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RETURN TO GLENNASCAUL
An interesting obscurity from 1951, of note primarily because of an extended appearance by Orson Welles, who also narrates the film. This 23-minute short is no masterpiece, but it’s worth viewing for Welles fans (which I most certainly am) and those looking for solid, old-fashioned ghost story thrills.
The Package
Orson Welles appeared in RETURN TO GLENNASCAUL during a break on his
production of OTHELLO (which, incidentally, was completed in 1952) as a favor to
the film’s writer/director Hilton Edwards. MPI’s video release titles it ORSON
WELLES’ GHOST STORY—and features an introduction by filmmaker Peter Bogdonovich
detailing the film’s history—but Welles only appears in RTG’s beginning and end
segments, where he plays himself and makes some in-jokes (after the protagonist
complains of problems with his car’s distributor, Welles answers that he’s had
troubles with his distributors, too). Welles also provides some
superfluous narration that directly recalls the radio broadcasts that kicked off
his career: he introduces himself as “Your obedient servant,” a stock phrase
from Welles’ radio days.
The Story
Orson Welles, exiting the Dublin set of OTHELLO, encounters Sean Merriman,
a young man whose car has broken down. Welles agrees to drive him home, and
Merriman feels compelled to relate a ghostly incident from his past.
According to Merriman, he was driving along the same road one night when he
encountered two mysterious hooded ladies. He drove them to Glennascaul (meaning
“Glenn of the Shadows”), their stately mansion, where they all-but dragged him
inside. The interior of the mansion was every bit as opulent as the outside,
complete with a number of priceless objects d’art. It did, however, also
possess an eerie, almost unearthly atmosphere, and Merriman found himself
creeped out; he left hastily, but turned back, realizing he’d forgotten his
cigarette case.
Upon returning to Glennascaul he discovers an ancient,
deserted mansion. Even creepier, his subsequent inquiries reveal that the women
Merriman encountered have been dead for years. The next day Merriman returns to
Glennascaul once again, finding his own footprints in the dust of the
long-abandoned environ...
The Direction
RETURN TO GLENNASCAUL’S story may be a bit thin, but writer/director Hilton
Edwards conjures up an extremely vivid atmosphere with his expert use of light
and shadow and, most effective of all, a haunting solo harp score reminiscent of
the famous zither music from THE THIRD MAN. The Dublin locations are also
strikingly utilized (the film isn’t subtitled A STORY THAT IS TOLD IN DUBLIN for
nothing).
Far less enchanting are Edwards’ lame attempts at humor, in particular
Welles’ industry in-jokes (incomprehensible to all but the most ardent film
buffs) and a dumb last-minute encounter with a couple old ladies. It’s moments
like those that keep this film from achieving its full potential; it’s an
interesting, oft-effective trifle, certainly, but a classic it definitely
ain’t.
Vital Statistics
RETURN TO GLENNASCAUL: A STORY THAT IS TOLD IN
DUBLIN (a.k.a. ORSON WELLES’ GHOST STORY)
Dublin Gate Theatre
Director: Hilton Edwards
Producers: Hilton Edwards, Michael MacLiammoir
Screenplay: Hilton Edwards
Cinematography: George Fleischmann
Editor: Joseph Sterling
Cast: Orson Welles, Michael Laurence, Shelah Richards, Helena Hughes, John
Dunne, Isobel Couser, Ann Clery