Castle Sinister

Date: 1948
Director: Oscar Burn
Production Company: Unicorn Film Corporation

Stars: Mara Russell-Tavernan
Location(s): Kent

Region(s):

Storyline:

During World War II, a military intelligence officer travels to a remote Scottish castle to investigate a mysterious murder said to have been committed by a masked phantom.

Additional Information:

Page compiled by Phil Wilkinson

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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 story opens with a view of Glenye Castle, overlooking the Moray Firth in the Highlands of Scotland. Kingsgate Castle at Broadstairs in Kent, seen from the doorway of the Captain Digby public house at the junction of Kingsgate Bay Road and Whiteness Road. The footage is reused in 'The Devil's Jest' made six years later.

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After a social call, Major Matthews (Hugh Arnald) says goodnight as he leaves the castle. Kingsgate Castle stands above Kingsgate Bay between Broadstairs and Margate.

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Bridie Anderson walks towards the Major as he walks along the road outside the castle. Kingsgate Castle with the North Sea in the distance.

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As he passes, the Major wishes the the Young Woman "goodnight". In the background stands Kingsgate Castle dating from the 1760s.

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In the distance, the Major notices a cloaked Figure sitting in a ruin on the cliff top and goes to investigate. The ruined tower in the grounds of Kingsgate Castle, Kent.

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Hearing the Major's scream, Miss Anderson turns to see the black cloaked Figure stepping back from the cliff edge. Kingsgate Castle on the cliff above Kingsgate Bay.

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The next morning Michael Glenye (John Gauntley) finds the body of Major Matthews on the shore below Glenye Castle. Presumably, this is the beach below Kingsgate Castle.

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Captain Neale is sent from the War Office to investigate the Major's death where, in the Glenye Arms, his contact Mr. McTavish tells him that castle is supposed to be haunted by a former Lord Glenye's ghost known as 'the Phantom'. The courtyard at Kingsgate Castle which became a hotel in the 1920s.

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McTavish continues to explain that one day during the long summer of 1939 the recently widowed Lady Gabrielle (Mara Russell-Tavernan), Marchioness of Glenye, was taking tea on the castle terrace with Jean Hamilton (Patricia St. John), daughter of the Minister, and Michael when her son Nigel Glenye arrived unexpectedly. The terrace at Kingsgate Castle.

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More of the story unfolds as McTavish tells of the day that, whilst on leave from the Army, Nigel went out riding. The entrance to Kingsgate Castle on Joss Gap Road, Broadstairs.

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After seeing Mr. Nigel's horse running wild, a Crofter brings the injured Nigel back to the castle, with help from a Villager, where Jean helps to nurse him back to health.

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Lady Glenye looks down from the castle battlements. The battlements and turret overlooking the courtyard at Kingsgate Castle.

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Following the discovery of Captain Fairfax's body in the woods, Constable McWerter (Humphrey Stamford) cycles towards the castle from where he flees after seeing the Phantom.

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Maggie (Maureen O'Moor), the housekeeper, pleads with Lorna (Myra Celian) to stay when she decides to leave her position as cook after being frightened by the Phantom. The entrance to Kingsgate Castle in Kent.

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One night whilst attending to the Daimler, the Chauffeur is attacked by the Phantom who then returns to the house where he ties up Maggie.

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After the mystery of the Phantom is unravelled and the cloaked Figure is shot, Michael Glenye walks over to the dying body of . . . .