Treasure Hunt (1952 film)


Treasure Hunt is a 1952 British comedy film directed by John Paddy Carstairs and starring Martita Hunt, Jimmy Edwards, Naunton Wayne and Athene Seyler.

Plot

On his death, the eccentric family of rakish Sir Roderick Lyall gathers at his ancestral Irish mansion, Ballyroden Hall, for the reading of the will. Everyone is shocked to hear that, once debts are paid, the only asset remaining will be the mansion. The family doctor, Mr. Walsh, suggests the mansion be turned into a guest house to bring in funds. Half the family supports the idea, but Uncle Hercules and Consuelo endeavour to sabotage the scheme. All the while, Aunt Anna Rose insists she has mislaid a fortune in jewels – but her story is doubted due to her eccentric personality. When the first paying guests, Eustace Mills, Mrs. Cleghorn-Thomas and daughter Yvonne, arrive for their holiday, expecting peace and quiet, they find themselves caught up in a series of farcical situations caused by their hosts.

Cast

TV Guide called it "A tedious comedy"; Britmovie called it a "Minor farce"; while Sky Movies wrote, "Producer Anatole de Grunwald adapted the stage play by M J Farrell and John Perry in an enjoyably straightforward way. Director John Paddy Cartairs handles the film with appropriate vitality, making the most of the basically conventional stage Irish characters. Martita Hunt and Athene Seyler stand out in a large cast, among whom are such familiar faces as Miles Malleson, Alfie Bass and Hammer Films regular Michael Ripper."