Movie Type: Family-Oriented Adventure, Family-Oriented Comedy
Themes: Cons and Scams, Assumed Identities, Treasure Hunts
Main Cast: David Niven, Helen Hayes, Jodie Foster, Leo McKern, Veronica Quilligan
Release Year: 1977
Country: US
Run Time: 101 minutes
MPAA Rating: G
Plot
Though she owns a large estate and is herself a noblewoman, Lady St. Edmund (Helen Hayes) is anything but rich. Indeed, if she cannot raise the money needed to pay taxes on the estate, she and the large crew of orphans she has taken in will be thrown out. Legend has it that one of her ancestors, a pirate, hid a substantial treasure in gold coins somewhere in the mansion. Lady St. Edmund has not lost sight of the legend, but neither has she found the coins. With the willing help of her children and her valet-of-all trades, Priory (David Niven), she is doing her plucky best to keep the wolf from the door. However, the thieving duo of Bundage and Grimsworthy (Leo McKern and Vivian Pickles) have decided to mount a search for the legendary loot themselves and have persuaded Casey (Jodie Foster), a waif from L.A., to pose as Lady St. Edmund's long-lost granddaughter and help find and steal the loot. This being a Disney production, one can be confident that good will somehow prevail. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
Review
Candleshoe is typical live-action Disney fare of the '70s, but as family films of the period go, it's rather entertaining and enjoyable. Certainly the presence of such talented actors as Jodie Foster, Helen Hayes, and David Niven gives the film a great deal more interest than it would normally have, and while none of these actors is giving the performance of a lifetime, they are all pleasant company and each one manages to find moments in the film to work a little of their special magic. While the screenplay doesn't give them any remarkable "money scenes," it does provide them with a very workable story and characters that, if not unusual, are fairly well defined. Norman Tokar directs in his usual manner, which is to say in the patented Disney "house style" (i.e., make it clear, and if you're not sure it's clear, repeat until it is clear). There's little originality in his work, but he benefits from the superior cast he has assembled, and he does do a nice job of photographing the Candleshoe estate itself and helping the audience to feel a proprietary interest in it. And overall, there's a friendly peppiness to the film that's appealing. Candleshoe is not a great film, but its primary audience of kids should find a great deal to like, and most parents will find enough to keep them occupied. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide
Ian Sharrock - Peter; Sarah Tamakuni - Anna; David Samuels - Bobby; John Alderson - Jenkins; Mildred Shay - Mrs. McCress; Michael Balfour - Mr. McCress; Sydney Bromley - Mr. Thresher; Michael Segal - Train Guard; Vivian Pickles - Grimsworthy
Credit
Albert Witherick - Art Director, Julie Harris - Costume Designer, Anthony Squire - Costume Designer, Jack Causey - First Assistant Director, Norman Tokar - Director, Peter Boita - Editor, Ron Goodwin - Composer (Music Score), Paul Beeson - Cinematographer, Robin Douet - Production Manager, Ron Miller - Producer, Cliff Culley - Special Effects, Rosemary Anne Sisson - Screenwriter, David Swift - Screenwriter, Michael Innes - Book Author
Con-artist Harry Bundage (McKern) believes that there is a great treasure at Candleshoe, the large country estate of Lady St Edmund (Hayes).
Harry recruits American Casey Brown (Foster)—a street kid—into the plot, employing her to pose as Lady St Edmund's granddaughter, the Honourable Margaret, 4th Marchioness of St. Edmond, who disappeared as a baby after her father died in a car crash. Lady St Edmund, however, is poor and owes money in back taxes. Priory (Niven), her butler (who is forced to pose as a gardener, chauffeur and gentleman Colonel), and some local orphan children help keep the estate finances one step ahead of the government by selling produce made on the estate. All of this happens unknown to Lady St Edmund. Initially Casey enters the con attempting to find the location of the treasure; but her affections gradually turn towards that of the household and Lady St Edmund. She eventually joins them in their quest to uncover Lady St Edmund's treasure for the benefit of Candleshoe, rather than for Bundage.
The four clues revealed in the hunt for the treasure:
"For the sunrise student there is treasure among books."
"He followed the eclipse for riches and fame; and, if ye would prosper, do ye the same."
"Underfoot, in the great hall. Look high, look low, discover all."
Casey Brown's "open sesame" for Lady St. Edmund is a piece of music, "Greensleeves." Casey pretends to remember the tune when a music box is discovered hidden in the fireplace.
