Treasure Hunt

source: Treasure Hunt

Moviecut—Treasure Hunt

Instead of coming up with my own, I'm just going to rely in part on the plot summary from IMDb: "Short of money, the owners of Ballyroden Hall must attempt to run it as a guest house, but not everyone is happy about the plan." In fact, some members of the household actively attempt to sabotage the effort to raise money as the first paying guests arrive. I don't know what I was expecting from Treasure Hunt, but this wasn't it. I really hate to use this term when describing a film, but Treasure Hunt is horribly "dated". Maybe this kind of comedy worked in the UK in 1952, but it doesn't do much for me - and I'm a fan of older movies. Most of the supposed humor comes from the eccentric nature of Ballyroden's inhabitants In the case of Treasure Hunt, however, eccentricity is taken too far and becomes uber-annoying. I admit that I found Aunt Anna Rose, as played by Martita Hunt, mildly amusing from time-to-time, but it was near enough to make up for the rest of the casts' antics. I was at least hoping the titular Treasure Hunt might provide some entertainment. However, it doesn't occur until there are only 4 or so minutes left in the film. Overall, not a very enjoyable experience. 3/10

After reading these glum reviews I didn't expect much from this film, but I do enjoy vintage British comedies, so decided to give it a look on a rainy afternoon. I was pleasantly surprised, mostly by the eccentricities throughout, in both characters and dialogue. Right from the beginning, with the play between the "lord of the manor" and the local poacher colluding to meet up for a night of poaching together, with the poacher calling the "lord" "you darling man", I found myself smiling. This warm and silly film held my attention in a light and non-threatening way. Nobody was being murdered, there were no nasty surprises, it just did what a mainstream 1950s British comedy was meant to do: amuse and entertain. It's true it was no Ealing comedy, but it had its delightful moments. Especially charming was Martita Hunt as Aunt Anna Rose, along with Naunton Wayne, Athene Seyler, Jimmy Edwards and the unfortunately underused Irene Handl, who is always fun to watch. I am sorry for all those whose main comment is that the film is "dated". Yes, it's "dated", it's over 70 years old! Being "dated" is one of its charms to me, and I bet to many others if they give it a chance. It's a charming film and I recommend it!

I used to like Jimmy Edwards.I saw him on stage with Eric Sykes in Big Bad Mouse.I enjoyed his sort of bombastic comedy.However even he is defeated by this unfunny comedy about this impecunious Irish aristocratic family left nothing but debts in the fathers will.However it is believed their is treasure hidden somewhere in the house.So they have to take in paying guests which not everyone is happy with.Eminently forgettable.

Possible spoilers!! I found this a rather dull and very dated Irish/British comedy/satire set in a large ancestral Irish mansion. My wife found it amusingly eccentric. It was written as a stage play and its premise is that of an eccentric family living beyond their means. They have to take in PG's (paying guests). Half the family are in favor and the other half endeavour to sabotage's the money making scheme. There's love interests, a kooky aunt who may save the day and a hunt for treasure. Good natured and predictable, not memorable. Jimmy Edwards manages to blow on a few brass instruments which I believe is a bit of a trademark with him.

TREASURE HUNT is an extremely dated and unfunny ensemble comedy starring Jimmy Edwards, a one-time popular comedy whose acts haven't exactly aged well over the decades. He's part of an Irish aristocratic family who lose all of their money and are forced to take in paying guests. The comedy is loose and slow and generally laboured, thus dated in the worst kind of way. Generally the only fun comes from some well-established stars in support, including Irene Handl as the nanny, Miles Malleson as the solicitor, and THE BRIDES OF DRACULA's Martita Hunt as a true eccentric.

The patriarch of a family in Ireland dies and and bequests each of his relatives with a sum of money. One small caveat, there is no money so they decide to take in paying guests, well half do and the other half try to sabotage the scheme. There's a host of British comedy stars but none of them really shine, least of all Jimmy Edwards.

source: Treasure Hunt

After reading these glum reviews I didn't expect much from this film, but I do enjoy vintage British comedies, so decided to give it a look on a rainy afternoon. I was pleasantly surprised, mostly by the eccentricities throughout, in both characters and dialogue. Right from the beginning, with the play between the "lord of the manor" and the local poacher colluding to meet up for a night of poaching together, with the poacher calling the "lord" "you darling man", I found myself smiling. This warm and silly film held my attention in a light and non-threatening way. Nobody was being murdered, there were no nasty surprises, it just did what a mainstream 1950s British comedy was meant to do: amuse and entertain. It's true it was no Ealing comedy, but it had its delightful moments. Especially charming was Martita Hunt as Aunt Anna Rose, along with Naunton Wayne, Athene Seyler, Jimmy Edwards and the unfortunately underused Irene Handl, who is always fun to watch. I am sorry for all those whose main comment is that the film is "dated". Yes, it's "dated", it's over 70 years old! Being "dated" is one of its charms to me, and I bet to many others if they give it a chance. It's a charming film and I recommend it!