Happy Ever After

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.

Has to be said that this is a wonderful little farce which pushes all the right buttons. Some great Irish accents and some dodgy 'oirish' accents.

Lots of familiar Irish actors who regularly appeared in British films during the 40's & 50's are on show. Some of the comedy pieces are very funny indeed.

For me though, George Cole as the put-upon, hyper-nervous cellar-boy Terence, whose comedic timing allows him to steal every scene he's in, is the standout amongst a very talented cast. I think Bernard Cribbins must have studied this performance for his 60's comedy film appearances.

The lovely Irish-born actress, Noelle Middleton, makes a rare screen showing. The following year she appeared with David Niven again, in the excellent Carrington V.C, for which she received a BAFTA Best Actress nomination.

A 'slow to start' film that in the end seems to finish too quickly.

All in all, a little gem, so it is!

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.

I have to agree with the consensus here that this a comic gem of its type. In its depiction of Irish country life it reminded me a lot of "The Quiet Man," right down to Barry Fitzgerald playing essentially the same character as in that flick, though its production values are not as high and it does not achieve the exalted rank John Ford attained with that movie. Still it's a sparkling comedy with a lot of cracklingly excellent dialogue. The viewer who commented that Niven shows his "dark side" is a bit off the mark, as this is hardly a movie about character development and Niven's character is basically a cartoon, very reminiscent of his Phileas Fogg in "Around the World in 80 Days." He may be nasty but it's hard to dislike him entirely. Yvonne deCarlo does excellent work here. She's great with accents; she's as convincing as an Irish woman here as she was as an Algerian in "The Captain's Paradise." Though the movie is not an Ealing Studios production, it has all the hallmarks of the best of that great studio's comedies in the post-WWII period. Be sure to catch this if you get the chance (thanks, TCM!).

There's nothing like David Niven in glorious Technicolor. His sparkling blue eyes, smooth tan skin, and bright white teeth combine for sheer perfection with unending charm. So, it's no wonder I enjoyed every minute of Happy Ever After (except for the first twenty minutes when he hadn't shown up yet). This movie was a huge hit in England and Ireland, so if you're big on "British humor" you'll love it. It's very, very British.

The Niv plays a new squire to an Irish county run with more love than rules. His ancestor was very lax on rent payments and shopkeeper dues, and on his deathbed, he generously released several men from the debts they owed. Niv isn't so kind, and he's out to "squeeze the lemon" for all he can get. He calls in every debt, due, and payment, and makes enemies of everyone in town except for golddigger Yvonne De Carlo. She's also out to "squeeze the lemon" and she's glad to be on The Niv's arm when he repeatedly makes the townsfolk angry and hurt. It doesn't take long before Barry Fitzgerald, George Cole, Michael Shepley, and the others decide to take matters into their own hands and get rid of the squire once and for all.

Perfect for St. Patrick's Day, or for a drinking party where you take a gulp every time the O'Leary ghost is mentioned, you can't get sillier than a bunch of Irish fools running around trying to bump each other off. You'll get plenty of eye candy, though. Yvonne gets to wear some really pretty dresses!