It's a little quaint by today's standards, but the writing is witty and the cinematography is excellent. More than that, it's an opportunity to see a 36 year old James Mason acting in a role where he ages 25 years. This was the one Gainsborough film he actually wanted to make, although he had hit the top of the charts with other Gainsborough Gothics such as The Wicked Lady and The Man in Grey. I was rather astonished at his ability to transform his extraordinary brooding good looks into those of a kindly, elderly gentleman with a twinkle in his eye. His gait, voice, and body movements so fitted the role of the elderly man, I believe he could have fooled me without all the makeup.
39 Reviews
Not your typical ghost story.
mark.waltz21 May 2018
Warning: Spoilers
With only a subtle bit of horror, this romantic melodrama focuses on the companion (Margaret Lockwood) hired by Barbara Mullen to work for her in the new home purchased by her husband (James Mason). The aging couple know there is a bit of a mystery surrounding the house, but when Lockwood begins to act rather oddly, it is obvious that something or someone is taking over her personality! Wearing old age make-up, Mullen and Mason give very credible performances as the retired couple who have moved to the country, and Lockwood, having been sinister in several pictures such as "The Man in Grey" and "The Wicked Lady", gets to combine gentility with the subtle display of sinister intentions when she is taken over by the fragile home bound ghost who while alive committed suicide after being jilted. Mason begins to investigate the history of their house in order to help Lockwood who has become like the daughter he and Mullen never had. It's ironic that the unseen phantom does not take over until Lockwood has fallen in love with Mason's house guest (Dennis Price) who becomes concerned over the obvious changes he sees in her personality.
With this film and "Dead of Night", British cinema proved that it could do seriously themed horror movies that were both chilling and excellent examples of how film could become a work of art. The entire cast is superb, and Mason is barely recognizable in his gray hair and aged make-up. Of the supporting cast, Dulcie Gray is excellent as Mason and Mullen's maid. The bird-like Edie Martin is hysterically funny as the prim and proper (and gossipy) cook, with "Bride of Frankenstein's" Ernest Thesiger also very good in a small role as a doctor of the occult who has many of the answers Mason has questions for. This shows how you can grab the audience and keep their attention strictly through subtleties and not going overboard on special effects, of which this has little to none of. I was surprised to read that this was considered a box office disappointment, but perhaps that is a tribute to its artistic qualities which might have gone over the head of most film goers looking for escapism and a bit more horrific environment considering the goings on with World War II.
With this film and "Dead of Night", British cinema proved that it could do seriously themed horror movies that were both chilling and excellent examples of how film could become a work of art. The entire cast is superb, and Mason is barely recognizable in his gray hair and aged make-up. Of the supporting cast, Dulcie Gray is excellent as Mason and Mullen's maid. The bird-like Edie Martin is hysterically funny as the prim and proper (and gossipy) cook, with "Bride of Frankenstein's" Ernest Thesiger also very good in a small role as a doctor of the occult who has many of the answers Mason has questions for. This shows how you can grab the audience and keep their attention strictly through subtleties and not going overboard on special effects, of which this has little to none of. I was surprised to read that this was considered a box office disappointment, but perhaps that is a tribute to its artistic qualities which might have gone over the head of most film goers looking for escapism and a bit more horrific environment considering the goings on with World War II.
Slow burn but enjoyable.
utgard1424 October 2013
I should caution anyone that may be slightly impatient that you'll have to stick with this one for awhile before the story kicks into gear. Over the course of the first forty minutes or so it's a story focused on two elderly people and their young helper who meets a boy she falls in love with. This is all enjoyable enough, if a bit dull, depending on one's tolerance for such stories in older films. There's a sprinkling of mysterious goings-on building to what's to come later, but just a sprinkling. This isn't to discourage anyone from trying the movie. I just want to prepare you to view this when you aren't watching a clock. The pace does pick up midway through and here's where the mystery elements of the film really come into play.
All of the actors are good, particularly Margaret Lockwood. As others have pointed out, James Mason and Barbara Mullen are playing characters twice their age for some inexplicable reason. But they do well, with the usual "old people are kind and sweet and amusingly cantankerous" trope that permeated movies of the time. Ernest Thesiger has what amounts to a brief cameo (where he's dubbed, oddly). The role is important to the plot but given how little of his face you see, the part really could have been played by anybody. One more note: this is in no way a scary film. Some of the characters in the story may become frightened or bewildered but to the audience this is more of a mystery film with some supernatural overtones. This is worth pointing out for those expecting something akin to The Innocents or The Haunting. Still, it's a good but not great mystery film with some nice heart-warming humor and sentimentalism. Added points if you like British films of the period where everyone speaks and acts quite properly, except for the servants who add touches of color and comedy relief.
All of the actors are good, particularly Margaret Lockwood. As others have pointed out, James Mason and Barbara Mullen are playing characters twice their age for some inexplicable reason. But they do well, with the usual "old people are kind and sweet and amusingly cantankerous" trope that permeated movies of the time. Ernest Thesiger has what amounts to a brief cameo (where he's dubbed, oddly). The role is important to the plot but given how little of his face you see, the part really could have been played by anybody. One more note: this is in no way a scary film. Some of the characters in the story may become frightened or bewildered but to the audience this is more of a mystery film with some supernatural overtones. This is worth pointing out for those expecting something akin to The Innocents or The Haunting. Still, it's a good but not great mystery film with some nice heart-warming humor and sentimentalism. Added points if you like British films of the period where everyone speaks and acts quite properly, except for the servants who add touches of color and comedy relief.
Slow winding haunted house story.
lost-in-limbo9 October 2005
An old house, which has a terrible story behind it. Is taken over by an elderly couple, and the spirit of a murdered girl possesses the mistress's young companion from time to time. But it takes awhile for the occupants of the house to pick up on it, as they think that the strange happenings are caused by their staff and don't think too much of it. That's until they learn more about the tragic history of the house and come to accept that they share the estate with a depressed spirit.
RKO studios turn out a nicely made ghost story, which holds a certain amount of charm, and on show is a beautifully elegant production. Although saying that, it not terribly thick in depth. A lot of things are totally glazed over, with certain plot details being pushed aside or briskly concluded. Meaning it does lack tension in parts and the mystery of the house does get rather bogged down to be totally effective. It leans more towards drama/mystery and adds a romance story, than really showing anything horrifying or drumming up suspense. Although there's one scene that stands out from the rest towards the end it's a neat twist to end it off with. But nonetheless it's a family drama with light touches of horror, where the awkward love sub-plot seems to make the ghost story play second fiddle to it. Which is too bad, as there's a mystery around every turn with the strange occurrences building up slowly from our mysterious ghost. I just wished it shared a bit more focus on it.
Overall, it's a polished effort with the house being the centrepiece, (sometimes you could easily tell it was small model) and the disquieting nature of the building fills the atmosphere. There's no real score other than for the thriving one in the intro and ending credits. Well, you got one of your characters playing the piano in the film. But I thought it benefited from not having one run throughout the film. The photography was rather outstanding, especially the moving angles throughout the house.
Bernard Knowles directs a simple, but yet slightly engrossing picture that has a solid plot (if rather slow going), with a tight script and exceptional performances from the likes of James Mason and Barbara Mullen.
RKO studios turn out a nicely made ghost story, which holds a certain amount of charm, and on show is a beautifully elegant production. Although saying that, it not terribly thick in depth. A lot of things are totally glazed over, with certain plot details being pushed aside or briskly concluded. Meaning it does lack tension in parts and the mystery of the house does get rather bogged down to be totally effective. It leans more towards drama/mystery and adds a romance story, than really showing anything horrifying or drumming up suspense. Although there's one scene that stands out from the rest towards the end it's a neat twist to end it off with. But nonetheless it's a family drama with light touches of horror, where the awkward love sub-plot seems to make the ghost story play second fiddle to it. Which is too bad, as there's a mystery around every turn with the strange occurrences building up slowly from our mysterious ghost. I just wished it shared a bit more focus on it.
Overall, it's a polished effort with the house being the centrepiece, (sometimes you could easily tell it was small model) and the disquieting nature of the building fills the atmosphere. There's no real score other than for the thriving one in the intro and ending credits. Well, you got one of your characters playing the piano in the film. But I thought it benefited from not having one run throughout the film. The photography was rather outstanding, especially the moving angles throughout the house.
Bernard Knowles directs a simple, but yet slightly engrossing picture that has a solid plot (if rather slow going), with a tight script and exceptional performances from the likes of James Mason and Barbara Mullen.
An Enjoyable Gainsborough Gothic Romp
howardmorley20 July 2007
I enjoyed this the latest addition to my Margaret Lockwood collection of films.It was filmed the same year,(1945) , that she produced her most famous role of the evil, beautiful, Lady Barbara Skelton in "The Wicked Lady".In "A Place of Our Own" she looks her dark, ravishing best in the "good" role of Annette, the lady companion to Mrs Smedhurst, (Barbara Mullen).
It is a pity that in the eyes of the general public "The Wicked Lady" has crowded out from their conscience her other "good" roles.Most notably, apart from this film, was "The Lady Vanishes" and "Bank Holiday" both from 1938 and "Girl in the News" and "Night Train to Munich" both from 1940 also "Love Story" (from 1944).James Mason for once puts aside his usual sophisticated and sadistic role (such as he played in "The Man in Grey"(1943) with Margaret, Stewart Grainger and Anna Neagle) and plays a sympathetic man twice his age at the time.He plays a plain speaking Yorshireman, Mr Smedhurst, who has spent his entire working life as a draper and now wishes to settle into retirement living in an old house the estate agent had difficulty selling.This role presumably caused James Mason no problems seeing as he was born in Huddersfield.("We're plain speaking folk up there").This is the third film where I've seen Margaret Lockwood "play" the piano well.For other films see "Love Story" and "Inspector Trent's Last Case" (1952).Was that devine music I heard a Chopin prelude? Being a period piece and ghostly it is quite interesting and held my attention to the end.I agree here with another reviewer, it could have been directed with slightly more tension and hence it has only a touch of Gothic suspense.I wonder what Hitchcock would have done with the direction but he was firmly established in Hollywood at the time.I gave it a rating of 6/10.
It is a pity that in the eyes of the general public "The Wicked Lady" has crowded out from their conscience her other "good" roles.Most notably, apart from this film, was "The Lady Vanishes" and "Bank Holiday" both from 1938 and "Girl in the News" and "Night Train to Munich" both from 1940 also "Love Story" (from 1944).James Mason for once puts aside his usual sophisticated and sadistic role (such as he played in "The Man in Grey"(1943) with Margaret, Stewart Grainger and Anna Neagle) and plays a sympathetic man twice his age at the time.He plays a plain speaking Yorshireman, Mr Smedhurst, who has spent his entire working life as a draper and now wishes to settle into retirement living in an old house the estate agent had difficulty selling.This role presumably caused James Mason no problems seeing as he was born in Huddersfield.("We're plain speaking folk up there").This is the third film where I've seen Margaret Lockwood "play" the piano well.For other films see "Love Story" and "Inspector Trent's Last Case" (1952).Was that devine music I heard a Chopin prelude? Being a period piece and ghostly it is quite interesting and held my attention to the end.I agree here with another reviewer, it could have been directed with slightly more tension and hence it has only a touch of Gothic suspense.I wonder what Hitchcock would have done with the direction but he was firmly established in Hollywood at the time.I gave it a rating of 6/10.
Something Left Behind...
azathothpwiggins27 September 2021
A PLACE OF ONE'S OWN is about Mr. And Mrs. Smedhurst (James Mason and Barbara Mullen) who move into an old mansion, only to find that it could be haunted by its former occupant.
Mrs. Smedhurst's companion, Annette (Margaret Lockwood) soon begins to exhibit odd behaviors, as well as talents that she never had before.
This all has to do with something that occurred in the past that won't stay buried.
If you enjoy tales of the supernatural, seasoned with mystery and suspense, then you should love this movie. The tension builds to a nice, shivery event near the end.
A very well-made ghost story...
Mrs. Smedhurst's companion, Annette (Margaret Lockwood) soon begins to exhibit odd behaviors, as well as talents that she never had before.
This all has to do with something that occurred in the past that won't stay buried.
If you enjoy tales of the supernatural, seasoned with mystery and suspense, then you should love this movie. The tension builds to a nice, shivery event near the end.
A very well-made ghost story...
a little slow
blanche-26 July 2009
James Mason and Barbara Mullen have "A Place of One's Own" in this 1945 film also starring Margaret Lockwood and Dennis Price. The only problem is, someone else owns it, too - the ghost of the former owner, which Mr. and Mrs. Smedhurst (Mason and Mullen) discover when they move in. When they hire a companion for Mrs. Smedhurst, the beautiful Annette, things become very strange indeed. The more they learn about the former owner, the stranger it gets.
Mason for some reason, at the age of about 36, plays an elderly man; Barbara Mullen was a little older, but not by much. I immediately thought the story would be told in flashback, with Mason playing a younger man, but no. He does an excellent job. He has the walk and the voice of an old man. Lockwood creates a wonderful character, very sweet and genuine. She had a very wide range as an actress, as she proved in one of her best roles,in Wicked Lady, and years later, in Cast a Dark Shadow.
"A Place of One's Own" is slow and, for this writer anyway, totally predictable. If I had seen it in 1945, I might have felt differently. Despite good performances, it didn't really hold my attention. If you're not familiar with this genre, you will undoubtedly enjoy it more than I did. I came away feeling it was just okay.
Mason for some reason, at the age of about 36, plays an elderly man; Barbara Mullen was a little older, but not by much. I immediately thought the story would be told in flashback, with Mason playing a younger man, but no. He does an excellent job. He has the walk and the voice of an old man. Lockwood creates a wonderful character, very sweet and genuine. She had a very wide range as an actress, as she proved in one of her best roles,in Wicked Lady, and years later, in Cast a Dark Shadow.
"A Place of One's Own" is slow and, for this writer anyway, totally predictable. If I had seen it in 1945, I might have felt differently. Despite good performances, it didn't really hold my attention. If you're not familiar with this genre, you will undoubtedly enjoy it more than I did. I came away feeling it was just okay.
This is so NOT a good movie
tobermory2-12 October 2022
Warning: Spoilers
I wanted to like this film, and I generally do enjoy a thoughtful ghost story, but this film makes it clear early on that it's not "The Uninvited." Heck, it's not even a Casper the Friendly Ghost episode! So little happens that you find yourself wanting to pick up a book to read as we have yet another LONG sequence of someone walking through the house-- they are endless and pointless. E,g,. James Mason is going from the drawing room to the kitchen to ask the maid a simple question and we see each room, each doorway, each ponderous step the entire distance. It is not suspense, it is padding pure and simple. Indeed a very large portion of this movie is padding to the point that you begin to wonder if you're watching a movie at all or an extremely dull reality show from 1906.
It didn't bother me so much that nothing was explained or that we never see the "ghost," what I found very annoying was oft repeated scenes. Mason talks to the real estate agent-- never to any satisfying conclusion-- again and again and again. There is NO development. The "elderly" couple speaks of how our ingenue is like a daughter to them over and over until you just want to scream. Lockwood seems to have two acting techniques-- smiling vapidly or softly moaning with her eyes shut and mumbling phrases over and over and over. (Am I repeating myself?)
In some ways, the cast did a banner job with the poor script and it is, I admit, amusing to see Mason and Mullen playing characters thirty or more years older than themselves (but even this falls flat as you can see that is exactly what they are doing.) Some fun character actors, the best being O,B, Clarence as the local gossip are sprinkled into the film, but all this is for naught as the plot simply goes no where and makes no sense-- keeping the dying woman in the house that is killing her and repeatedly talking about tearing the house down "brick by brick," words you hear again and again.
This film is a total time sink. Watching clothes dry on the line is more fun and interesting especially as there IS development there-- the clothes dry.
It didn't bother me so much that nothing was explained or that we never see the "ghost," what I found very annoying was oft repeated scenes. Mason talks to the real estate agent-- never to any satisfying conclusion-- again and again and again. There is NO development. The "elderly" couple speaks of how our ingenue is like a daughter to them over and over until you just want to scream. Lockwood seems to have two acting techniques-- smiling vapidly or softly moaning with her eyes shut and mumbling phrases over and over and over. (Am I repeating myself?)
In some ways, the cast did a banner job with the poor script and it is, I admit, amusing to see Mason and Mullen playing characters thirty or more years older than themselves (but even this falls flat as you can see that is exactly what they are doing.) Some fun character actors, the best being O,B, Clarence as the local gossip are sprinkled into the film, but all this is for naught as the plot simply goes no where and makes no sense-- keeping the dying woman in the house that is killing her and repeatedly talking about tearing the house down "brick by brick," words you hear again and again.
This film is a total time sink. Watching clothes dry on the line is more fun and interesting especially as there IS development there-- the clothes dry.
Unlike Most Mysteries
Keetoo30 July 2007
I just loved this movie. It kept my interest in a most peculiar way, and it took me nearly to the end of the picture before I figured it out. None of the key scenes were ever emphasized with dramatic music swelling up, down, or out....anywhere. In fact, it did not have any music except for the piano playing in one scene. Most unusual. This movie came across almost as "play-like", without the typical "movie" accents. Very different, very good. The only drawback, if you can really call it that, was the distraction of James Mason made up to be a man much older than his original years when he made this. The make up artist utilized a lot of "spirit-gum" that was used around his face, and unfortunately, it is noticeable in many scenes. But don't let that deter you from seeing this wonderful film!
A Stylish ghost story
Handlinghandel29 August 2007
The movie begins as an elderly couple close the deal on a beautiful house. That's one of the meanings of the title: The wife has always wanted a beautiful house of their own.
But ah! Villagers very soon start talking: The couple got it at a good price because it is haunted and no one else has wanted to touch it.
James Mason plays the old gent. He is made up and dressed to seem at least twice the age he was. The voice is recognizable, though. Even without knowing the cast in advance, I'd have known his voice. He does a good job, not overacting or hamming up the idea of playing old. (I don't think he in fact did age in this way, but who could have known?) Something about playing older characters fascinates actors. Robert Donat won an Oscar for it in "Good-bye, Mr. Chips." The first time I saw that movie, in a revival theater, I was knocked out by it. But I have to say that Mason overplays a little less than Donat, as far as playing an older man.
Mason's wife engages a companion. In a way this is a plot device. We're never completely sure why she has done this. The companion is the lovely Margaret Lockwood. Soon she is saying things she doesn't understand and playing pieces she's never played before on the piano in the house.
Beyond that I will not go. All this happens early in the movie.
The smaller roles are beautifully cast. It has an elegant look. I wouldn't call it a great movie but it certainly held my interest.
But ah! Villagers very soon start talking: The couple got it at a good price because it is haunted and no one else has wanted to touch it.
James Mason plays the old gent. He is made up and dressed to seem at least twice the age he was. The voice is recognizable, though. Even without knowing the cast in advance, I'd have known his voice. He does a good job, not overacting or hamming up the idea of playing old. (I don't think he in fact did age in this way, but who could have known?) Something about playing older characters fascinates actors. Robert Donat won an Oscar for it in "Good-bye, Mr. Chips." The first time I saw that movie, in a revival theater, I was knocked out by it. But I have to say that Mason overplays a little less than Donat, as far as playing an older man.
Mason's wife engages a companion. In a way this is a plot device. We're never completely sure why she has done this. The companion is the lovely Margaret Lockwood. Soon she is saying things she doesn't understand and playing pieces she's never played before on the piano in the house.
Beyond that I will not go. All this happens early in the movie.
The smaller roles are beautifully cast. It has an elegant look. I wouldn't call it a great movie but it certainly held my interest.
A place one should leave immediately
AAdaSC30 October 2016
It's turn of the century England and retired couple – the Smedhursts - James Mason and Barbara Mullen buy a large manor house in the countryside at a good price. A companion for Mullen arrives in the form of Margaret Lockwood (Annette) and we get the developing of a romance when Lockwood meets Dennis Price (Dr Selbie) at a dinner party at the house. However, there is a reason why the house was sold at such a cheap price to Mason and everyone soon finds out this reason. We have a spirit still in residence. It's the spirit of a woman who was murdered and she starts to take over Lockwood's character. This possession needs to be resolved.
I like this type of film but I have to say that there are quite a few irritations with this offering that bring down its overall effect. I wanted to like it but here is what is wrong - the casting of Mason and Mullen as elderly people. This may have been OK if we were to dissolve to a flashback story, but this doesn't happen. They are two main characters who remain this way for the duration of the film. Two problems lead on from this, firstly, your face totally changes as you get older. I no longer look anything like the gorgeous specimen I was in my early 20's – my gorgeousness now looks totally different – I've still got it, though. So, it's not good enough to apply a bit of makeup onto a younger actor and believe that is the job done to portray the same person in old age. They should have just cast 2 older actors. Secondly, there seems to have been no lines applied to the face of Mullen so she just looks young and therefore cast wrong as Mason's wife. With portraying an older character comes the trap of hamming things up – you know, start shaking your hands a bit, over-exaggerated sitting down and walking, a bit of forgetfulness, etc. All totally crap and I'm afraid Mason hams it up on this front to my great annoyance. This is not a good performance by him. And stop calling your wife "Mother"!
Sticking with these two main characters, what is going on with their accents? Terrible attempt by Mason at a Yorkshire accent and he sticks with it for the whole film. You expect Mason to speak like Mason – don't change a winning formula. You'd never guess that he was actually born in Yorkshire – it's a disgraceful attempt. And as for Mullen's accent – where is she from?
Aside from these two weak leads, we have a slow moving film. I'm afraid it gets boring despite the interesting premise. There isn't nearly enough tension and suspense and everything is predictable including the ending which is one of the film's standout sequences. Guessed that one a mile in advance. The story is also frustratingly developed as the first thing a normal person would have done would have been to find "Dr Marsham" and find out the cause of death for the woman all those years ago. It takes these clowns 5,000 years to get round to doing the bleeding obvious. Finally, the melodramatic facial expressions of Mullen ruin the film. One example comes when she pulls a face that suggests the she has seen an apparition off camera and we as the audience prepare for the camera to pan round and reveal the vision that she is currently fixated on. Well, she's just messing about, apparently, giving totally misleading facial cues to us. The film also has too much comedy – not another old guy in a pub hamming it up and dragging out a scene as he pretends to have a failing memory – Jeees!
Set against the annoyances as described above, there are good sequences – the night that Lockwood hears the piano and goes to investigate as well as some nice ideas such as the voice over the gardener's shoulder telling him to dig up a section of garden. It would have been more effective to actually see this incident, though. The best in the cast are Helen Hayes (Mrs Tutthorn) and housemaid Dulcie Gray (Sarah). Hayes should have had more of a prominent role.
I'm annoyed and disappointed because this film should have been better.
I like this type of film but I have to say that there are quite a few irritations with this offering that bring down its overall effect. I wanted to like it but here is what is wrong - the casting of Mason and Mullen as elderly people. This may have been OK if we were to dissolve to a flashback story, but this doesn't happen. They are two main characters who remain this way for the duration of the film. Two problems lead on from this, firstly, your face totally changes as you get older. I no longer look anything like the gorgeous specimen I was in my early 20's – my gorgeousness now looks totally different – I've still got it, though. So, it's not good enough to apply a bit of makeup onto a younger actor and believe that is the job done to portray the same person in old age. They should have just cast 2 older actors. Secondly, there seems to have been no lines applied to the face of Mullen so she just looks young and therefore cast wrong as Mason's wife. With portraying an older character comes the trap of hamming things up – you know, start shaking your hands a bit, over-exaggerated sitting down and walking, a bit of forgetfulness, etc. All totally crap and I'm afraid Mason hams it up on this front to my great annoyance. This is not a good performance by him. And stop calling your wife "Mother"!
Sticking with these two main characters, what is going on with their accents? Terrible attempt by Mason at a Yorkshire accent and he sticks with it for the whole film. You expect Mason to speak like Mason – don't change a winning formula. You'd never guess that he was actually born in Yorkshire – it's a disgraceful attempt. And as for Mullen's accent – where is she from?
Aside from these two weak leads, we have a slow moving film. I'm afraid it gets boring despite the interesting premise. There isn't nearly enough tension and suspense and everything is predictable including the ending which is one of the film's standout sequences. Guessed that one a mile in advance. The story is also frustratingly developed as the first thing a normal person would have done would have been to find "Dr Marsham" and find out the cause of death for the woman all those years ago. It takes these clowns 5,000 years to get round to doing the bleeding obvious. Finally, the melodramatic facial expressions of Mullen ruin the film. One example comes when she pulls a face that suggests the she has seen an apparition off camera and we as the audience prepare for the camera to pan round and reveal the vision that she is currently fixated on. Well, she's just messing about, apparently, giving totally misleading facial cues to us. The film also has too much comedy – not another old guy in a pub hamming it up and dragging out a scene as he pretends to have a failing memory – Jeees!
Set against the annoyances as described above, there are good sequences – the night that Lockwood hears the piano and goes to investigate as well as some nice ideas such as the voice over the gardener's shoulder telling him to dig up a section of garden. It would have been more effective to actually see this incident, though. The best in the cast are Helen Hayes (Mrs Tutthorn) and housemaid Dulcie Gray (Sarah). Hayes should have had more of a prominent role.
I'm annoyed and disappointed because this film should have been better.
My brief review of the film
sol-7 October 2005
Although it could have done with a larger dose of atmosphere, and much less comic relief and romance, this is still a highly engaging classic film, with a number of thrilling moments and interesting ideas to keep it moving along. James Mason is excellent, even if sometimes a bit over-the-top, convincingly playing a character twice his age in real life. The photography is quite magnificent, with glides and pans effectively distributed throughout. The characters are generally good too, and in fact, there is little to complain about with this production. Lockwood's performance does lack conviction though, but almost everything else is great in this film about life, death, superstitions and more.
A fun drawing room ghost drama, more romance than suspense
secondtake9 April 2011
A Place of One's Own (1945)
Well, there are some things here that will enchant a movie lover already in love with old movies. For one, James Mason pulls off an old man brilliantly. You hardly know it's him, and he has the poise and delivery that make him always impressive. And then the story itself, about a ghost of sorts who has unfinished business in a house that Mason and his wife have moved into, is charming and given some nice complications (existential ones, in a way).
For me this wasn't enough. I found the filming (photography and editing) stodgy, and in this sense all too British. (I know, this is a terrible stereotype, but in fact a lot of British movies have a staged, stiff feel to them, and this doesn't include all the ones that do not, including, for example, the 1949 "The Third Man.") But this is a British movie, a filmed play of sorts, based on a novel with a fixed location (the haunted house). But this isn't a haunted house kind of movie, but rather a literary affair, with lots of talk (another British movie tendency) and some eventual "explanation" (which Mason delivers with ease).
The main idea is a terrific one, a house and then a young woman being possessed, and one doctor and then another drawn into the cure. This second doctor adds a nice twist to it all, which is revealed by the end. It ends up being an archly high romance, and great on that level.
Well, there are some things here that will enchant a movie lover already in love with old movies. For one, James Mason pulls off an old man brilliantly. You hardly know it's him, and he has the poise and delivery that make him always impressive. And then the story itself, about a ghost of sorts who has unfinished business in a house that Mason and his wife have moved into, is charming and given some nice complications (existential ones, in a way).
For me this wasn't enough. I found the filming (photography and editing) stodgy, and in this sense all too British. (I know, this is a terrible stereotype, but in fact a lot of British movies have a staged, stiff feel to them, and this doesn't include all the ones that do not, including, for example, the 1949 "The Third Man.") But this is a British movie, a filmed play of sorts, based on a novel with a fixed location (the haunted house). But this isn't a haunted house kind of movie, but rather a literary affair, with lots of talk (another British movie tendency) and some eventual "explanation" (which Mason delivers with ease).
The main idea is a terrific one, a house and then a young woman being possessed, and one doctor and then another drawn into the cure. This second doctor adds a nice twist to it all, which is revealed by the end. It ends up being an archly high romance, and great on that level.
Tepid ghost story fails to reach its potential...
Doylenf30 July 2007
Slow-moving, old-fashioned and offering nothing new in the way of ghost stories, circa 1900. It seems that an elderly couple (JAMES MASON in age make-up) has moved into an old house that hasn't been lived in for forty years. Rumors persist that the place is haunted by the ghost of a young girl. When the couple hires a companion (MARGARET LOCKWOOD), the young woman feels as though someone else is taking over her personality at times. She gives a rather overwrought performance when under the influence.
One can't help noticing how the make-up artists failed to do anything about James Mason's hands--which are quite obviously the smooth, unwrinkled hands (often shown in close-ups) of a thirty-year old.
It's a good 45 minutes before the film picks up the atmosphere of a real ghost story--but even then it fails to deliver the appropriate chills.
Summing up: All the ingredients for a good ghost story are wasted on a tedious script that never rises above the ordinary. The story, sluggishly directed, simply lacks vitality despite Mason's good performance as an elderly man and competent performances from the British cast.
One can't help noticing how the make-up artists failed to do anything about James Mason's hands--which are quite obviously the smooth, unwrinkled hands (often shown in close-ups) of a thirty-year old.
It's a good 45 minutes before the film picks up the atmosphere of a real ghost story--but even then it fails to deliver the appropriate chills.
Summing up: All the ingredients for a good ghost story are wasted on a tedious script that never rises above the ordinary. The story, sluggishly directed, simply lacks vitality despite Mason's good performance as an elderly man and competent performances from the British cast.
Overly Civilized
dougdoepke18 July 2009
I never thought I'd be saying it after all the stupid blood fests I've sat through in theatres, hoping for a good occult film. But this movie could have used some of that red stuff, both literally and figuratively. In sum, the movie's an over-civilized treatment of a subject that thrives on atmosphere and chills. Too bad, there's neither in this slow-moving, scattered exercise that appears more concerned with James Mason's reactions than the haunting itself. Ordinarily a fine understated actor, his unrelenting bluster here tends to overshadow the weakly worked-out plot. I kept wishing that Val Lewton & RKO had gotten hold of the material first (I Walked with a Zombie, The Seventh Victim, et al). That crew knew how to haunt the imagination with implied images of horror, the essence of a good ghost story. But an effect of that sort requires both the ingredients of atmosphere and suspense, so crucially absent here. There is one scene however that grabbed me. Mrs. Smedhurst and companion Annette are sitting by the piano following an apparent visitation. Suddenly, the-matter-of-fact older lady stares past the camera, into space, as though hypnotized by something beyond her reference and ours. It's a subtly chilling moment. Too bad, the remainder of the tale fails to follow up.
It is unhealthy to take seriously what is morbid superstition.
hitchcockthelegend10 October 2013
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
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
Subtle ghost story
jadedalex24 April 2014
Warning: Spoilers
Most people will find this old English film too talky to even bother with, but I found this a wonderfully subtle little ghost story. This is all done of course without computer graphics and awesome special effects. I don't think there is one special effect used in the entire film, all movings of the 'ghost' merely suggested by camera work.
So this movie will be found quite dull by today's jaded standards.
Margaret Lockwood is quite lovely in this feature, although to my mind, she was never more delectable than as the character she played in Hitchcock's 'The Lady Vanishes'.
James Mason, a young man at the time, plays an elderly retired businessman. Barbara Mullen is a standout as his psychic wife.
The biggest kick for me was the appearance of Ernest 'Dr. Pratorius' Thesiger as the mysterious Dr. Marsham. It is quite fitting, considering his history in the horror genre, that Thesiger was brought on to play the doctor.
Subtlety has no place in the minds of today's moviegoers, so this movie will continue to be ignored. The story itself reminded me of one of the better episodes of 'One Step Beyond'.
Most movies today would treat this material as 'horror' and would probably result in yet another over-the-top gore feature. But there is no blood; this is a subtle ghost story, and an imagination is required to enjoy this piece.
So this movie will be found quite dull by today's jaded standards.
Margaret Lockwood is quite lovely in this feature, although to my mind, she was never more delectable than as the character she played in Hitchcock's 'The Lady Vanishes'.
James Mason, a young man at the time, plays an elderly retired businessman. Barbara Mullen is a standout as his psychic wife.
The biggest kick for me was the appearance of Ernest 'Dr. Pratorius' Thesiger as the mysterious Dr. Marsham. It is quite fitting, considering his history in the horror genre, that Thesiger was brought on to play the doctor.
Subtlety has no place in the minds of today's moviegoers, so this movie will continue to be ignored. The story itself reminded me of one of the better episodes of 'One Step Beyond'.
Most movies today would treat this material as 'horror' and would probably result in yet another over-the-top gore feature. But there is no blood; this is a subtle ghost story, and an imagination is required to enjoy this piece.
Rather delightful spooky going ons
Stevieboy66614 May 2018
Set in 1900, after being on the market for 40 years, a mature couple buy a large house but when a young lady joins them as a companion she becomes possessed by the ghost of a tragic former occupant.
This is not a horror film as such, rather a drama wit some supernatural element. Some wonderful flowing camera work and great acting (I think that James Mason is one of the best actors to come out of the UK). There's a delightful scene where Dennis Price is taking Margaret Lockwood for a spin in his new automobile, which can reach a dizzy 8mph!
A delightful film, perhaps just a tad slow though.
Call Dr. Kavorkian.
rmax3048233 October 2014
Warning: Spoilers
Other comments have mentioned that this story of ghosts, possession and romance is slow. And it does have its longueurs. I don't know how much time is spent on establishing the fact that Lockwood, who is like a daughter to the elderly couple, Mason and Mullen, is possessed by the spirit of an invalid who died in the house forty years ago. It's wasted time. The film seems slow not because it's intrinsically dull but because it's too long. It might have made a perfect episode of "The Alfred Hitchcock Hour." James Mason is at his best being suave or moody. Here, he's crippled by an abundance of old-age make up and an attempt at some kind of exotic English dialect. He's a well-off, no-nonsense retired businessman who unwittingly buys a haunted house, and he harumphs around denying that anything strange is going on, even when something strange is going on. His more sensitive wife realizes something is up, but not until the end does Mason come around, and even then he opts for straightforward first-order change.
As the possessed chief factotum, Margaret Lockwood is okay but looks a bit older and, more important, stronger than she did in "The Lady Vanishes." She's supposed to be wasting away, calling out for "Doctor Marsham", the doc who could have saved the life of the now-departed invalid. The problem is that Marsham moved away years ago and no one has any idea where he is, or if he's still alive. Her fiancé, the young and handsome doctor, Dennis Price, doesn't believe in ghosts and can do nothing to help her.
At the end, the spectral Dr. Marsham shows up and gets the job done, but he's always in shadow and photographed from behind, so it's difficult to tell that he's the celebrated character actor, Ernest Thesinger, the mad scientist who had a penchant for shrinking kings and queens in "The Bride of Frankenstein." The tale takes place around the turn of the century, during the Boer War, and it's interesting to observe the details of a proper middle-class English country life -- the exchange of visiting cards, the lawn parties at which everyone is dressed up as if it were Easter Sunday. The cups of tea. The little glass of port after dinner.
On the whole, if you liked, say, "The Uninvited" or the sentimental but amusing "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir," you'll probably enjoy this.
As the possessed chief factotum, Margaret Lockwood is okay but looks a bit older and, more important, stronger than she did in "The Lady Vanishes." She's supposed to be wasting away, calling out for "Doctor Marsham", the doc who could have saved the life of the now-departed invalid. The problem is that Marsham moved away years ago and no one has any idea where he is, or if he's still alive. Her fiancé, the young and handsome doctor, Dennis Price, doesn't believe in ghosts and can do nothing to help her.
At the end, the spectral Dr. Marsham shows up and gets the job done, but he's always in shadow and photographed from behind, so it's difficult to tell that he's the celebrated character actor, Ernest Thesinger, the mad scientist who had a penchant for shrinking kings and queens in "The Bride of Frankenstein." The tale takes place around the turn of the century, during the Boer War, and it's interesting to observe the details of a proper middle-class English country life -- the exchange of visiting cards, the lawn parties at which everyone is dressed up as if it were Easter Sunday. The cups of tea. The little glass of port after dinner.
On the whole, if you liked, say, "The Uninvited" or the sentimental but amusing "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir," you'll probably enjoy this.
A PLACE OF ONE'S OWN (Bernard Knowles, 1945) ***1/2
Bunuel197623 January 2010
I had always been interested in watching this well-regarded British ghost story – but was still pretty much blown away by it, being generally deemed too low-key for complete success. The film (the U.K. equivalent to THE UNINVITED [1944]) is notable for James Mason's playing of a character role much older than his 36 years; he's fine as always, but is matched by Barbara Mullen as his wife – and the whole proves a nice showcase, too, for the young Dennis Price as a doctor. The latter falls for and eventually treats Margaret Lockwood, Mullen's ingénue companion – who, on the old couple's inexpensive acquisition of a fashionable but notorious country-house, becomes possessed by the spirit of the latest female occupant (she had been ill-treated by both masters and servants and would die separated from her lover, another medic). Directed by a former cinematographer (his debut and unquestionably best effort), the period atmosphere is exceedingly well deployed throughout – thanks to Stephen Dade's probing camera-work and the elegant production design, particularly the mansion's interior. There are few genuine scares, yet the film generates some definite frissons along the way: Lockwood, a mediocre pianist at best, suddenly playing a piece faultlessly in front of guests; the girl's spontaneous quotation from a poem she readily admits to being unfamiliar with; and, especially, her close encounter with an unseen entity (woken up by the piano mysteriously playing at night, we hear its lid being violently shut when she enters the room, followed by the camera's swift panning – suggesting something had gone past her – and then hushed voices plotting murder in the hallway). Also worth mentioning in this regard, however, are the enigmatic 'orders' given to the old couple as well as the gardener (a surprising straight turn from comedian Will Hay's frequent sparring partner Moore Marriott) respectively requesting a certain doctor's presence and the unearthing of a locket (subsequently cleaned just as inexplicably). Eventually, the former lovers do get together one more time – the girl obviously in Lockwood's form and the medic now reduced to an old man (played by none other than Ernest Thesiger, whose entrance here towards the end of the film is almost as impressive as the one in BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN [1935]) – but, tellingly, the camera cuts away at this precise moment, as if we what they had to say was meant for their ears only!; following this, there is a twist involving Thesiger's character – which I actually predicted, but it certainly adds to the poignancy of the reunion. All in all, a little gem of a film displaying plenty of brooding style but also surprising warmth (not a feeling one usually associates with ghost stories).
Haunted by ghosts
trimmerb123419 December 2016
...of countless earlier similar stories.
This unfortunately is just one of many failings which caused a production with a quality cast to fail to impress indeed struggle to hold the viewers attention. As others have already commented, why have a 36 year old James Mason married to a 31 year old Barbara Mullen play throughout an elderly couple more than twice their age? The extremely distinguished Mason comes across as Am-Dram-ham old man. The tone is uncertain - the concluding sudden jollity seems out place. Despite its theme it entirely lacks thrills and chills. Famous character-actors Moore Marriott (usually a querulous toothless side-kick) and Ernest Thesinger, spectacularly slightly other-worldly (his forte), under-exploited by the director who brings wholly unintended dispirited lifelessness to what should have been a lively story about ghosts. The studio lighting was reminiscent of made for TV US comedies of the '50's and '60s - the entire set, cast and walls, flooded with an even light, the same regardless if night or day. The paint on a closing door even briefly reflects the light from a large (2Kw?) studio lamp at about shoulder height.
Throughout it was if some kind of subtle ghostly malaise had affected the entire production or at least its director.
This unfortunately is just one of many failings which caused a production with a quality cast to fail to impress indeed struggle to hold the viewers attention. As others have already commented, why have a 36 year old James Mason married to a 31 year old Barbara Mullen play throughout an elderly couple more than twice their age? The extremely distinguished Mason comes across as Am-Dram-ham old man. The tone is uncertain - the concluding sudden jollity seems out place. Despite its theme it entirely lacks thrills and chills. Famous character-actors Moore Marriott (usually a querulous toothless side-kick) and Ernest Thesinger, spectacularly slightly other-worldly (his forte), under-exploited by the director who brings wholly unintended dispirited lifelessness to what should have been a lively story about ghosts. The studio lighting was reminiscent of made for TV US comedies of the '50's and '60s - the entire set, cast and walls, flooded with an even light, the same regardless if night or day. The paint on a closing door even briefly reflects the light from a large (2Kw?) studio lamp at about shoulder height.
Throughout it was if some kind of subtle ghostly malaise had affected the entire production or at least its director.
It's time to put this particular ghost story out to celluloid pasture...
moonspinner555 July 2009
Retired British couple in 1900 Newborough purchase a large estate at a low price and hire a live-in lady companion, who quickly comes under the influence of the previous resident: a young girl who some say was murdered. Osbert Sitwell's book turned into a stuffy costume drama with divergent accents. In 1945, many professional critics found themselves enraptured with the picture, but time has not been kind to it. Other, later films mining this territory have improved upon the ghostly basics. James Mason, too young for his role and heavily made-up, keeps shouting as if everyone else had gone deaf, while the supporting players are equally colorless. *1/2 from ****
A Delightful Ghost Story
Rainey-Dawn16 May 2016
Although the house is haunted and the young girl is possessed you will not find this film horror nor is it a comedy-horror - this film is a drama, mystery and a thriller - and quite a good one too.
This is not your modern day possession/haunted house film - if you want that then look elsewhere - you won't see pea soup flying and heads spinning. This one is a love story of sorts (and not like "Ghost" with Patrick Swayze). This is a very tastefully made film and quite different than most ghost stories I've ever seen.
I really enjoyed this one for it's great atmosphere - haunting a times. The cast is good too. I personally did not have a problem with the cinematography nor the directing (I read where James Mason was displeased with the end results of this film although he wanted to do this film).
8/10
This is not your modern day possession/haunted house film - if you want that then look elsewhere - you won't see pea soup flying and heads spinning. This one is a love story of sorts (and not like "Ghost" with Patrick Swayze). This is a very tastefully made film and quite different than most ghost stories I've ever seen.
I really enjoyed this one for it's great atmosphere - haunting a times. The cast is good too. I personally did not have a problem with the cinematography nor the directing (I read where James Mason was displeased with the end results of this film although he wanted to do this film).
8/10
This Must Be The Place
writers_reign30 April 2017
Warning: Spoilers
Not that it matters now or, for that matter, that anyone involved is still around to furnish an answer of sorts, but, having seen this recently on the fairly good Talking Pictures channel I wondered why anyone, in the last year of the war, would elect to make a ghost story- lite and/or would prevail upon James Mason to play a man twice his age or indeed why he would consent to do so - other, of course, than to show he could - and just what audience it was targeting. Gainsborough is a well remembered production company to those of a certain age and most of the credits here, both behind and in front of camera are up to snuff but still the question persists: Why?
Genteel haunted house picture
Leofwine_draca2 May 2017
Warning: Spoilers
A PLACE OF ONE'S OWN is a genteel haunted house picture about a middle-aged couple moving into a rambling old house that's unbeknownst to them haunted by the restless spirit of a young girl. There's little more plot to it than that, but the aim of the director isn't to terrify the viewer but rather to evoke a certain mood of nostalgia, of longing, of ambiguity and mystery. To that end he succeeds in his job, although the resulting film has dated somewhat in the intervening years. It's chiefly of interest for seeing a number of famous faces of the era, including Margaret Lockwood and Dennis Price, although the real treat is James Mason's turn as an elderly Yorkshire gentleman; not always convincing, but certainly amusing.
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