Castle in the Air

I just watched "Castle in the Air" on a DVD I bought from EBay. This 1952 B/W comedy is funny and a delight to watch.

The Earl of Locharne (David Tomlinson) presides over a dilapidated castle and is on the brink of bankruptcy. His loyal castle manager, Boss Trent (Helen Cherry) oversees the staff and helps The Earl fight off the creditors who appear at the castle gates. They give tours and rent out rooms to try to keep their heads above water. Miss Nicholson (the great Margaret Rutherford) is one of the boarders who is determined to prove that The Earl is the rightful king of Scotland. There's also a female ghost looming around the castle that appears every now and then.

Disaster looms when governemtn coal board member Mr. Phillips (Brian Oulton) wants to take over the castle as a hostel for coal miners and pay only a pittance for it. But, then a distant relative from Denver, Colorado, Mrs Dunne (Barbara Kelly) arrives. She is wealthy and is interested in buying the castle. Mrs Dunne also seems to be attracted to The Earl, something that's noticed by Boss.

It's quite funny and the movie works because the actors all make the viewers care about their characters. The audience sticks around to find out what will finally happen to the castle. And, who will the Earl end up with: Mrs. Dunne or Boss?

Watch Castle in the Air (1952) if you ever get the chance. It is a delightful little comedy.