The Enchanted Cottage (1945) still enchants

[Phillyrich]

I recently watched "The Enchanted Cottage" (1945) on a decent but alas unrestored Warner Archives transfer. I wonder if the original RKO master even survives?

I remember not thinking much of TEC when I first saw the film as a young man (where's the action?) Well, so much for callow youth. This time around (30 years later) I found it truly enchanting, very intense, and an almost overwhelming experience. Cinematographer Ted Tetzlaff does miracles. Robert Young and Dorothy McGuire are admirably restrained when they could have chewed scenery and ruined the mystical mood.

Maltin (and most reviewers) give it about three stars, and its true that the film's roots as a 1922 play sometimes make it static and the secondary characters cliches, but I think the film's message of seeing beyond superficial appearances into deeper meanings is more timely than ever, given our video-screen and celebrity, culture.

If I were King...I'd make this film manditory viewing.

[Michael O'Regan]

I agree wholeheartedly. I, too, rewatched it recently. It moved me immensely when I first saw it around 15yrs or so ago.
It's still just as beautiful.

[Christopher Jacobs]

The silent version is also very good!

[missdupont]

I agree with Chris, Richard Barthelmess and Blanche Sweet are superb in the silent version, I had lumps in my throat watching it.

[JFK]

CLICK TINY LINKS TO HEAR EPISODES

Screen Guild Theater 11-26-1939
Roger Pryor (Host) Harry Von Zell (Announcer) Helen Hayes, Fredric March
Lux Radio Theater 09-03-1945 (hour-long broadcast)
Hunt Stromberg (Host) Robert Young, Dorothy McGuire
Theater of Romance 02-26-1946
Herbert Marshall, Robert Young, Lurene Tuttle (in the McGuire role)
Hallmark Playhouse 05-19-1949
James Hilton (Host) Richard Widmark, Lurene Tuttle (again, in the McGuire role), Gerald Mohr, Verna Felton
General Electric Theater 09-24-1953
Ken Carpenter (Announcer) Joan Fontaine, William Johnstone, Tom Tully, Gloria Gordon, Lurene Tuttle, Dan O'Herlihy

[Ray Faiola]

THE ENCHANTED COTTAGE is one of the RKO classics that was heavily edited for reissue. And that was the camera neg that was cut. The main titles were completely reshot, allowing for 1:85 safety (and the character tableaus were eliminated). Turner came up with a complete 35mm print years ago and released it on VHS. I'm sure the same print was used for DVD.

A great movie with a very fine score by the ubiquitous RKO workhorse Roy Webb.

[Michael O'Regan]

The silent version is also very good!

Is it available?

[Lokke Heiss]

A person liking The Enchanted Cottage used to be a litmus test for me to know whether I was going to like them or not.

But let's face it, time has gone by, and nowadays, just even KNOWING there is a film called The Enchanted Cottage has become the test.

[Phillyrich]

Some interesting posts. I'm glad the film still matters to people. Danny Peary wrote in his film guide that the film is schmaltz,: "the syrup is laid on thick... and it's a bad brand." I suppose his is the more common view.

What drew me back to the film was that a few years ago, I had to walk with a cane for a while due to an illness. It gave me a great deal of insight into how people treat those who are less desirable in our "appearances-matter-most" society.

Can someone provide more information about the 1924 silent version?

[missdupont]

I saw the 1924 Inspiration Pictures film at Pordenone in 2004. John Robertson directs, with photography by George Folsey, which is gorgeous. I was wrong earlier, it's actually May McAvoy who stars with Barthelmess. It was made at Fort Lee, NJ, almost entirely on a glass enclosed studio set. It was the last silent feature production made by an important producer/star in Fort Lee. He's a WWI vet. I don't know if it's available on DVD.

[drednm]

The silent version with Barthelmess and McAvoy has been around for a while but not sure if there was ever a commercial VHS or DVD released. The version I've seen is pretty bad but watchable. A 16mm copy sits at Indiana University library in a gifted collection but I have no idea as to video quality. It is available for viewing onsite. There are probably prints at other archives as well.

[George O'Brien]

I love "The Enchanted Cottage"(1945) and managed to see the silent version with Barthelmess on Youtube before it was unceremoniously yanked.