A Place of One's Own

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.

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

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.

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.

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...