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.

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.

In this thriller now better known as GHOST OF RASHMON HAll, a British newly wed couple after searching in vain for a home of their own (remember this was made when there was a severe post war housing shortage in the U.K.) reluctantly buys an old mansion with a spooky history and moves in. Soon after moving in they encounter ghosts, poltergeists and other spooky goings on. A hundred years it seems the owner of the house's wife had an affair with a sailor, and when the affair was discovered, the wife and sailor were murdered. Realizing something must done, the husband brings in a doctor friend who is an expert on the the occult to rid the house of spirits.

This obscure, very low budget British item has some very creepy moments but suffers from stiff performances and crude production values. The film certainly looks as if it is a lot older than it is and seems to come from an era more remote than 1947. The film also has what is intended to be a surprise ending.