{"id":1136,"date":"2006-05-23T18:17:31","date_gmt":"2006-05-24T01:17:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=1136"},"modified":"2022-09-05T16:44:02","modified_gmt":"2022-09-05T23:44:02","slug":"blithe-spirit-1945","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=1136","title":{"rendered":"Blithe Spirit (1945)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>&#8220;What, no ectoplasm?&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/Blithe-Spirit-Poster.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/Blithe-Spirit-Poster-223x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"223\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-28992\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/Blithe-Spirit-Poster-223x300.jpg 223w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/Blithe-Spirit-Poster-95x128.jpg 95w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/Blithe-Spirit-Poster.jpg 580w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 223px) 100vw, 223px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Synopsis:<\/strong><br \/>\nAn eccentric medium (Margaret Rutherford) conjures up the ghost of author Rex Harrison&#8217;s deceased wife (Kay Hammond), much to the consternation of his new wife (Constance Cummings).  <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><strong>Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Comedy<\/li>\n<li>David Lean Films<\/li>\n<li>Ghosts<\/li>\n<li>Love Triangle<\/li>\n<li>Margaret Rutherford Films<\/li>\n<li>Marital Problems<\/li>\n<li>Noel Coward Films<\/li>\n<li>Play Adaptations<\/li>\n<li>Rex Harrison Films<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Response to Peary&#8217;s Review:<\/strong><br \/>\nDavid Lean&#8217;s adaptation of Noel Coward&#8217;s popular play is a uniquely comic look at life-after-death, one which makes good use of marital insecurities. Never before has a deceased wife caused so much trouble for the woman who has replaced her!  <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/Blithe-Spirit-Ghost-1.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/Blithe-Spirit-Ghost-1-1024x752.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"470\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-62401\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/Blithe-Spirit-Ghost-1-1024x752.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/Blithe-Spirit-Ghost-1-300x220.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/Blithe-Spirit-Ghost-1-128x94.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/Blithe-Spirit-Ghost-1-768x564.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/Blithe-Spirit-Ghost-1-368x270.png 368w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/Blithe-Spirit-Ghost-1.png 1421w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>As Peary notes, Harrison&#8217;s ego is inevitably stroked when he realizes he has two women fighting over him; despite his henpecked consternation, there&#8217;s a part of him that&#8217;s downright tickled. However, the highlight of the film is undoubtedly Margaret Rutherford as the sincere but trouble-making medium, Madame Arcati: from the moment she appears onscreen, riding her bicycle down the street with a satisfied grin on her face:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/Blithe-Spirit-Rutherford.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/Blithe-Spirit-Rutherford-1024x733.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"458\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-62398\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/Blithe-Spirit-Rutherford-1024x733.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/Blithe-Spirit-Rutherford-300x215.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/Blithe-Spirit-Rutherford-128x92.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/Blithe-Spirit-Rutherford-768x550.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/Blithe-Spirit-Rutherford-377x270.png 377w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/Blithe-Spirit-Rutherford.png 1423w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&#8230; she is enchanting, giving a strong and memorable character performance. Watch for the plot twists &#8212; things suddenly take an interesting turn &#8212; and then another. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Redeeming Qualities and Moments:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Margaret Rutherford&#8217;s outstanding performance as the irrepressible Madame Arcati<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/Blithe-Spirit-Rutherford3.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/Blithe-Spirit-Rutherford3-1024x752.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"470\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-62399\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/Blithe-Spirit-Rutherford3-1024x752.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/Blithe-Spirit-Rutherford3-300x220.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/Blithe-Spirit-Rutherford3-128x94.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/Blithe-Spirit-Rutherford3-768x564.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/Blithe-Spirit-Rutherford3-368x270.png 368w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/Blithe-Spirit-Rutherford3.png 1409w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Jacqueline Clarke as Edith, the bewildered maid who plays an unexpectedly important role in affairs<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/Blithe-Spirit-Clark.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/Blithe-Spirit-Clark-1024x756.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"473\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-62402\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/Blithe-Spirit-Clark-1024x756.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/Blithe-Spirit-Clark-300x222.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/Blithe-Spirit-Clark-128x95.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/Blithe-Spirit-Clark-768x567.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/Blithe-Spirit-Clark-366x270.png 366w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/Blithe-Spirit-Clark.png 1415w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>The unusual but effective ghost makeup<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/Blithe-Spirit-Ghost2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/Blithe-Spirit-Ghost2-1024x758.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"474\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-62403\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/Blithe-Spirit-Ghost2-1024x758.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/Blithe-Spirit-Ghost2-300x222.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/Blithe-Spirit-Ghost2-128x95.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/Blithe-Spirit-Ghost2-768x569.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/Blithe-Spirit-Ghost2-365x270.png 365w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/Blithe-Spirit-Ghost2.png 1419w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Atmospheric cinematography<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/Blithe-Spirit-Cinematography.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/Blithe-Spirit-Cinematography-1024x745.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"466\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-62400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/Blithe-Spirit-Cinematography-1024x745.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/Blithe-Spirit-Cinematography-300x218.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/Blithe-Spirit-Cinematography-128x93.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/Blithe-Spirit-Cinematography-768x559.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/Blithe-Spirit-Cinematography-371x270.png 371w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/Blithe-Spirit-Cinematography.png 1419w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Must See? <\/strong><br \/>\nYes, simply for Rutherford&#8217;s performance.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Categories<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Noteworthy Performance(s)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Links:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/imdb.com\/title\/tt0038363\/\">IMDb entry<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/1945\/10\/04\/archives\/the-screen-ectoplasmic-highjinks-of-noel-coward-tale-blithe-spirit.html\">NY Times Original Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.lightviews.com\/blithespirit.htm\">LightViews Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.moriareviews.com\/fantasy\/blithe-spirit-1945.htm\">Moria Review<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;What, no ectoplasm?&#8221; Synopsis: An eccentric medium (Margaret Rutherford) conjures up the ghost of author Rex Harrison&#8217;s deceased wife (Kay Hammond), much to the consternation of his new wife (Constance Cummings). Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors: Comedy David Lean Films Ghosts Love Triangle Margaret Rutherford Films Marital Problems Noel Coward Films Play Adaptations Rex Harrison Films Response to Peary&#8217;s Review: David Lean&#8217;s adaptation of Noel Coward&#8217;s popular play is a uniquely comic look at life-after-death, one which makes good use&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"><a class=\"btn btn-default\" href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=1136\"> Read More<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">  Read More<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1136","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-responses-to-peary"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1136","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1136"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1136\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":86875,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1136\/revisions\/86875"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1136"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1136"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1136"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}