Between the Pages

Gene Tierney plays Lucy Muir, a widow who decides to leave London where she has been living with her late husband’s mother and sister, and move to a remote cottage by the sea. However, the cottage is haunted by the ghost of the former owner, the gruff sea captain Daniel Gregg (Rex Harrison).  After an initial period of antagonism, the ghost and Mrs Muir start to have feelings for each other – but can two people from different worlds ever have a happy ending?

This is a really charming movie (which spawned a subsequent television series), which combines mystery, romance and gentle comedy.  Rex Harrison was a very talented actor, but never one who I could warm to.  Here though, he is lovely and incredibly attractive.  He plays the part of Captain Gregg very well – Gregg is brash and blunt, but he also has a capacity for empathy, and wants to protect Mrs Muir.

Gene Tierney is luminous as the feisty Mrs Muir, and really was perfect in the role. Lucy Muir was a terrific character, and I felt for and admired her character, wishing for a happy life for her.

The storyline is very sweet, and although I have no belief whatsoever in the ghosts or spirits, it never seemed ridiculous.  There are loads of special little moments which add humour and poignancy to the story.  I’m not giving away the ending, but I did think that it was perfect.

The supporting cast were great – Edna Best as Martha, Lucy’s maid; George Sanders as Miles Fairley, a very much alive man who romances Lucy Muir; and Natalie Wood (yes, that Natalie Wood) and Vanessa Brown as Mrs Muir’s daughter Anna (Wood plays Anna as a child and Brown plays her as an adult).  However, the film is all about the two lead characters, who have wonderful chemistry.

Finally, a note on Bernand Herrman’s very beautiful score…the music in this film is wonderful, adding dramatic tension, and a tender atmosphere to the film.  I often don’t notice the music in a film (unless it is a musical), but the score here deserves the viewer’s attention.

All in all, a very enjoyable, sweet and not-at-all scary film.

Year of release: 1947

Director: Joseph L. Mankiewicz

Writers: R.A. Dick (book), Philip Dunne

Main cast: Gene Tierney, Rex Harrison, George Sanders, Edna Best