Blithe Spirit
Date: 1945
Director: David Lean
Production Company: Two Cities Films
Stars: Rex Harrison, Constance Cummings, Margaret Rutherford, Kay Hammond, Hugh Wakefield, Joyce Carey, Jacqueline Clarke.
Location(s): Buckinghamshire
Region(s): South East A-D
Storyline:
Adapted from a play by Noel Coward, Charles and his second wife Constance, are haunted by the ghost of his first wife, Elvira, following an evening séance. Having made the contact with the ghost Medium Madame Arcati tries to help things out by reversing the spell. Interesting change in social habits. Rex Harrison, at lunch, in his upper middle class family; they always dressed for dinner; has a large, screw-top, bottle of beer on the table, something that now would be uncommon. He, Rex, upon the death of his wife sports two black armbands, generally one, or more likely a diamond, or lozenge shaped patch was worn on the left arm, but two I’ve never seen.
Additional Information:
Greg says: “Possibly the setting of this film is Goldenhurst Farm in Kent, TN25 7BY, because it was the home of Noel Coward.
Noel Coward: A Biography By Philip Hoare, Page 354: “Clearly the setting is Goldenhurst, or its symbolic equivalent; a signpost announces ‘Ashford 8 miles’, and the telephone has an Ashford number.”
However, I don’t think it was filmed in Kent, because… according to IMDb it was filmed in Denham, Buckinghamshire: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0038363/locations.
Confirmed that it was filmed in Denham by the sale particulars (June 2019) of Denham Mount, Blacksmiths Lane, Denham, Middx: “The Veranda where part of the 1945 film, Blithe Spirit was made provides spectacular views over the gardens and grounds to the lake beyond.” Brought to our attention by Rachel Heathfield.
Prompted by Rachel’s identification the film has been “re-visited” with additional screen captures and revised captions uploaded by Richard Lovejoy.
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Can you help:
If you have any information regarding this production, the locations or, even better, some comparison shots please contact us. Images submitted must be in Landscape orientation, as would be seen on the cinema screen, not Portrait.
We are aware that there are films on the site that were added when the criteria for the inclusion of locations was very different from today and, as a result, there may be scenes missing from some productions. Please do not forward additional screen captures to us but bring the detail to our attention, for we do, and are, 're-addressing' these older entries as time allows.
- Capture 1
- 'Now' required
The scene is set, the home of Charles (Rex Harrison) and Ruth (Constance Cummings) Condomine where the séance is to take place. Identified as Denham Mount, Blacksmiths Lane, Denham, Buckinghamshire. by Rachel Heathfield.
- Capture 2
- 20 Feb 2016
Madame Arcati (Margaret Rutherford), a local mystic, speeds her way to the evening event. Identified by Peter Adams as The Green, Wooburn Green, Buckinghamshire.
The Google Image with its elevated position, posted in 1/15, for once, was superior but here's an original now. SJ
- Capture 3
- 20 Feb 2016
She gives a cheery smile to those watching her pass by. Still The Green in Wooburn Green. as identified by Peter.
Matching roofs. SJ
- Capture 4
- 20 Feb 2016
Peter advises that a few frames later can be seen two petrol pumps. These stood outside Smith's the ironmongers and until around the early '80s a fire engine parked at the rear and a bell by the shop door to alert that there was a fire.
Now looking east on the north side of The Green to the B4440 down which we saw "The Stud" drive. SJ
- Capture 5
- 20 Feb 2016
Yes, we are still at The Green, Wooburn Green and now Peter tells us that a few hundred yards on was Wooburn Green station that appears in "The Square Peg".
Continuing the pan. SJ
- Capture 6
- 20 Feb 2016
On her way she is overtaken by Dr. George Bradman (Hugh Wakefield) and his wife Violet Bradman (Joyce Carey) who have also been invited to the Condomine’s. Peter provides the location as Windsor Hill, running south-east from Wooburn Green, Buckinghamshire. His father spoke to Margaret Rutherford on the day of filming.
Google Earth now replaced by SJ
- Capture 7
- 'Now' required
After an eventful evening when the spirit of Charles’ first wife, Elvira (Kay Hammond) manifests, breakfast is taken on the terrace. Denham Mount, Blacksmiths Lane in Denham.
- Capture 8
- 24 Sep 2019
Such is the disruption caused by Elvira’s presence that Ruth heads off to visit Madame Arcati to see if she can reverse the spell. Greg as well as Ady of BritMovie Forum say this is Cheapside Lane, Denham.
Replacing Greg's Google image, Antony Blair's view shows that the house has been substantially remodeled.
- Capture 9
- 24 Sep 2019
She approaches the front door of "Fairway".
An extension to the right side of property is apparent in Antony's comparison.
- Capture 10
- 'Now' required
Meanwhile Charles and Elvira are returning from Folkestone where Elvira wanted to see an old friend staying at “The Grand”.
- Capture 11
- 24 Sep 2019
Nearing home they arrive at a traffic patrolled junction. Located by Cooper S on BritMovie Forum as where the A4007 Slough Road crosses Bangors Road west of Uxbridge. The public house is still there and is currently called 'The Black Horse'.
The same junction captured by Antony Blair.
- Capture 12
- 24 Sep 2019
They go off along Bangors Road South with Elvira driving . . . . as you can see!
Bangors Road South in Iver as it looks now, by Antony.
- Capture 13
- 24 Sep 2019
On their journey home they pass Madame Arcati’s house to see Ruth leaving having learned that there is no apparent way of undoing the spell. The property before Madame Arcati's home "Fairway", has been redeveloped into a row of bungalows.
Antony Blair provides this view showing the changes.
- Capture 14
- 24 Sep 2019
Following the accidental death of Ruth as a result of Elvira tampering with the car the wives conspire to have Charles join them in the spirit world . . . . Windsor Hill, running south-east from Wooburn Green in Buckinghamshire.
Antony looks uphill from the bridge.
- Capture 15
- 24 Sep 2019
. . . . just as he was enjoying his “freedom”, he is soon to be sitting between them. Supposedly Windsor Hill, running south-east from Wooburn Green, but the volume of water and background raises doubts.
Going with continuity, Antony Blair took this shot of the section of bridge that they should be sitting on.