Blithe Spirit (film)

Infobox Film
name = Blithe Spirit


caption = DVD Cover
director = David Lean
producer = Noel Coward
writer = Noel Coward
Anthony Havelock-Allan
David Lean
Ronald Neame
starring = Rex Harrison
Constance Cummings
Kay Hammond
Margaret Rutherford
music = Richard Addinsell
cinematography = Ronald Neame
editing = Jack Harris
distributor = United Artists
released = UK 14 May 1945
USA 3 October 1945
runtime = 96 minutes
country = UK
awards =
language = English
budget =
preceded_by =
followed_by =
amg_id = 1:6065
imdb_id = 0038363The film "Blithe Spirit" is a 1945 British comedy film of the popular Noel Coward play. It was directed by David Lean and produced by Noel Coward. The screenplay was by Noel Coward based on his play and adapted for the screen by Anthony Havelock-Allan, David Lean and Ronald Neame. The music score was by Richard Addinsell and the cinematography by Ronald Neame. This was the second of three Noel Coward adaptations made by Lean's new company, Cineguild.

The film stars Rex Harrison, Constance Cummings, Kay Hammond and Margaret Rutherford with Joyce Carey and Noel Coward as narrator.

Unusually for the time, the film is in full colour.

Plot

Seeking material for his exposé about psychics, author Charles Condomine (Harrison) hires a medium named Madame Arcati (Rutherford) to his home to perform a séance. As Condomine, his wife (Cummings) and their guests restrain their laughter, the eccentric Arcati forges ahead with peculiar rituals and a propensity for clichés. Upon conclusion, Arcati is obviously concerned about a twist the séance had taken, although the author and his guests are dubious about anything extraordinary having occurred.

However, during the seance, the spirit of Condomine’s first wife, Elvira (played by Kay Hammond), has been accidentally summoned, and enters the house. The author, who is the only person capable of seeing Elvira, becomes both dismayed and amused at her sudden and unexpected presence. More complications ensue once Condomine’s current wife becomes aware of the ghost. Eventually, the author’s fascination wanes – especially when he learns that Elvira has been plotting his demise. But the spirit miscalculates and ends up dispatching Mrs. Condomine instead, after which the author is haunted by both of his deceased wives.

Arcati is contacted to rid his household of both spirits. Although she appears successful at first, it becomes obvious that one or more spirits have remained invisible in the house, and the plot to bring Charles Condomine into the spirit realm remains. He quickly decides to get out of the household for safety reasons, but his escape ultimately fails.

Response

Due to a delayed release in the U.S., "Blithe Spirit" won its Oscar for Best Effects/Special Effects in 1947. It was nominated for a Hugo award in 1946 for Best Dramatic Presentation, although the film is thoroughly comedic.

As with most of Coward’s work, "Blithe Spirit" is renowned for its dialogue. The following comment comes from Charles Condomine when arguing with his wife during a breakfast scene: “If you're trying to compile an inventory of my sex life, I feel it only fair to warn you that you've omitted several episodes. I shall consult my diary and give you a complete list after lunch.” This line, considered extremely risqué by censors of the time, was deleted from U.S. showings of the film.

Cast

*Rex Harrison
*Constance Cummings
*Kay Hammond
*Margaret Rutherford
*Joyce Carey
*Jacqueline Clarke

References

Notes

Bibliography

*The Great British Films, pp 79-81, Jerry Vermilye, 1978, Citadel Press, ISBN 080650661X

External links

* [http://www.screenonline.org.uk/film/id/485834/index.html British Film Institute]
*imdb title|id=0038363|title=Blithe Spirit
*amg title|id=1:6065|title=Blithe Spirit