Happy Ever After (1954 film)

Happy Ever After

Company type	Film
Industry	Film industry
Founded	1954
Founder	Mario Zampi (director)
Products	Comedy film
Parent	Associated British Picture Corporation

Happy Ever After is a 1954 British comedy film directed by Mario Zampi and featuring performances from David Niven, Yvonne De Carlo, Barry Fitzgerald, and George Cole. The storyline revolves around the unexpected demise of an Irish landowner who bequeaths his property to a distant cousin. In the United States, the film was released under the title Tonight's the Night. Its earnings in the UK amounted to £255,863.

Production

Initially named O'Leary Night, the movie was filmed at Elstree Studios under Associated British, with art direction by Ivan King. Forty Hall near Enfield was used as the ancestral Irish residence, while on-location scenes were captured in Braughing, Hertfordshire, where the local railway station was temporarily renamed Rathbarney for filming purposes.

Yvonne De Carlo remarked that this role would assist her shift into comedic roles, moving away from her usual "siren" character portrayals.

Plot

General O'Leary suffers fatal injuries after attempting to leap a wall on horseback. Before passing, he allocates £1,000 each to his devoted servant Thady O'Heggarty, his neighbor Major Monty McGluskey for caring for his horse and dog, and Doctor Michael Flynn for extending his life. He forgives all outstanding debts owed to him and leaves the rest of his estate to Jasper O'Leary, a distant relative who has never visited Rathbarney.

Jasper quickly alienates the local community by revealing himself as a self-serving opportunist who views the inheritance as a means to avoid an unwanted marriage. He courts Serena McGluskey, a young widow recently returned to Rathbarney. Jasper confides in Serena about his intention to exploit the estate and depart once he has "squeezed the lemon dry."

Due to Jasper’s unpopularity, some locals at Dooley's pub organize a secret lottery to select someone to assassinate him. The chosen accomplice Terence faints, and various groups independently attempt murder but are thwarted by mishaps and interference.

Meanwhile, Doctor Flynn remains enamored with Serena despite her previous rejection, unaware of her sister Kathy’s feelings toward him. Serena’s growing interest in Jasper helps Flynn move forward. After several refusals, Serena consents to marry Jasper.

On a night when an alleged ancestral ghost appears, multiple assassination attempts converge again but fail. Jasper tries unsuccessfully to set fire to the mansion for insurance purposes. Father Cormac then discloses a letter from General O'Leary containing a revised will that transfers ownership of the estate to Major McGluskey should Jasper prove unfit. Jasper proposes leaving if the others stop their attempts on his life. Serena surprises him by deciding to accompany him.

Reception

The film achieved significant success at the British box office and is considered one of Associated British's most lucrative productions. In 1954, Kinematograph Weekly identified it as a "money maker."

It was distributed in the United States in December 1954 by Allied Artists.

Cast

• David Niven as Jasper O'Leary
• Yvonne De Carlo as Serena McGluskey
• Barry Fitzgerald as Thady O'Heggarty
• George Cole as Terence
• A. E. Matthews as General O'Leary
• Noelle Middleton as Kathy McGluskey
• Robert Urquhart as Doctor Michael Flynn
• Michael Shepley as Major McGluskey
• Joseph Tomelty as Dooley
• Eddie Byrne as Lannigan
• Liam Redmond as Regan
• Jimmy Mageean as Divarsion
• Patrick McAlinney as O'Connor
• Brian O'Higgins as Milligan
• Patrick Westwood as Murphy
• Fred Johnson as Father Cormac
• Ronan O'Casey as Reporter
• Michael Martin Harvey as Villager
• Denis Martin as Singer
• Bill Shine as Saxby
• Anthony Nicholls as Solicitor
• Harry Hutchinson as Old Porter
• Tommy Duggan as Toastmaster
• Valerie French as Girl at Hunt Ball