Happy Ever After

Date: 1954
Director: Mario Zampi
Production Company: Mario Zampi Productions

Stars: David Niven, Yvonne De Carlo, Barry Fitzgerald, A.E. Matthews, Noelle Middleton, Robert Urquart, Michael Shepley, Joseph Tomelty, Eddie Byrne, Liam Redmond, Michael Martin Harvey
Location(s): Hertfordshire, Middlesex

Region(s):

Storyline:

After the owner of a hunting estate in Ireland is killed in an accident, his nephew the new squire proves unpopular and the villagers plot to kill him.

Additional Information:

Page compiled by Steve Randall

Also known as ‘Tonight’s the Night’ (US title)

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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.

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The villagers of Rathbarney in Ireland gather at the O’Leary Arms for the local hunt. Looks like a set with a backcloth behind the bridge, included for completeness.

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General O’Leary (A.E. Matthews) makes a splash in the ford as he arrives with his manservant-cum-driver Thady O'Heggarty (Barry Fitzgerald) .

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The hunt sets off across the countryside. Although the action is supposedly set in rural Ireland, the entire film is shot in England.

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The horses and hounds pass a bridge over a lake.

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Attempting to jump a wall on his horse, the General comes a fatal cropper. This stuntman looks a little younger than the 85-year old actor.

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The stables where the General’s beloved horse is being cared for.

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The horse has been bequeathed to Major McGluskey (Michael Shepley). His sister Kathy (Noelle Middleton) arrives to tell him that their sister Serena is coming to town.

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Serena McGluskey (Yvonne de Carlo), beautiful and newly-widowed arrives at the station. This is Braughing station in Hertfordshire which closed in 1964. The station also appears in 'Operation Bullshine’.

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  • 31 Jul 2024

At the station Serena notices Doctor Michael Flynn (Robert Urquhart), an old flame. Braughing Station in Hertfordshire.

Elements of the old station have been preserved in the garden of the current property in Station Road, Braughing. (SR)

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Serena is keen to renew an old friendship. Braughing station goods shed.

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Serena leaves the station. Braughing station was one of the last standing stops along the old Buntingford branch line, opening in 1863, eventually falling to Beeching cuts in 1964.

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Later that day the villagers assemble on the station platform to welcome the heir to the estate. Braughing station's platform and station building still remain as private property, but lovingly cared for.

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Waiting in anticipation are the villagers Healy (Michael Martin Harvey), Dooley (Joseph Tomelty), Regan (Liam Redmond) and O’Connor (Patrick McAlinney). Braughing station.

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Kathy and Serena quarrel over Michael. Braughing station, which, by the way is pronounced "braffing".

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The train arrives. Braughing station.

This view of the preserved station can be seen from the surviving bridge in Station Road, Braughing. (SR)

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Jasper O’Leary (David Niven), a distant relative of the General who has inherited the estate, greets the crowd, hinting that changes were in the air. Braughing station.

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Jasper is driven through the gates of his hall. Brocket Hall, Lemsford in Hertfordshire. These gates are also seen in 'Omen III: The Final Conflict' and 'Licenced to Love and Kill'.

Freshly mown grass here today as the gardener has just passed by. (SR)

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Jasper arrives at the entrance of the hall. Panshanger, Hertford, Hertfordshire, which was demolished shortly after the filming.

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Jasper starts demanding back rents from the villagers.

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After running into the local copper, Jasper rails at him for allowing poaching on his estate.

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Michael drives Serena home after Jasper has made a pass at her and warns her never to see Jasper again. This is Forty Hall, a manor house of the 1620s at Forty Hill in Enfield, Middlesex.

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With Jasper turning out to be a money-grabbing cad, the villagers decide to bump him off, and lay traps for him. In the distance is Panshanger, Hertfordshire, which was demolished in 1954.

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Major McGluskey takes a pot shot at Jasper. Panshanger Park, Hertfordshire.

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Believing he has shot Jasper, McGluskey returns indoors. Forty Hall, Enfield, which is also seen in ‘Pink Floyd: The Final Cut’.

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McGluskey at the rear of the house. Forty Hall, Enfield.

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Michael drives to the McGluskey home. Forty Hall, Enfield is a Grade I Listed Jacobean Manor House set in a 273 acre estate.

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The villagers’ attempt to kill Jasper by placing a bomb in his car backfires. Braughing Station.

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After the villagers succeed in blowing up Jasper’s car he purchases a more suitable model for his lifestyle, an Austin Healey 100.

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On reaching the McGluskey home, Michael cuts in and tells Jasper to scram. Forty Hall in Middlesex.

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Jasper approaches a bridge in his new sports car. Geoff Dodd identifies this as the bridge at Brocket Hall, as seen in 'Night of The Demon', with the lamps having been added for filming. The weir below the bridge features in 'Portrait of Clare' as well as 'Omen III: The Final Conflict'.

No lamps needed on this bright sunny day. (SR)

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  • 31 Jul 2024

The villagers have set up a trip wire to decapitate Jasper. Unfortunately for them it is too high and he sails through. The bridge at Brocket Hall as per the previous capture identified by Geoff. (RL)

The tree on the right is still going strong. The country estate with its two championship golf courses is a private country estate, but a public footpath runs along the south drive and over the bridge. (SR)

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As the villagers’ plots become more hare-brained, Major McGluskey dresses up as the ghost that stalks the hall in an attempt to scare Jasper to death. Highly likely to be a set.

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  • 31 Jul 2024

After Jasper sets fire to the hall, the bridge is seen again as the villagers mount the local fire engine to speed to the scene. But they are heading for the trip wires . . . As capture 30 the bridge at Brocket Hall. (RL)

I was standing atop a grassy knoll, but could have done with a stepladder for this shot. (SR)