Not that it matters now or, for that matter, that anyone involved is still around to furnish an answer of sorts, but, having seen this recently on the fairly good Talking Pictures channel I wondered why anyone, in the last year of the war, would elect to make a ghost story- lite and/or would prevail upon James Mason to play a man twice his age or indeed why he would consent to do so - other, of course, than to show he could - and just what audience it was targeting. Gainsborough is a well remembered production company to those of a certain age and most of the credits here, both behind and in front of camera are up to snuff but still the question persists: Why?

...of countless earlier similar stories.This unfortunately is just one of many failings which caused a production with a quality cast to fail to impress indeed struggle to hold the viewers attention. As others have already commented, why have a 36 year old James Mason married to a 31 year old Barbara Mullen play throughout an elderly couple more than twice their age? The extremely distinguished Mason comes across as Am-Dram-ham old man. The tone is uncertain - the concluding sudden jollity seems out place. Despite its theme it entirely lacks thrills and chills. Famous character-actors Moore Marriott (usually a querulous toothless side-kick) and Ernest Thesinger, spectacularly slightly other-worldly (his forte), under-exploited by the director who brings wholly unintended dispirited lifelessness to what should have been a lively story about ghosts. The studio lighting was reminiscent of made for TV US comedies of the '50's and '60s - the entire set, cast and walls, flooded with an even light, the same regardless if night or day. The paint on a closing door even briefly reflects the light from a large (2Kw?) studio lamp at about shoulder height.Throughout it was if some kind of subtle ghostly malaise had affected the entire production or at least its director.

A Place of One's Own is directed by Bernard Knowles and adapted to screenplay by Brock Williams from the novel written by Osbert Sitwell. Out of Gainsborough Pictures it stars James Mason, Barbara Mullen, Margaret Lockwood, Dennis Price and Dulcie Gray. Music is by Hubert Bath and cinematography by Stephen Dade.Retiring couple the Smedhurst's (Mason & Mullen) purchase Bellingham House and hire Annette Allenby (Lockwood) as a companion for Mrs. Smedhurst. Bellingham House had been empty for a number of years, and soon enough the new inhabitants, especially Annette, find out why.A gentle Edwardian ghost story that's full of charm and whimsical romance, it's clearly not a film for horror fans looking for a fright night in by candle light. There are a few nice supernatural touches such as hushed voices, the tinkling of the ivories, interior gust of wind, that sort of thing, while the possession angle is nicely handled by Knowles in what was his first major directing assignment.Gainsborough were hoping to replicate the success of the Man in Grey from two years earlier, which had starred Mason and Lockwood, but A Place of One's Own was a flop, with Mason himself later saying that he dropped the ball with this one. The problem is that the film is often too off-beat, with Mason cast as an elderly man and pretty much hamming it up to the point of detracting from Lockwood's fine work.Still, it's a very pleasing and harmless picture in spite of the mixed tonality, while having a Ernest Thesiger cameo is always a good thing. 6/10

The movie begins as an elderly couple close the deal on a beautiful house. That's one of the meanings of the title: The wife has always wanted a beautiful house of their own.But ah! Villagers very soon start talking: The couple got it at a good price because it is haunted and no one else has wanted to touch it.James Mason plays the old gent. He is made up and dressed to seem at least twice the age he was. The voice is recognizable, though. Even without knowing the cast in advance, I'd have known his voice. He does a good job, not overacting or hamming up the idea of playing old. (I don't think he in fact did age in this way, but who could have known?) Something about playing older characters fascinates actors. Robert Donat won an Oscar for it in "Good-bye, Mr. Chips." The first time I saw that movie, in a revival theater, I was knocked out by it. But I have to say that Mason overplays a little less than Donat, as far as playing an older man.Mason's wife engages a companion. In a way this is a plot device. We're never completely sure why she has done this. The companion is the lovely Margaret Lockwood. Soon she is saying things she doesn't understand and playing pieces she's never played before on the piano in the house.Beyond that I will not go. All this happens early in the movie.The smaller roles are beautifully cast. It has an elegant look. I wouldn't call it a great movie but it certainly held my interest.