Castle in the Air

The Earl Of Locharne (David Tomlinson) is an impoverished Scottish laird who rents out his castle as a bed and breakfast. He relies on his assistant Bess Trent (Helen Cherry) for practical matters and she, in turn, is in love with him. One of his tenants is Miss Nicholson (Margaret Rutherford) who is a genealogist convinced that the Earl is the true King Of Scotland. The castle is also haunted by a mischevious ghost of Ermyntrude (Patricia Dainton). The action starts went two visitors come to the castle. Rich American divorcee Mrs. Clodfelter Dunne (Barbara Kelly) claims a Scottish heritage and is interested in buying the castle. Meanwhile National Coal Board official Mr. Phillips (Brian Oulton) is interested in requisitioning the castle as a rest home for miners. Assorted character actors (A.E. Matthews as a disgruntled tenant, Ewan Roberts as a butler and Clive Morton as an adjacent landowner) round out the cast. Obviously Mrs. Dunne competes with Miss Trent for the Earl's affection and with Mr. Phillips for the castle. Although this is a relatively modest effort I enjoyed it significantly. The young David Tomlinson plays a more adult character than his usual type as a "silly ass" Englishmen. I wasn't familiar with Helen Cherry, primarily a stage actress who was the real life wife of Trevor Howard, but she is attractive and charming. While I had often seen Brian Oulton over his long film career it was usually in one scene comedic character roles. It was Pleasant to see him in a much larger role with a greater range of emotion. Both Barbara Kelly and Patricia Dainton, like all the players, seemed to be enjoying themselves in the film. A special note on Margaret Rutherford who is single handedly worth the price of admission. The scene where she drags the Earl and Mrs. Dunne off to a meeting of the supporters for the Earl's claim to the throne of Scotland is delightful. Technical credits are good but modest, given the funding limits on British quota quickies of the period. All things considered a very pleasant way to spend time.

"Castle in the Air" is a clever British comedy. It stars David Tomlinson as a man who owns a large manor home...but simply cannot afford to keep it. However, two possibilities for dealing with it arise. First, a beaurocrat tells him that the government is considering requisitioning the place...meaning he'll probably only get a fraction of what it's worth. Second, a lady from the States arrives and says she's considering buying it. So, it's up to the Earl to focus on its best qualities around the lady as well as convince the beaurocrat that the place is a falling down dump. And, then there's the ghost...it's a nice ghost...but a ghost nevertheless. The craziest part of all this is that two women want this Earl...and it's hard to imagine even one!!

This is a clever little comedy....not a laugh out loud one but more of a cute slice of life film. Well acted and enjoyable throughout.

By the way, the American lady did not sound the least bit American. Sometimes the actress sounded very Canadian...others she sounded almost British...but she never sounded like a lady from Utah!

ANY movie with this star is worth the time. The only negative comment I have is that it was only 1 1/2 hours long. If you like this movie, try out Agatha Christie's movies starring Margaret Rutherford.

The screenplay by Edward Dryhurst. Based on a play by Alan Melville. I would love to see the play.

Earl of Locharne (David Tomlinson), his two devoted servants Boss Trent (Helen Cherry), and Menzies (Ewan Roberts) are having trouble keeping the old castle economically afloat. Adding to the mix is that the castle is probably going to be requisitioned by the government.

Hopefully, to save the day a distant relative, Mrs. Clodfelter Dunne, is interested in purchasing the castle. Throw in a resident ghost Ermyntrude (Patricia Dainton) and we have a making of a comedy of misunderstandings and what-not.

Do not miss Margaret Rutherford in this play the movie "Blithe Spirit" (1945.)

I just watched "Castle in the Air" on a DVD I bought from EBay. This 1952 B/W comedy is funny and a delight to watch.

The Earl of Locharne (David Tomlinson) presides over a dilapidated castle and is on the brink of bankruptcy. His loyal castle manager, Boss Trent (Helen Cherry) oversees the staff and helps The Earl fight off the creditors who appear at the castle gates. They give tours and rent out rooms to try to keep their heads above water. Miss Nicholson (the great Margaret Rutherford) is one of the boarders who is determined to prove that The Earl is the rightful king of Scotland. There's also a female ghost looming around the castle that appears every now and then.

Disaster looms when governemtn coal board member Mr. Phillips (Brian Oulton) wants to take over the castle as a hostel for coal miners and pay only a pittance for it. But, then a distant relative from Denver, Colorado, Mrs Dunne (Barbara Kelly) arrives. She is wealthy and is interested in buying the castle. Mrs Dunne also seems to be attracted to The Earl, something that's noticed by Boss.

It's quite funny and the movie works because the actors all make the viewers care about their characters. The audience sticks around to find out what will finally happen to the castle. And, who will the Earl end up with: Mrs. Dunne or Boss?

Watch Castle in the Air (1952) if you ever get the chance. It is a delightful little comedy.