A Place of One's Own

It is unhealthy to take seriously what is morbid superstition. A Place of One's Own is directed by Bernard Knowles and adapted to screenplay by Brock Williams from the novel written by Osbert Sitwell. Out of Gainsborough Pictures it stars James Mason, Barbara Mullen, Margaret Lockwood, Dennis Price and Dulcie Gray. Music is by Hubert Bath and cinematography by Stephen Dade. Retiring couple the Smedhurst's (Mason & Mullen) purchase Bellingham House and hire Annette Allenby (Lockwood) as a companion for Mrs. Smedhurst. Bellingham House had been empty for a number of years, and soon enough the new inhabitants, especially Annette, find out why. A gentle Edwardian ghost story that's full of charm and whimsical romance, it's clearly not a film for horror fans looking for a fright night in by candle light. There are a few nice supernatural touches such as hushed voices, the tinkling of the ivories, interior gust of wind, that sort of thing, while the possession angle is nicely handled by Knowles in what was his first major directing assignment. Gainsborough were hoping to replicate the success of the Man in Grey from two years earlier, which had starred Mason and Lockwood, but A Place of One's Own was a flop, with Mason himself later saying that he dropped the ball with this one. The problem is that the film is often too off-beat, with Mason cast as an elderly man and pretty much hamming it up to the point of detracting from Lockwood's fine work. Still, it's a very pleasing and harmless picture in spite of the mixed tonality, while having a Ernest Thesiger cameo is always a good thing. 6/10

I might have enjoyed this more had I not got it into my head that the heavily made up "Smedhurst" (James Mason) reminded me of Robert Donat's "Chips" (1939). Aside from that distraction, it's quite an engaging drama that sees him and his wife "Emilie" (Barbara Mullen) buy an old house with an history. It's lain empty since the death of "Miss Harkness" over a generation ago, and locals think it might be haunted. Bah, humbug think they and in they move, along with the much younger "Annette" (Margaret Lockwood). Shortly afterwards, she takes a shine to the young "Dr. Selbie" (Dennis Price) who reciprocates and they get engaged. All is set fair, but the house is still unsettled - something's definitely amiss with the young woman, she is becoming confused and irrational - calling for mysterious people long dead. Has she become possessed? A way must be found to put the demons to rest. It's quite fun, this - the writing is witty at times, the production well put together and both Lockwood and Mullen are on good form with this gently mysterious tale from Osbert Sitwell (a name in itself to remember). Not really the best title for the film, but worth watching.

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John Chard

CinemaSerf