie Database
- Castle in the Air at AllMovie
- Castle in the Air at the TCM Movie Database