1952 British film by John Paddy Carstairs
Treasure Hunt is a 1952 British comedy film directed by John Paddy Carstairs and starring Martita Hunt, Jimmy Edwards, Naunton Wayne and Athene Seyler.[1] It is based on the 1949 play Treasure Hunt by Molly Keane (writing as M.J. Farrell) and John Perry.
Plot
On his death, the eccentric family of rakish Sir Roderick Lyall gathers at his ancestral Irish mansion, Ballyroden Hall, for the reading of the will. Everyone is shocked to hear that, once debts are paid, the only asset remaining will be the mansion. The family doctor, Mr. Walsh, suggests the mansion be turned into a guest house to bring in funds. Half the family supports the idea, but Uncle Hercules and Consuelo endeavour to sabotage the scheme. All the while, Aunt Anna Rose insists she has mislaid a fortune in jewels – but her story is doubted due to her eccentric personality. When the first paying guests, Eustace Mills, Mrs. Cleghorn-Thomas and daughter Yvonne), arrive for their holiday, expecting peace and quiet, they find themselves caught up in a series of farcical situations caused by their hosts.
Production
The film was shot at Teddington Studios in London, which had been for many years the base of the British subsidiary of Warner Brothers. It was the last film to be shot there, before it was later taken over as a television production facility. The film's sets were designed by the art director John Howell.
Critical reception
The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "This quite engaging and high-spirited comedy is a straightforward stage adaptation – and, as such, has far more movement and vitality than, say, Who Goes There! (1952). The characters are basically conventional stage Irish, but they have charm and humour. Martita Hunt's Anna Rose, indeed, is both a brilliant and touching creation. Athene Seyler is also a delicious Consuelo. The weakest point (apart from Brian Worth and Susan Stephen, who make a pallid but unimportant pair of young lovers) is Jimmy Edwards. In a rather unsatisfactory prologue he overplays badly, and throughout is inclined to force the pace. The photography, and John Howells elegant settings, are distinctly above average. Paddy Carstairs' direction is boisterous if slapdash, and Treasure Hunt as a whole seems a reasonable example of what unpretentious, unadventurous, small budget commercial films in this country ought to be; and so seldom are. It may not (apart from Martita Hunt) suggest a very inspiring average, but it does indicate a decent one."[2]
Britmovie called it a "Minor farce".[3]
Sky Movies wrote, "Producer Anatole de Grunwald adapted the stage play by M J Farrell and John Perry in an enjoyably straightforward way. Director John Paddy Cartairs handles the film with appropriate vitality, making the most of the basically conventional stage Irish characters. Martita Hunt and Athene Seyler stand out in a large cast, among whom are such familiar faces as Miles Malleson, Alfie Bass and Hammer Films regular Michael Ripper."[4]
In British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959 David Quinlan rated the film as "average", writing: "Cast play with spirit but on several different levels: farce varies between flat and fizzy"[5]
Leslie Halliwell said: "Theatrical comedy with some charm and humour, but very much a photographed play."[6]
The Radio Times Guide to Films gave the film 3/5 stars, writing: "Artist/novelist/screenwriter John Paddy Carstairs adapts MJ Farrell and John Perry's hit stage play, managing to capture much of the eccentric charm of the piece ... A first class cast is headed by Jimmy Edwards, here turning in another larger than life performance in a dual role."[7]
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