Trouble in the Glen

Trouble in the Glen

UK theatrical poster
Directed by Herbert Wilcox
Produced by Herbert Wilcox
Written by Frank S. Nugent
story by Maurice Walsh
Starring Margaret Lockwood
Orson Welles
Forrest Tucker
Music by Victor Young
Cinematography Max Greene
Gilbert Taylor (uncredited)
Production
company
Everest Pictures
Republic Pictures
Distributed by Republic
Release dates
 15 June 1954 (London)(UK)
Running time
 91 mins
Country UK
Language English

Trouble in the Glen is a 1954 British comedy film directed by Herbert Wilcox and starring Margaret Lockwood, Orson Welles and Forrest Tucker.[1] It is loosely based on Maurice Walsh's 1950 novel of the same name. It was filmed in Trucolor for Republic Pictures.

Plot summary

After moving from South America to the Scottish Highlands, millionaire Sanin Cejador y Mengues (Welles) reassumes the title of laird of Glen Easan, which he inherited from his grandfather, Sandy Menzies. Obstinate in nature, Mengues soon finds the climate inhospitable, and the language and customs of the Highland people exasperating. While fishing on the loch with his equally stubborn, distantly related cousin Angus, who works as a fishing or hunting guide for the estate, Mengues hooks and then loses a large trout, and the confrontation escalates from Gaelic epithets and an overturned boat to Mengues firing Angus. When the locals then refuse to work for him and his cattle roam unmanaged over the glen, Mengues, advised by Oliver Dukes (Archie Duncan), his factor from Glasgow whom the villagers distrust, closes a heavily used road that leads through his property.

By the time American widower, Major Jim "Lance" Lansing (Tucker), a former Air Force pilot who was stationed in Scotland during World War II, returns there, the disgruntled villagers are burning the laird in effigy. After a quick drink at the pub, where he befriends tinker and former paratrooper Malcolm MacFie (John McCallum), Lance reunites with his old friends the Carnochs, who act as guardians of Lance's young daughter Alsuin (Margaret McCourt), who adores Lance but is unaware that he is her father. Stricken with polio, the bedridden Alsuin is hard-hit by the closing of the road, which inspires her made-up fairy tales and provides people to call to her as they pass.

At her request, Lance, whom Alsuin calls "Sir Lancelot", proceeds to the Mengues estate to talk to the laird about the road. Finding the gate locked, he climbs the fence, but before approaching the castle, detours to the loch and takes a swim. Mengues' feisty daughter Marissa (Lockwood) spots him trespassing and steals his trousers while he is in the loch. Later, dressed in the clothes he has left, Lance shows up at the castle and manages to meet Mengues, who will only advise him, as a fellow foreigner, to "leave Scotland."

Lansing, however, rallies the people of the glen and eventually, they prevail upon Mengues to restore peace, but not before a brief and unconvincing fistfight between Lansing and Dukes. Mengues apologizes to all by explaining that he has recently learned the difference between a lord and a laird. A lord, he says, takes care of the people and land belonging to him, while a laird belongs to the land and the people.

With peace restored, the road re-opens, and during the wedding festivities of Lance and Marissa, Mengues, dressed in a kilt, promises Alsuin, who knows now that Lance is her father, that they both will be dancing within six months. Tinker chieftain Parlan (McLaglen) and Malcolm enjoy the party from the window, until they realize it is an excellent night for poaching.

Cast

Production

The film was based on a novel by the writer of The Quiet Man. Republic hoped that John Wayne would co star with Margaret Lockwood.[2]

Critical reception

References

  1. ↑ "Trouble in the Glen (1954) | BFI". Ftvdb.bfi.org.uk. Retrieved 2014-07-27.
  2. ↑ NOTED ON THE LOCAL SCREEN SCENE By HOWARD THOMPSON. New York Times (1923-Current file) [New York, N.Y] 23 Aug 1953: X5.
  3. ↑ B. C. (1955-04-11). "Movie Review - Trouble in the Glen - At the Baronet". NYTimes.com. Retrieved 2014-07-27.
  4. ↑ Luck, Richard (2010-01-05). "Trouble In The Glen". Film4. Retrieved 2014-07-27.
  5. ↑ "Trouble In The Glen Review". Movies.tvguide.com. 2012-11-28. Retrieved 2014-07-27.
  6. ↑ "Trouble in the Glen (1954) - Trailers, Reviews, Synopsis, Showtimes and Cast". AllMovie. Retrieved 2014-07-27.
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