Blithe Spirit (1945) | |
| Director(s) | David Lean |
| Producer(s) | |
| Top Genres | Comedy, Drama, Fantasy, Film Adaptation, Romance |
| Top Topics | Based on Play, Ghosts |
Featured Cast:
Blithe Spirit Overview:
Blithe Spirit (1945) was a Fantasy - Comedy Film directed by David Lean .
SYNOPSIS
In Lean's adaptation of Noel Coward's farce, an English mystery novelist invites a medium over for dinner in the hopes of gathering enough material for his latest book, as well as exposing her as a charlatan. As a result he's plagued by the nagging of his deceased first wife who's not too keen on wife number two.
(Source: available at Amazon AMC Classic Movie Companion).
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BlogHub Articles:
No?l Coward on Screen: Blithe Spirit (David Lean, 1945)
By Virginie Pronovost on Jul 26, 2019 From The Wonderful World of CinemaBritish playwriter No?l Coward was considered one of the most prolific figures of the theatre world. Not only did he wrote plays, but also directed, acted (both on stage and in films), composed, and sang. Known for his unique fancy style and his originality, No?l Coward surely became an undeniable B... Read full article
Margaret Rutherford in Blithe Spirit (David Lean, 1945)
By Judy on Jun 28, 2013 From Movie ClassicsMargaret Rutherford on her bike This posting is my contribution to the Funny Lady blogathon being organised by the Movies, Silently blog. Please do visit and read the postings on a host of actresses from different eras. If there’s a film moment that sums up Margaret Rutherford’s screen p... Read full article
Classic Films in Focus: BLITHE SPIRIT (1945)
By Jennifer Garlen on Jan 4, 2013 From Virtual ViragoWhile Noel Coward's 1941 play remains a community theater favorite, the 1945 film adaptation offers viewers a chance to see the story performed by professionals under the direction the brilliant David Lean, best remembered today for his work on such classics as The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957), L... Read full article
Blithe Spirit (1945) (1)
By Kristen on Oct 3, 2012 From Journeys in Classic FilmI misjudged dates when I originally planned my 31 Days of Horror and thus I ended up scheduling I Walked With a Zombie before it airs on TCM so with some?re-configuring?you get Blithe Spirit today, and I Walked With a Zombie tomorrow (sorry about that). Anyway, today’s film is a refreshing rep... Read full article
Blithe Spirit (1945) (2)
By Lindsey on Sep 3, 2012 From The Motion Pictures(Image via fourcolorcomics.com) Charles (Rex Harrison) is an author who is conducting odd research for his next book. In order to get background on psychic mediums, Charles and his second wife Ruth (Constance Cummings) make an appointment for a seance in his home with Madame Arcati (Margaret Rutherf... Read full article
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Quotes from
Madame Arcati: Just knack. Down with your head, up with your heart, and you're over the top like a flash and skimming down the other side like a dragonfly.
Charles Condomine: It's discouraging to think how many people are shocked by honesty and how few by deceit.
Violet Bradman: Can you foretell the future?
Madame Arcati: Certainly not. I disapprove of fortune-tellers most strongly.
Violet Bradman: Oh, really - why?
Madame Arcati: Too much guesswork and fake mixed up with it - even when the gift is genuine - and it only very occasionally is - you can't count on it.
Ruth Condomine: Why not?
Madame Arcati: Time again. Time is the reef upon which all our frail mystic ships are wrecked.
Ruth Condomine: You mean because it has never yet been proved that the past and the present and the future are not one and the same thing?
Madame Arcati: I long ago came to the conclusion that nothing has ever been definitely proved about anything.
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Facts about
Margaret Rutherford and Kay Hammond played Madame Arcati and Elvira, respectively, in the original West End production. Jacqueline Clarke played Edith in the original Broadway production.
David Lean and cinematographer Ronald Neame decided not to use double exposure to create Elvira's ghostly appearances. Instead, Lean created an enormous set that allowed Kay Hammond to move freely in each shot. Hammond wore fluorescent green clothes, makeup, and a wig, with bright red lipstick and fingernail polish. Each time she moved, a special light would be directed on her, allowing her figure to glow even in dimly-lit scenes, and giving her an otherworldly appearance.
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