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Ghost Ship (1952 film)
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Wikipedia article
'Ghost Ship' is a 1952 British horror thriller film directed by Vernon Sewell and starring Dermot Walsh and Hazel Court. It was written by Vernon Sewell and Philip Thornton. This was one of four attempts by Vernon Sewell to adapt and film an obscure Pierre Mills and Celia de Vilyars Grand Guignol stage play, called 'L'Angoisse'. It was shot at Merton Park Studios as a second feature.
The 2002 film of the same title is completely unrelated and not considered a remake.[http://www.entertainyourbrain.com/ghostshiprev.htm Entertain Your Brain! 'Ghost Ship' (2002) Review]
Plot
Guy and Margret, a newly-wed couple, meet a broker in the hopes of buying the steam yacht 'Cyclops' to fix it up as a floating home. Before they make the purchase the Yard Manager tells them about the ship's previous owners. He explains that after the war the yacht was bought by Professor Martineau, an atomic scientist who installed a number of gadgets including automatic gyro steering. Martineau, his wife, and their engineer and friend Peter, set sail on a pleasant day for Doville, however they never arrived. After being unable to contact the 'Cyclops' an enquiry assumed they struck a mine and were lost at sea. A month later three fishermen discover the 'Cyclops' devoid of crew and off course. Another enquiry is held and discovers that the ship must have been abandoned at least three days, the machinery and equipment was in perfect working order, no attempt had been made to contact another ship, and that one of the lifebuoys was missing, however they are unsure if the automatic steering was engaged. A body is found washed up on the beach, however Martineau's housekeeper explains it cannot be him as it doesn't have the burn scar Martineau received on his arm as a student. The enquiry concludes assuming two of those onboard must have drowned trying to save the third.
The Yard Manager tells Guy and Margret that the 'Cyclops' has since changed hands many times but has never found a long-term owner. He also tells them that he believes the ship is haunted as he had mysteriously smelt cigar smoke, however Guy believes the Yard master is reluctant to sell as he uses the ship for smuggling. Guy and Margret buy the 'Cyclops' after being told that it is in great shape and working perfectly and move it to a dry dock for overhaul and repainting. Unable to find a local deckhand, Guy reluctantly hires Mansel, who also doesn't believe the yacht is haunted and has been rather poorly looking after the 'Cyclops' for years. Guy and Margret host a house-warming party onboard to celebrate their first successful trip out on the 'Cyclops', where a guest tells Guy he smells a Havana cigar despite none being present. That night the engineer hired to run the boat quits after claiming that his wife has become ill, however later the Yard Manager tells Guy that he doesn't believe the engineer had a wife at all and that a rumour is spreading that he left after seeing a ghost.
Guy hires a new engineer but Margret complains that he smokes cigars in their quarters as she can smell the smoke. When Guy goes to confront the engineer he quits, claiming to have seen a ghost on board as well. Margret receives a call from the bridge but hears only breathing, and discovers that Guy is only next door and Mansel has the evening off. When Guy and Margret investigate they find the bridge empty, however Margret smells cigar smoke again and faints. A worried Margret begins to believe something supernatural is happening, however Guy still believes someone is trying to trick them into abandoning the 'Cyclops'. Later, while working in the engine room, Guy sees a man smoking a cigar who disappears when Guy challenges him. Debating whether to sell the 'Cyclops' or not, Margret contacts the Institute for Investigation of Psychic Phenomena (IIPP) to hire a paranormal investigator.
Dr. Fawcett arrives and feels a strong psychic influence onboard the 'Cyclops' after also smelling cigar smoke, although Guy still remains sceptical. Dr. Fawcett invites his medium Mrs. Manley onboard to host a sance where she contacts the spirits onboard. The group discover that Martineau's wife and Peter were having an affair and planned to kill Martineau and push him overboard. As Mrs. Martineau and Peter make their plan however, Martineau is able to hear them after breaking the phone on the bridge. Martineau confronts his wife and Peter and shoots them before hiding their bodies in a disused water tank under the floor boards, taking some money, changing the ship's course, and jumping overboard with one of the lifebuoys. Guy and Dr Fawcett find the water tank to confirm the story but before they can call the police, Mansel commits suicide on deck. After seeing a burn scar on Mansel's arm Guy realises that he is Professor Martineau. Dr Fawcett tells a still doubtful Guy that with Martineau dead the haunting should stop. Happy, Guy and Margret set sail on the 'Cyclops' again.
Cast
* Dermot Walsh as Guy Thornton
* Hazel Court as Margaret Thornton
* Hugh Burden as Dr. Fawcett
* John Robinson as Prof. Mansel Martineau
* Hugh Latimer as Peter
* Joan Carol as Mrs. Martineau
* Joss Ambler as Yard Manager
* Mignon O'Doherty as Mrs. Manley
* Laidman Browne as Coroner
* Meadows White as Mr. Leech, Yard Surveyor
* Pat McGrath as Bert, 1st Fisherman
* Joss Ackland as Ron, 2nd Fisherman
* John King-Kelly as Sid 3rd Fisherman (as John King Kelly)
* Colin Douglas as 1st Engineer
* Jack Stewart as 2nd Engineer
* Anthony Marlowe as Thomas Selter (Lloyd's Surveyor)
* Geoffrey Dunn as Strange Passenger
* Ian Carmichael as Bernard
* Anthony Hayes as Pianist
* Barry Phelps as Steward
* Robert Moore as Police Inspector
* Ewen Solon as Plain Clothes Man
* Jock Finlay as Policeman
* Madoline Thomas as Mrs. Morgan, Housekeeper
* Graham Stuart as 1st Guest
* Gordon Bell as 2nd Guest
* Patricia Owens as Joyce - Party Girl
* Melissa Stribling as Vera - Party Girl
Production
The film received partial funding from Anglo-Amalgamated. It starred the real life husband and wife team of Dermot Walsh and Hazel Court. Most filming took place in Merton Park Studios with exteriors shot on the director's own yacht, 'Gelert' in the English Channel.John Hamilton, 'The British Independent Horror Film 1951-70' Hemlock Books 2013 p 21-23 The film features Ian Carmichael, briefly, as a drunken guest, in an early film role. It includes some limited shots of Shoreham Harbour canal, Southwick Town Hall, and Lady Bee Marina.
Critical reception
TV Guide called the film a "talky but fairly atmospheric effort...hampered by its low budget."
See also
* List of British films of 1952
References
* AMG. (n.d.). Ghost Ship| Cast Information. Retrieved 28 November 2010, from Fandango: www.fandango.com/ghostship_v19646/cast
* Adams, L. (n.d.). Ghost Ship (1952). Retrieved 28 November 2010, from IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0044656/
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