Treasure Hunt (1952 film)
Treasure Hunt is a 1952 British comedy film directed by John Paddy Carstairs and starring Martita Hunt, Jimmy Edwards, Naunton Wayne and Athene Seyler.[1]
| Treasure Hunt | |
|---|---|
.jpg.webp) Original trade ad | |
| Directed by | John Paddy Carstairs |
| Produced by | Anatole de Grunwald |
| Written by | Rita Davison Anatole de Grunwald |
| Based on | the play Treasure Hunt by M.J. Farrell & John Perry |
| Starring | Jimmy Edwards Martita Hunt Naunton Wayne Athene Seyler |
| Music by | Mischa Spoliansky |
| Cinematography | C.M. Pennington-Richards |
| Edited by | Ralph Kemplen |
Production company | De Grunwald Productions (for) Romulus Films |
| Distributed by | Independent Film Distributors (UK) |
Release date |
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Running time | 79 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
Plot
On his death, the eccentric family of rakish Sir Roderick Lyall (Jimmy Edwards) gathers at his ancestral Irish mansion, Ballyroden Hall, for the reading of the will. Everyone is shocked to hear that, once debts are paid, the only asset remaining will be the mansion. The family doctor, Mr. Walsh (Miles Malleson), suggests the mansion be turned into a guest house to bring in funds. Half the family supports the idea, but Uncle Hercules (Jimmy Edwards) and Consuelo (Athene Seyler) endeavour to sabotage the scheme. All the while, Aunt Anna Rose (Martita Hunt) insists she has mislaid a fortune in jewels – but her story is doubted due to her eccentric personality. When the first paying guests, Eustace Mills (Naunton Wayne), Mrs. Cleghorn-Thomas (June Clyde) and daughter Yvonne (Mara Lane), arrive for their holiday, expecting peace and quiet, they find themselves caught up in a series of farcical situations caused by their hosts.
Cast
- Martita Hunt – Aunt Anna Rose
- Jimmy Edwards – Hercules Ryall / Sir Roderick Ryall
- Naunton Wayne – Eustace Mills
- Athene Seyler – Consuelo Howard
- June Clyde – Mrs. Cleghorn-Thomas
- Miles Malleson – Mr Walsh
- Susan Stephen – Mary O'Leary
- Brian Worth – Philip
- Mara Lane – Yvonne
- Maire O'Neill – Brigid
- Toke Townley – William Burke
- Bee Duffell – Mrs. Guidera
- Joseph Tomelty – Poacher
- John McDarby – Taxi Driver
- Tony Quinn – Dan Brady
- Wilfred Caithness – Doctor
- Hamlyn Benson – Butler
- Irene Handl – Nanny
- Shelagh Carty – 2nd Nanny
- Kendrick Owen – Stable Boy
- Marguerite Brennan – Pert Little Maid
- Diana Campbell – 2nd Maid
- John Kelly – Bookmaker
- Kenneth Kove – Clergyman
- Patrick O'Connor – Telegraph Boy
- James Page – Racing Enthusiast
- Roger Maxwell – Military-Looking Man
- Nella Occleppo – Schoolgirl
- Michael Ripper – Removal Man
- Fred Johnson – 2nd Removal Man
- Alfie Bass – Tipster
Critical reception
TV Guide called it "A tedious comedy";[2] Britmovie called it a "Minor farce";[3] while Sky Movies wrote, "Producer Anatole de Grunwald adapted the stage play by M J Farrell and John Perry in an enjoyably straightforward way. Director John Paddy Cartairs handles the film with appropriate vitality, making the most of the basically conventional stage Irish characters. Martita Hunt and Athene Seyler stand out in a large cast, among whom are such familiar faces as Miles Malleson, Alfie Bass and Hammer Films regular Michael Ripper."[4]