The Enchanted Cottage (1945)

A homely maid and a scarred ex-GI meet at the cottage where she works and where he was to spend his honeymoon prior to his accident. The two develop a bond and agree to marry, more out of ... See full summary »

Director:

John Cromwell

Writers:

DeWitt Bodeen, Herman J. Mankiewicz,

Stars:

Dorothy McGuire, Robert Young, Herbert Marshall

Nominated for 1 Oscar.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Dorothy McGuire	...	Laura Pennington
Robert Young	...	Oliver Bradford
Herbert Marshall	...	Major John Hillgrove
Mildred Natwick	...	Mrs. Abigail Minnett
Spring Byington	...	Violet Price
Hillary Brooke	...	Beatrice Alexander
Richard Gaines	...	Frederick 'Freddy' Price
Alec Englander	...	Danny 'Taxi' Stanton
Robert Clarke	...	Marine Corporal
Eden Nicholas	...	Soldier

Storyline

A homely maid and a scarred ex-GI meet at the cottage where she works and where he was to spend his honeymoon prior to his accident. The two develop a bond and agree to marry, more out of loneliness than love. The romantic spirit of the cottage, however, overtakes them. They soon begin to look beautiful to each other, but no one else.

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Plot Keywords:

cottage | loneliness | maid | veteran | marriage | 

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Taglines:

The whole town WHISPERED about these two!

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 September 1945 (Sweden)

Also Known As:

Mit den Augen der Liebe

Company Credits

Production Co:

RKO Radio Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

91 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In 1973 it was announced that a remake would be made. According to Young the setting would be updated and Dorothy McGuire and he would be playing the parts of the housekeeper and blind pianist originally played by Mildred Natwick and Herbert Marshall. The idea fell through after McGuire watched a screening of the original at Young's invitation at the actor's home. She said that the film belonged to another period and that she did not want to go backward.

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Goofs

When Major Hillgrove drops by to visit Oliver Bradford, he tells Laura Pennington that Mrs Miniver has gone to tell him. That character's name is Minnett, not Miniver.

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Quotes

Oliver Bradford: Well, apparently you don't complain!
Major John Hillgrove: You haven't given me a chance.

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Connections

Referenced in Sanford and Son: The Dowry (1972)

User Reviews

Touching, classic, romantic fantasy

This is a very touching, classic film that will stick with you for a long time. Robert Young and Dorothy McGuire play two "unattractive" outcasts who are literally transformed by their gradual discovery of love for one another. (Watch for the brief flash of McGuire "half beautiful/half homely" near the end of the film). Unusual roles for both Young and McGuire, and arguably their best performances in any film of that decade.

Herbert Marshall gives a deft, deceptively "understated" performance as the blind "middle man" who helps them to really "see" for the first time. Brief but memorable performances from strong supporting cast; Spring Byington, Mildred Natwick and Hillary Brooke. Thoughtful cinematography, lighting and set decorations help sustain the mood and help capture the "willing suspension of disbelief" to allow you to accept the film's "enchanted" gifts.

The film has an especially touching musical score. A "tone poem" played on piano by narrator Herbert Marshall is the spring board for the flashback that reveals the story. The haunting melody reoccurs throughout the film in various moods.

Rarely shown, and unfortunately not available on video, this wonderful film is available on Turner Classic Movies. Set your VCR or alarm clock to stay up after midnight for this one. It (the story) will haunt you for a long, long time. It would be an especially magical film to watch on the "big screen" should a repertory cinema near you have the good instincts to revive this classic.