The Ghosts of Berkeley Square

Having just watched this marvellous film of wit & charm I felt compelled to comment. A witty movie full of wonderful characters.

A gem of it's kind recommended for anyone who believes black & white means a bad movie but is prepared to be convinced.

However, I do not see why it is classified as horror/comedy as there is no trace of horror in the whole film.

Although over 50 years' old, this film's wit and imagination have not dated. Two retired 18th-century British army officers accidentally kill themselves and are required to haunt their house in London's Berkeley Square until visited by reigning royalty. All their attempts over the next two centuries to lure the British monarch to the house fail. During that time, their home is occupied by a succession of colourful tenants, including a house of ill repute, an Indian rajah with his harem, a World War I soldiers' hospital and a World War II officers' club.

Robert Morley and Felix Aylmer as the quintessentially British ghosts are excellent. Their characters' witty repartee and dogged determination form the backbone of the movie. The supporting cast is equally good, containing a broad range of England's best character actors of the 1940's.

The sets and costumes are imaginatively rendered and true to the various historic periods covered by the story. The varied and imaginative musical score greatly helps set the mood of each era. Much of the cinematography is remarkable; a single-take lengthy crane shot very early in the film is particularly impressive. This is probably the best movie made by director Vernon Sewell, whose long career encompassed very little distinctive work.

This entertaining and well-made film is worthy of re-discovery.

The cream of British comic acting talent could not disguise the somewhat thin script, that was clearly intended as a wartime morale booster, but somehow appeared past its sell-by date, in 1947. Its true length should have been half an hour but they didn't have TV then.

Nevertheless it has some fascination as a period piece, and we are kept in dull suspense wondering why they are waiting for the visit of a monarch, an interesting twist, which gives it its patriotic wartime message.

The best cameo is undoubtedly Yvonne Arnaud as the scatty Bordello keeper (who - for the benefit of those below a certain age or not French or British - continued to have great success on BBC comedy radio throughout the 1950s till her death aged 66.)

Robert Morley too, as usual, never fails to entertain.

Robert Morley and Felix Aylmer are a pair of Queen Anne era Colonel Blimps who have taken a nice house and live together. Thinking that the Duke of Marlborough is about to do something stupid they hatch a plot to kidnap him. But they blunder into their own trap and are killed.

The curse of Queen Anne falls on them. They are earthbound until a member of the royal house visits their dwelling. Otherwise they are a pretty lively pair and have all kinds of powers to use for their enjoyment and to get some royalty over to the place as the house passes through several different owners. A lot more than Marjorie Reynolds and Lou Costello had in The Time Of Their Lives which film bears some resemblance.

A bit of knowledge of British history helps in viewing this film. The ghosts are bound for over 300 years. And you won't believe what it takes to get a monarch to the place.

Very droll and witty a real treat for the ear that way.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Ghosts of Berkeley Square. It is perhaps too short, but there is a huge amount to like about it. The film has a very witty script that kept me amused all the time, brisk pacing and a fun story. The cinematography is quite remarkable, and the costumes and sets are imaginative. The music by Hans May is also sprightly, Vernon Sewell's direction is assured and all the characters are very likable. The cast are equally terrific, Robert Morley especially seems to be having a ball and it shows, it was a pleasure to watch him. It is just a shame that The Ghosts of Berkeley Square is so underseen, it isn't a favourite by all means but I thought it was very entertaining and a fun way to spend an hour-and-a-half of a day at home. 8/10 Bethany Cox