Return to Glennascaul

1952
23m

IMDb RATING

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Orson Welles in Return to Glennascaul (1952)

Psychological Horror Supernatural Horror Horror Mystery Short

Orson Welles, on break from filming Othello, relates a tale he heard one spooky Irish midnight not so long ago when, driving through the countryside, he picked up a man with car trouble who ... Read allOrson Welles, on break from filming Othello, relates a tale he heard one spooky Irish midnight not so long ago when, driving through the countryside, he picked up a man with car trouble who told of a strange encounter with two hitchhikers.Orson Welles, on break from filming Othello, relates a tale he heard one spooky Irish midnight not so long ago when, driving through the countryside, he picked up a man with car trouble who told of a strange encounter with two hitchhikers.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.9/10

979

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Nominated for 1 Oscar
- 1 nomination total

Trivia
Note when the stranded motorist says he has trouble with his distributor, and Orson Welles ironically, and maybe sarcastically, says he also has trouble with his distributor as well - meaning film distributor. He was having financial difficulties making Othello (1951) at the time, so this is probably an inside joke.

Goofs
The narrator says that Sean Merriman returns to the house when he realizes he left his cigarette case on the mantle. However, Lucy Campbell was holding the case when Sean noticed the lateness of the hour and suddenly got up to leave, forgetting to get the case from Lucy in his haste. It is Lucy who places the case on the mantle, which goes unnoticed by Sean while he is bidding farewell to Lucy's mother.

Quotes
Orson Welles: What happened to your car?
Sean Merriman: I had trouble with the distributor. I say, aren't you...?
Orson Welles: Uh... yes, I am. I've had trouble with my distributor, too.

Alternate versions
A four-minute introduction with Peter Bogdanovich was added for 1992 release, retitled "Orson Welles' Ghost Story".

Connections
References Othello (1951)

Soundtracks
Crime Wave
(uncredited)
Music by Bob Busby
Chappell Recorded Music Library

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Review

Featured review

8/10

Old-fashioned ghost story, beautifully shot

This fine little film might be entirely unremembered were it not for the appearance of Orson Welles in the movie's frame and as the narrator throughout. The story is quite predictable to anyone who has ever heard a ghost story told aloud, but manages to deliver a chill anyway. Oddly, the least effective part of the script is that given over to Welles narration. The photography, however, is so good throughout as to approach perfection. The performances are all competent, though Welles can be faulted for chewing the scenery in the old Mercury Theatre manner.