Night Comes Too Soon

The Ghost of Rashmon Hall (1948)

** 1/2 (out of 4)

Ghost story from Great Britain has a group of people listening to a radio program dealing with hauntings. A new person arrives at the party and the guests start talking about their opinions of ghosts when it's announced that someone there has seen a real ghost. The story then flashes back to a newlywed couple who finally find a house to call their own but they soon realize that they're not the only ones there.

THE GHOST OF RASHMON HALL is a film that not too many know about, which I guess is understandable since the film probably didn't get released anywhere outside the U.K. and even today not too many talk about it. The film was based on a short story and even the title is somewhat of a stretch because in the film the house is constantly called "Ramelsham" so I'm not sure what the deal is with the title. Either way, for the most part there's really nothing too special here and it certainly can't compare to movies like THE UNINVITED but if you view it on its own terms then there are a few good moments.

I think the best thing going for the picture is the ending, which I'm not going to spoil here but it's quite effective in its own way. I thought the film also benefits from some nice performances by Anne Howard, Alec Faversham and Valentin Dyall. There are several ghosts that appear throughout the film and while the special effects to show their appearances aren't all that special, the film still contains a nice bit of atmosphere. I'd also argue that at just 50 minutes the movie moves at a very good pace. With that said, the short running time means that there's really no character development or decent details in the story.

Still, THE GHOST OF RASHMON HALL is a film that probably deserves to be better known than it is. It's certainly not a masterpiece but it's actually better than some of the American films that are better known but not quite as good.

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.

This film is based on a short story by Sir Edward Bulwer-Lytton entitled 'The Haunters and the Haunted'. The film has come to be generally known by an alternative title as THE GHOST OF RASHMON HALL, but that is a mistake, presumably originating from some dyslexic person. The house in the film is not Rashmon Hall but Ramelsham Hall. We hear the correct name pronounced distinctly and see it written down in a book which the camera is shown. Few people have seen this rare film. Much of this film was made inside a genuine semi-derelict mansion, and that gives it a much more authentic atmosphere. The lead character is played by the extraordinary actor Valentine Dyall, very tall, droll, and mysterious. He has an insight into paranormal phenomena which his friends lack. Unfortunately, the appearances of ghosts in this film are very corny and done without finesse, obviously for lack of funds for special effects. Otherwise, the film is a remarkable period piece full of voices, mannerisms, and behavioural patterns which don't exist anymore, and is another one of those amazing 'social documents' for which old movies are so useful. The film has a surprise ending which no one could guess, so don't try. The director has attempted with the lowest of budgets to suggest an atmosphere of horror while showing next to nothing. Taking some lessons from Carl Dreyer's VAMPYR (1932) perhaps, the director Denis Kavanagh (in his second film, and he only made eight in his career) concentrates effectively on such simple things as a relentlessly dripping tap (which its sound magnified) and a swinging door, shadows, and the suggestion of horror rather than in showing us anything much. Dyall's eerie performance makes the whole project work. The film is an intriguing example of its genre for such a low budget production.

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.

Having listened to a ghost story on the wireless, a family are told a chilling tale of a real life ghost story that happened some years ago in their very house.

In theory this was right up my Street, I'm a big fan of these sinister mysteries from the 1940's, in reality however, I just didn't rate it. I'm not holding its age against it, there are many great films from the era, but this one doesn't hit the mark.

I'll start with the single positive, Doctor Clinton, a very fine performance from Valentine Dyall, and his commanding, velvet voice is put to great use, he really does stand out, sadly he makes most of the cast look very lacking.

I felt that it lacked atmosphere and suspense, the pacing was way too slow, when something finally did happen, my interest had all but gone.

It's a very low budget affair, and that tells, there are too many silent scenes with heavy music, so little actually happens for large parts, if you can stay focused on it, I applaud you.

It seems like a rare, lesser known film, so it's worth a look for that alone, just don't expect much, it has little to offer, other than Valentine Dyall.

4/10.