Year of Release: 1945Country of Origin: UK
Director: David Lean
Cast: Rex Harrison, Constance Cummings, Kay Hammond, Margaret Rutherford
Plot outline: Seeking material for his new book about psychics, author Charles Condomine and his second wife Ruth invite a medium to their home to perform a séance. During the séance, Charles' first wife Elvira accidentally returns from beyond the grave ... and she has a purpose: to possess Charles forever! (IMDb)
Based on Noel Coward's play of the same title, even though I don't like this movie as much as other David Lean's masterpieces, it is good fun for the whole family. Never has a movie about death been so funny. It is original, spunky and entertaining. While Rex Harrison and Constance Cummings take the roles of the normals, Kay Hammond as the blithe spirit of the first wife Elvira and especially Margaret Rutherford as the eccentric Madame Arcati take every advantage of their characters' unusual behaviour to demonstrate their acting ability. Unfortunately, Ms. Rutherford's performance was overlooked at the Oscars. She is by all means the star of the movie. It was also incorporated some of the most sophisticated special effects yet seen in a movie (it won an Oscar for Best Special Effects). I particularly like the ending ... it's a good surprise and well within the theme of the movie.
My judgement: **1/2 out of 4 stars
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