This is a movie version of Noel Coward's play by the same name. Apparently Coward thought this film from David Lean was simply awful (actually, that's an understatement--see the IMDb trivia for what he actually said), but I enjoyed it nevertheless and don't know what upset him so. It seemed like all good fun.
Charles (Rex Harrison) is married to Ruth (Constance Cummings). Seven years earlier, he'd been married to Elvira (Kay Hammond) but she died of pneumonia, so not surprisingly he remarried. However, when the wife invites a goofy psychic (Margaret Rutherford) to the house to have a séance with some friends, VERY unexpected things result. It seems that Charles' old dead wife has now somehow returned and no one other than Charles seems to think she's there. In fact, Ruth thinks he's crazy! But, when Elvira is able to throw things about the house, Ruth is finally convinced. At first, it's just an odd annoyance. However, when Elvira decides to kill Charles so that he can join her in the afterlife, things get VERY strange and unexpected consequences result. I'd say more, but it might spoil all the fun.
The film is quite fun and the acting is nice. It's simple, silly fun--and perhaps Coward wanted more out of the film, but I think for me that's quite enough to make it worth seeing.
Charles (Rex Harrison) is married to Ruth (Constance Cummings). Seven years earlier, he'd been married to Elvira (Kay Hammond) but she died of pneumonia, so not surprisingly he remarried. However, when the wife invites a goofy psychic (Margaret Rutherford) to the house to have a séance with some friends, VERY unexpected things result. It seems that Charles' old dead wife has now somehow returned and no one other than Charles seems to think she's there. In fact, Ruth thinks he's crazy! But, when Elvira is able to throw things about the house, Ruth is finally convinced. At first, it's just an odd annoyance. However, when Elvira decides to kill Charles so that he can join her in the afterlife, things get VERY strange and unexpected consequences result. I'd say more, but it might spoil all the fun.
The film is quite fun and the acting is nice. It's simple, silly fun--and perhaps Coward wanted more out of the film, but I think for me that's quite enough to make it worth seeing.