Héritage et vieux fantômes

David Niven is recalled by movie lovers as one of those impeccable, romantic "English" gentlemen (like Ronald Colman, Errol Flynn, Ray Milland, Douglas Fairbanks Jr.) Like Colman and Milland he did get the Oscar, and like them it was for an atypical role - not a comic turn as a 1930's version of Hugh Grant, but a person who makes a glaring social error. Niven's military man in "Seperate Tables" is a mild liar (he never had a heroic war record, and never reached the rank he uses at the residential hotel), and he is arrested for exposing himself to a woman in a theater (in Terrence Rattigan's play it's a homosexual offense). In 1957 it was not a usual action for a movie to discuss such behavior. The gentle, humiliated Niven carried it off very nicely, winning the audience's sympathy.

It was not Niven's sole attempt at reaching the dark side. He had done a marvelous job as the fascinating Aaron Burr in "Magnificent Doll" in 1946. There he was playing Burr according to the "official" version of American history, as an ambitious egomaniac we were just lucky to avoid as President. But if one's historic knowledge of Burr is such as to question that viewpoint the film's impact is spoiled.

Another film that shows Niven at his "worst" best side is this forgotten comedy. An elderly Irish landowner is killed in a fox hunt, and his nephew (Niven) is found to take over the estate. The problem is that whereas the dead laird was a fine example of noblesse oblige his nephew is a sophisticated urbanite who sees the estate as something to sell and pocket the thousands of pounds. His announcement at the annual hunt ball that it is the last is a wonderful moment of total shock for the locals. As Niven has a heart condition, the locals start thinking of causing a fatal shock to kill him. Unfortunately they can't get it into their heads to coordinate their efforts. The last thirty minutes is a marvel of comic pandemonium. One only wishes that the film was shown more frequently - it was seen by this viewer on television in 1966.

David Niven and Yvonne de Carlo. Wow. Add to that, the list of Irish character actors, headed by none other than Barry Fitzgerald himself, toss in a ghost story, a bit of romance and a plot to do in the heir, Niven and you got a great 50's comedy. Lots of wacky entanglements with the lovely Yvonne remarking about the ne'er do well, heir apparent, Niven, "He's a cad." Great escapism and nothing here to take too seriously. Alas, no video, no DVD, so watch for it on the late show where it pops up from time to time.

I saw this movie with my family when it came out in 1954. I was 10 yrs old & laughed & cheered with everyone else in the theatre. The next day I described the movie almost scene by scene for my school bus driver who roared with laughter along with me. I have never written an IMDB review before, & this really isn't a review, just memories of the joy a really good comedy could give people. My dad, a bartender, told his customers about this movie, & they laughed & laughed as well. Seeing it again on TCM two days ago, I appreciated the script, the great Irish actors, Niven & DeCarlo giving great performances, but mostly the memory of seeing this comedy & the joy of telling people about it & enjoying it all over again as we did when this movie first came out.

Thanks for letting me share this with you.

It's quite unusual to see David Niven play what amounts to the baddie, but he does it quite enjoyably here in this story of rural Irish shenanigans. When the death-defying "Gen. O'Leary" (AE Matthews) goes hunting and finally fails with the defying bit, his estate falls to great-nephew "Jasper" (Niven) who arrives determined to shake things up. No more country balls, fêtes, community functions - all of that is to go the way of the dodo. The new squire is a pompous ass who's only interested in cash! With many of the locals now facing bankruptcy, it seems that only "Serena" (Yvonne De Carlo) will give him a second look. She likes his money. He likes his money - and to spend it on her, so the pair look like a match made in heaven. With the villagers facing ruination it might just be that their only recourse is to the legendary ghost of the mansion. Might it be able to thwart the venal ambitions of their new landlord? It's a whimsical adventure this with a decent effort from the star and from De Carlo, who gel quite well together as the story trots along for an admittedly overlong ninety minutes. It's quite wittily written now and again, though also a little prone to stereotyping too, and with engaging contributions from the always reliable Barry Fitzgerald and Liam Redmond, it makes for an amiable vehicle for a charismatic star going through the motions. Not great, no, but amiable enough.

Really love this movie. David Niven just sparkles and has some of the best lines of his illustrious career, especially the ending one. Supporting cast is superlative too. Everyone really seemed to enjoy making the movie. In addition the perfect song to set the mood. Please, someone put it one DVD or VHS.