Candleshoe
| Candleshoe | |
|---|---|
| File:Candleshoe DVD.jpg | |
| Directed by | Norman Tokar |
| Written by | Michael Innes (novel) Rosemary Anne Sisson David Swift |
| Produced by | Hugh Attwooll Ron Miller |
| Starring | David Niven Helen Hayes Jodie Foster Leo McKern |
| Cinematography | Paul Beeson |
| Edited by | Peter Boita |
| Distributed by | Walt Disney Productions |
Release date | December 16 1977 (USA) |
Running time | 101 minutes |
| Country |  United States |
| Language | English |
Candleshoe is a 1977 Walt Disney Productions live action movie based on the Michael Innes novel Christmas at Candleshoe and starring Jodie Foster, Helen Hayes in her last screen appearance, David Niven and Leo McKern.
Plot
Con-artist Harry Bundage (McKern) believes that there is a great treasure at Candleshoe, the large country estate of Lady St Edmund (Hayes).
Harry recruits American Casey Brown (Foster)—a street kid—into the plot, employing her to pose as Lady St Edmund's granddaughter, the Honourable Margaret, 4th Marchioness of St. Edmond, who disappeared as a baby after her father died in a car crash. Lady St Edmund, however, is poor and owes money in back taxes. Priory (Niven), her butler (who is forced to pose as a gardener, chauffeur and gentleman Colonel), and some local orphan children help keep the estate finances one step ahead of the government by selling produce made on the estate. All of this happens unknown to Lady St Edmund. Initially Casey enters the con attempting to find the location of the treasure; but her affections gradually turn towards that of the household and Lady St Edmund. She eventually joins them in their quest to uncover Lady St Edmund's treasure for the benefit of Candleshoe, rather than for Bundage.
The four clues revealed in the hunt for the treasure:
- "For the sunrise student there is treasure among books."
- "The paths of glory lead but to the grave." (A reference to the poem "Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard" by Thomas Gray.)
- "He followed the eclipse for riches and fame; and, if ye would prosper, do ye the same."
- "Underfoot, in the great hall. Look high, look low, discover all."
Casey Brown's "open sesame" for Lady St. Edmund is a piece of music, "Greensleeves." Casey pretends to remember the tune when a music box is discovered hidden in the fireplace.
Location
Compton Wynyates, in Warwickshire, the home of Spencer, 7th Marquess of Northampton, posed as the fictional estate of Candleshoe.
A GWR 4575 Class appears in the train chase sequence with a GWR shirtbutton logo on either side of its tanks.
Cast
- David Niven - Priory
- Helen Hayes - Lady St. Edmund
- Jodie Foster - Casey
- Leo McKern - Bundage
- Veronica Quilligan - Cluny
- Ian Sharrock - Peter
- Sarah Tamakuni - Anna
- David Samuels - Bobby
- John Alderson - Jenkins
- Mildred Shay - Mrs. McCress
- Michael Balfour - Mr. McCress
- Sydney Bromley - Mr. Thresher
- Michael Segal - Train Guard
- Vivian Pickles - Grimsworthy