Castle in the Air

'Castle in the Air' was practically forgotten for a long time, and still is not that well known. While it is not a great film by any stretch of the imagination, it is a nice way to pass the time if with not enough for it to be a personal favourite or watched over and over.

The cast are definitely the reason to see 'Castle in the Air' and they are the best thing about it. Margaret Rutherford's splendidly dotty performance steals the show and Patricia Dainton makes the most of her role. Helen Cherry is very charming and it was a shame that she didn't make it bigger. Pre-'Mary Poppins' and 'Bedknobs and Broomsticks' David Tomlinson may be unconvincing as a Scot but he has the authority and also the lightness for his role and is always in keeping with the film's tone.

It looks attractive and atmospheric, it is not a cinematic-looking film but looked like it was made with skill and not in an amateur way. The music may not be classic standard but it has a pleasant energy and sounds appealing. Throughout 'Castle in the Air' has a cosy charm and gentle wit, it is not dull and it makes sense on the whole. The direction is competent.

However, 'Castle in the Air' drags slightly in the middle and has an over-stuffed and muddled ending. It also tries to do a little too much genre-wise and in a way that while coherent it doesn't quite come together.

Parts at times feel tossed in and don't add as much to everything as much as they should, or are just about necessary but not enough is done with them.

Summing up, nice enough and worth watching, a decent time-passer if you will, but not much more than that. 6/10 Bethany Cox

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.)

"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!

There is a good cast for this mildly amusing but unexceptional comedy by Alan Melville who wrote many plays,films and TV series in the fifties and sixties.Margaret Rutherford seems rather underused and relying far too much on her Madame Arcati role.David Tomlinson is on his way up to stardom.Barbara Kelly would find more fame on TV.Helen Cherry was married to Trevor Howard but never really found true stardom for herself.Lots of well known character actors such as A.E>Matthes do their thing.However this film is never more than faintly amusing.Not worth 7/10its current rating.At the end it is really nothing more than a filmed stage play.

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.