The Enchanted Cottage (1924)

Richard Barthelmess ("Oliver") returns, seriously wounded, from WWI and after a time with his rather, shall we say overwhelming, family and after watching his childhood sweetheart marry a more able-bodied gentleman, he retreats to a small cottage on their estate where he just wants to be left in peace. His neighbour is a plain and simple woman "Laura" (Mary McCoy), who chats occasionally, hoping to gee him from his melancholy. Initially he is unresponsive, for the most part, until he is threatened by his rather overpowering sister "Ethel" (Florence Short) who decides that she is going to move in with him... Horrified (as any of us would have been, frankly!) but the thought of this prospect, he suggests to "Laura" that they marry and that she move in with him. At this stage in the film, there are some wonderfully honest conversations between them (and well illustrated by the tone of the inter-titles) basically explaining that this is well and truly a platonic, marriage of convenience - and poor old "Laura" is fully aware of the diversionary tactic nature of their nuptials. What soon becomes clear is that their cottage is, indeed, enchanted - it was always the one used by honeymooning couples and their spirits (quite cleverly represented by some ghostly apparitions) still frequent the place bestowing hope and good fortune, they hope, on their successors in the property. Will their good wishes work with these two? What do you think...? Barthelmess and McAvoy have quite a chemistry between them here - she demonstrates the gentle and caring, compassionate woman with considerable skill and he, likewise, has a certain charm with his performance as the desperate, lonely, soldier. There's also a strong, if sparing, contribution from Holmes Herbert as the blind "Maj. Hillgrove" who has a unique way of identifying which books are on the shelves of his extensive library and the other cast add to the richness too. The story is simple, almost cruel at times, but well delivered. Technically, it is a bit static - the direction lacks intensity and any sense of intimacy. Their gradual feelings of attraction are known to us, but not really demonstrated, and the second part of the feature loses the sharpness of the start. It's still enjoyable enough to watch, though.