Night Comes Too Soon

Little known short (just 52 minutes) UK supporting feature, starring Valentine Dyall. A pair of newlyweds buy a rundown old mansion, only to find that the spirits of all three members of a love triangle that ended in murder many years before still linger there. Desperate to rid themselves of the haunting they contact a friend who has made a study of such things (Dyall). This is actually an adaptation of Edward Bulwer-Lytton's 1859 novel The Haunters and the Haunted. Shot entirely at a supposedly haunted derelict manor house near North London, the budget appears to have comprised solely of the petrol money/train fares to the location. Nevertheless, they do a good job of setting an uneasy atmosphere right from the couple's first night in the house, with strange noises and half-heard whisperings. The appearances of the ghosts are done by superimposition, or sometimes by simply turning a light up and down on an actor standing in shadow, and perhaps reflected in glass. Unfortunately, with the exception of Dyall, the rest of the performances are distractingly 'stage-like'. Also, the backstory to the haunting is glossed over too quickly, and needs more detail in its explanation, and the twist at the end makes no sense. It's a shame this adaptation didn't have (a) more money, (b) more time, and (c) a better supporting cast. There's obvious potential in the story. 5.5/10.

My wife and I recently saw this under it's original title of "Ghost of Rashmon Hall."

It's a very low budget, very British quickie from the late 40's, with some shaky acting from a cast of unknowns (aside from the sinister Dyall). Less than an hour long, this could've turned out as just another forgettable filler, and indeed has been completely overlooked by most critics. Yet this little film abounds in genuinely creepy moments, startling and unexpected visuals and an overwhelming air of menace.

I honestly can't think of another film where incompetence and inspiration mix to such a degree. But the narrative is so gripping and the high points so good that you end up accepting the film on it's own terms. Several times we had to rewind just to appreciate some of the visual effects, all achieved by simple lighting and in-camera effects but each one achieving a truly supernatural ambience.

If I say any more I'll start giving away plot elements and I don't want to spoil it for you. All I'll say is try to get hold of this one, or tape it if it should ever turn up on TV.

The Ghost Of Rashmon Hall is a short quota quickie from Great Britain which probably did not get much if any exhibition in the USA. Though the film is something like what you might have seen on the Twilight Zone or Boris Karloff's Thriller it's not all that bad. It depends greatly on the sinister voice and bearing of Valentine Dyall and Dyall certainly delivers.

Gathered around a parlor Dr. Valentine Dyall an expert in the paranormal tells a tale of a pair of newlyweds who purchase an old mansion with a curse on it. Anne Howard and Alec Faversham are the newlyweds and the place is definitely haunted. The two get up close and personal with three ghosts, the squire on the estate, his wife, and her sailor paramour.

The ending is not something you would expect, but Alfred Hitchcock couldn't have done better. Valentine Dyall makes believers of those at the party about ghosts.

Although set in the usual enormous house that in those days films would had have us believe everybody then lived in, austerity Britain never looked more austere than this telling of a very similar story to the haunted mirror episode of 'Dead of Night' (an impression further confirmed by the casting of that film's Anthony Baird in the framing story).

Despite atmospheric photography of a derelict Mill Hill mansion by Ray Densham, for most of it's length it gets its atmosphere largely from various noises like a dripping tap, creaking doors, screams in the night, breaking glass and especially the narration by Man in Black himself Valentine Dyall; although the spectre when finally seen is quite satisfying.

This film is hokey beyond belief. The action is so stilted and there are so many pregnant pauses. The leads seem to be acting like they are in a public information film. Valentine Dyall is always a great presence to watch, but in this film he is so limited by the awful direction. The film, as others have said, look waaaaay older than it actually is...it looks more like a very early 30s film and the soundtrack (which is inappropriate at times) sometimes sounds like it's from a Laurel & Hardy short. That said, there are some superb filmic ideas, and for all they are 'low budget' I thought they were really quite eerie. Someone could take this film now and create something as good as 'The Others'...but considering that won't happen, we are left with an odd but strangely compelling film.