I have to agree with the consensus here that this a comic gem of its type. In its depiction of Irish country life it reminded me a lot of "The Quiet Man," right down to Barry Fitzgerald playing essentially the same character as in that flick, though its production values are not as high and it does not achieve the exalted rank John Ford attained with that movie. Still it's a sparkling comedy with a lot of cracklingly excellent dialogue. The viewer who commented that Niven shows his "dark side" is a bit off the mark, as this is hardly a movie about character development and Niven's character is basically a cartoon, very reminiscent of his Phileas Fogg in "Around the World in 80 Days." He may be nasty but it's hard to dislike him entirely. Yvonne deCarlo does excellent work here. She's great with accents; she's as convincing as an Irish woman here as she was as an Algerian in "The Captain's Paradise." Though the movie is not an Ealing Studios production, it has all the hallmarks of the best of that great studio's comedies in the post-WWII period. Be sure to catch this if you get the chance (thanks, TCM!).
17 Reviews
Perfect for St. Patrick's Day
HotToastyRag19 July 2020
There's nothing like David Niven in glorious Technicolor. His sparkling blue eyes, smooth tan skin, and bright white teeth combine for sheer perfection with unending charm. So, it's no wonder I enjoyed every minute of Happy Ever After (except for the first twenty minutes when he hadn't shown up yet). This movie was a huge hit in England and Ireland, so if you're big on "British humor" you'll love it. It's very, very British.
The Niv plays a new squire to an Irish county run with more love than rules. His ancestor was very lax on rent payments and shopkeeper dues, and on his deathbed, he generously released several men from the debts they owed. Niv isn't so kind, and he's out to "squeeze the lemon" for all he can get. He calls in every debt, due, and payment, and makes enemies of everyone in town except for golddigger Yvonne De Carlo. She's also out to "squeeze the lemon" and she's glad to be on The Niv's arm when he repeatedly makes the townsfolk angry and hurt. It doesn't take long before Barry Fitzgerald, George Cole, Michael Shepley, and the others decide to take matters into their own hands and get rid of the squire once and for all.
Perfect for St. Patrick's Day, or for a drinking party where you take a gulp every time the O'Leary ghost is mentioned, you can't get sillier than a bunch of Irish fools running around trying to bump each other off. You'll get plenty of eye candy, though. Yvonne gets to wear some really pretty dresses!
The Niv plays a new squire to an Irish county run with more love than rules. His ancestor was very lax on rent payments and shopkeeper dues, and on his deathbed, he generously released several men from the debts they owed. Niv isn't so kind, and he's out to "squeeze the lemon" for all he can get. He calls in every debt, due, and payment, and makes enemies of everyone in town except for golddigger Yvonne De Carlo. She's also out to "squeeze the lemon" and she's glad to be on The Niv's arm when he repeatedly makes the townsfolk angry and hurt. It doesn't take long before Barry Fitzgerald, George Cole, Michael Shepley, and the others decide to take matters into their own hands and get rid of the squire once and for all.
Perfect for St. Patrick's Day, or for a drinking party where you take a gulp every time the O'Leary ghost is mentioned, you can't get sillier than a bunch of Irish fools running around trying to bump each other off. You'll get plenty of eye candy, though. Yvonne gets to wear some really pretty dresses!
Happy Ever After
CinemaSerf21 March 2024
It's quite unusual to see David Niven play what amounts to the baddie, but he does it quite enjoyably here in this story of rural Irish shenanigans. When the death-defying "Gen. O'Leary" (AE Matthews) goes hunting and finally fails with the defying bit, his estate falls to great-nephew "Jasper" (Niven) who arrives determined to shake things up. No more country balls, fêtes, community functions - all of that is to go the way of the dodo. The new squire is a pompous ass who's only interested in cash! With many of the locals now facing bankruptcy, it seems that only "Serena" (Yvonne De Carlo) will give him a second look. She likes his money. He likes his money - and to spend it on her, so the pair look like a match made in heaven. With the villagers facing ruination it might just be that their only recourse is to the legendary ghost of the mansion. Might it be able to thwart the venal ambitions of their new landlord? It's a whimsical adventure this with a decent effort from the star and from De Carlo, who gel quite well together as the story trots along for an admittedly overlong ninety minutes. It's quite wittily written now and again, though also a little prone to stereotyping too, and with engaging contributions from the always reliable Barry Fitzgerald and Liam Redmond, it makes for an amiable vehicle for a charismatic star going through the motions. Not great, no, but amiable enough.
Good Comedy Never Changes
chloemichelecm19 March 2019
I saw this movie with my family when it came out in 1954. I was 10 yrs old & laughed & cheered with everyone else in the theatre. The next day I described the movie almost scene by scene for my school bus driver who roared with laughter along with me. I have never written an IMDB review before, & this really isn't a review, just memories of the joy a really good comedy could give people. My dad, a bartender, told his customers about this movie, & they laughed & laughed as well. Seeing it again on TCM two days ago, I appreciated the script, the great Irish actors, Niven & DeCarlo giving great performances, but mostly the memory of seeing this comedy & the joy of telling people about it & enjoying it all over again as we did when this movie first came out.
Thanks for letting me share this with you.
Thanks for letting me share this with you.
Fun premise ruined by a weak script
madbrooks27 January 2021
David Niven was clearly having fun playing a right cad and a bounder in this outing but at 90 minutes in length "Tonight's the Night" is about 60 minutes too long. Niven plays a completely unlikable squire who riles the Irish townsfolk to the point where they all plot his murder, unfortunately, the residents are about as incompetent as they are funny. With such a talented cast on hand it's a shame this movie boasted nary a good performance -Niven may have been having fun with the part but he's not all that funny in it - and the rest of the cast are such an unlikable lot that we have no idea who to root for.
Great little Movie
artzau12 November 2001
David Niven and Yvonne de Carlo. Wow. Add to that, the list of Irish character actors, headed by none other than Barry Fitzgerald himself, toss in a ghost story, a bit of romance and a plot to do in the heir, Niven and you got a great 50's comedy. Lots of wacky entanglements with the lovely Yvonne remarking about the ne'er do well, heir apparent, Niven, "He's a cad." Great escapism and nothing here to take too seriously. Alas, no video, no DVD, so watch for it on the late show where it pops up from time to time.
He's come to liquidate
bkoganbing1 March 2021
Watching Happy Ever especially with Barry Fitzgerald as one of the colorful Irish villagers I couldn't help think that to really put this comedy over you needed the touch of John Ford, Perhaps a few of the faces of the Abbey Theater players as well.
A.E. Matthews is the local squire in his part of Ireland and a most indulgent fellow is he. So indulgent that most of his tenants owe him a lot of money. But he's let it slide.
Now however he's gone and died and his heir David Niven wants everyone to cough up what they owe because he's planning to sell the estate. The villagers want to kill him. All but Yvonne DeCarlo who sees Niven as a way of escape from a dreary life.
Happily Ever After is sadly one of those films where the fabled charm of David Niven has too big a burden to carry with this film. The film has some good moments, but they're few and far between.
David Niven's fans should like this, others I'm not sure.
A.E. Matthews is the local squire in his part of Ireland and a most indulgent fellow is he. So indulgent that most of his tenants owe him a lot of money. But he's let it slide.
Now however he's gone and died and his heir David Niven wants everyone to cough up what they owe because he's planning to sell the estate. The villagers want to kill him. All but Yvonne DeCarlo who sees Niven as a way of escape from a dreary life.
Happily Ever After is sadly one of those films where the fabled charm of David Niven has too big a burden to carry with this film. The film has some good moments, but they're few and far between.
David Niven's fans should like this, others I'm not sure.
Froth?...yes. But definitely a worthy watch.
angryangus29 April 2010
Has to be said that this is a wonderful little farce which pushes all the right buttons. Some great Irish accents and some dodgy 'oirish' accents.
Lots of familiar Irish actors who regularly appeared in British films during the 40's & 50's are on show. Some of the comedy pieces are very funny indeed.
For me though, George Cole as the put-upon, hyper-nervous cellar-boy Terence, whose comedic timing allows him to steal every scene he's in, is the standout amongst a very talented cast. I think Bernard Cribbins must have studied this performance for his 60's comedy film appearances.
The lovely Irish-born actress, Noelle Middleton, makes a rare screen showing. The following year she appeared with David Niven again, in the excellent Carrington V.C, for which she received a BAFTA Best Actress nomination.
A 'slow to start' film that in the end seems to finish too quickly.
All in all, a little gem, so it is!
Lots of familiar Irish actors who regularly appeared in British films during the 40's & 50's are on show. Some of the comedy pieces are very funny indeed.
For me though, George Cole as the put-upon, hyper-nervous cellar-boy Terence, whose comedic timing allows him to steal every scene he's in, is the standout amongst a very talented cast. I think Bernard Cribbins must have studied this performance for his 60's comedy film appearances.
The lovely Irish-born actress, Noelle Middleton, makes a rare screen showing. The following year she appeared with David Niven again, in the excellent Carrington V.C, for which she received a BAFTA Best Actress nomination.
A 'slow to start' film that in the end seems to finish too quickly.
All in all, a little gem, so it is!
One for the Plastics
sjmckenna-2783119 September 2023
Another dreadful film lampooning Ireland, its culture and its people. There is nothing of value in it and the film should be consigned to the dustbin and never shown again. Perhaps it gained some traction across the Atlantic Ocean where the caricatures of Ireland plus the presence of Niven and Yvonne de Carlo might have had box office appeal. This film is part of the genre of treating Ireland as a quaint place full of not very bright people who can't even place a bomb correctly. Its premise seems to be that the Irish are an idle bunch unable to obey the laws of the land nor any simple morality. A film to avoid.
Mr. Niven's hidden dark side
theowinthrop19 February 2005
David Niven is recalled by movie lovers as one of those impeccable, romantic "English" gentlemen (like Ronald Colman, Errol Flynn, Ray Milland, Douglas Fairbanks Jr.) Like Colman and Milland he did get the Oscar, and like them it was for an atypical role - not a comic turn as a 1930's version of Hugh Grant, but a person who makes a glaring social error. Niven's military man in "Seperate Tables" is a mild liar (he never had a heroic war record, and never reached the rank he uses at the residential hotel), and he is arrested for exposing himself to a woman in a theater (in Terrence Rattigan's play it's a homosexual offense). In 1957 it was not a usual action for a movie to discuss such behavior. The gentle, humiliated Niven carried it off very nicely, winning the audience's sympathy.
It was not Niven's sole attempt at reaching the dark side. He had done a marvelous job as the fascinating Aaron Burr in "Magnificent Doll" in 1946. There he was playing Burr according to the "official" version of American history, as an ambitious egomaniac we were just lucky to avoid as President. But if one's historic knowledge of Burr is such as to question that viewpoint the film's impact is spoiled.
Another film that shows Niven at his "worst" best side is this forgotten comedy. An elderly Irish landowner is killed in a fox hunt, and his nephew (Niven) is found to take over the estate. The problem is that whereas the dead laird was a fine example of noblesse oblige his nephew is a sophisticated urbanite who sees the estate as something to sell and pocket the thousands of pounds. His announcement at the annual hunt ball that it is the last is a wonderful moment of total shock for the locals. As Niven has a heart condition, the locals start thinking of causing a fatal shock to kill him. Unfortunately they can't get it into their heads to coordinate their efforts. The last thirty minutes is a marvel of comic pandemonium. One only wishes that the film was shown more frequently - it was seen by this viewer on television in 1966.
It was not Niven's sole attempt at reaching the dark side. He had done a marvelous job as the fascinating Aaron Burr in "Magnificent Doll" in 1946. There he was playing Burr according to the "official" version of American history, as an ambitious egomaniac we were just lucky to avoid as President. But if one's historic knowledge of Burr is such as to question that viewpoint the film's impact is spoiled.
Another film that shows Niven at his "worst" best side is this forgotten comedy. An elderly Irish landowner is killed in a fox hunt, and his nephew (Niven) is found to take over the estate. The problem is that whereas the dead laird was a fine example of noblesse oblige his nephew is a sophisticated urbanite who sees the estate as something to sell and pocket the thousands of pounds. His announcement at the annual hunt ball that it is the last is a wonderful moment of total shock for the locals. As Niven has a heart condition, the locals start thinking of causing a fatal shock to kill him. Unfortunately they can't get it into their heads to coordinate their efforts. The last thirty minutes is a marvel of comic pandemonium. One only wishes that the film was shown more frequently - it was seen by this viewer on television in 1966.
The last of technicolour tripaack
malcolmgsw27 September 2022
Warning: Spoilers
This is a film which is very easy on the eye which sadly doesn't compensate for the poor fare on offering here. The technicolour almost appears oversaturated. It was fighting a losing battle with Eastman Colour.
Obviously this film was popular at the time. However many fifties comedies no longer funny. Time has treated them badly.
The film has a good cast,with many familiar Irish actors on view. Particularly Barry Fitzgerald who was noted for his subtlety.
David Niven trys his best as the unfriendly squire but this sort of comedy was not his forte.
The last 30 minutes, when the villagers try to murder Niven are particularly unfunny.
Obviously this film was popular at the time. However many fifties comedies no longer funny. Time has treated them badly.
The film has a good cast,with many familiar Irish actors on view. Particularly Barry Fitzgerald who was noted for his subtlety.
David Niven trys his best as the unfriendly squire but this sort of comedy was not his forte.
The last 30 minutes, when the villagers try to murder Niven are particularly unfunny.
Wonderful fun film!
norise6 March 2003
Really love this movie. David Niven just sparkles and has some of the best lines of his illustrious career, especially the ending one. Supporting cast is superlative too. Everyone really seemed to enjoy making the movie. In addition the perfect song to set the mood. Please, someone put it one DVD or VHS.
Happily Ever After.
morrison-dylan-fan13 July 2014
Warning: Spoilers
Taking a look at lead actress Yvonne De Carlo's IMDb page whilst searching round for titles to view for an upcoming poll on IMDb's Classic Film board for the best titles of 1954,I was delighted to find out that De Carlo had made a Comedy that year,which led to me getting ready to find out how happy things could be.
The plot:
Since having placed him at the centre of their lives,the towns folk of a small Irish village are saddened to witness wealthy 82 year old landowner General O'Leary die on his death bed.One of the main things that the residences instantly start to miss about O'Leary,is that thanks to his old age,he was more than happy to buy everyone a drink,and to also let anyone go on his hunting estate for free.
With news of O'Leary's death spreading across the pond,O'Leary's nephew Jasper decides to leave England behind,and head straight for Ireland.Revealing himself to be much more aware then the General,Jasper announces to the towns folk that he plans to collect all of the debts which the General 'forgot' to pick up from the townsfolk.Feeling terrified about Jasper attempting to stop 'the good old days' the residences decide that the only way they can keep things going,is if they kill jasper.
View on the film:
Despite being filmed in England instead of the Ireland in which it is based in,director Mario Zampi and cinematographer Stanley Pavey give the film a warm,acrylic appearance,which gives the title a delightful slow- burn country atmosphere,and also acts as a perfect isolated location for some unexpected 'ghostly' events which invade the close-knitted town.
Keeping Jasper limited to a rough sketch so as to make him a boo-hiss figure,the screenplay by Jack Davies, Michael Pertwee and L.A.G. Strong reveal the dislike that the residences have for Jasper by superbly combining folk-style sharp one liners with tremendously done slap-stick set pieces,which go from a wire trap completely back firing,to a 'ghost' rising from the grave far too soon.
Whilst he is placed on the side-lines, David Niven gives a great,smirk- heavy performance as the wicked Jasper,as the beautiful Yvonne De Carlo gives the film a graceful note in her performance as Serena McGlusky,with De Carlo showing McGlusky to be in search of her happy ending with Jasper,whilst the towns people search for their happy ending,of Jasper.
The plot:
Since having placed him at the centre of their lives,the towns folk of a small Irish village are saddened to witness wealthy 82 year old landowner General O'Leary die on his death bed.One of the main things that the residences instantly start to miss about O'Leary,is that thanks to his old age,he was more than happy to buy everyone a drink,and to also let anyone go on his hunting estate for free.
With news of O'Leary's death spreading across the pond,O'Leary's nephew Jasper decides to leave England behind,and head straight for Ireland.Revealing himself to be much more aware then the General,Jasper announces to the towns folk that he plans to collect all of the debts which the General 'forgot' to pick up from the townsfolk.Feeling terrified about Jasper attempting to stop 'the good old days' the residences decide that the only way they can keep things going,is if they kill jasper.
View on the film:
Despite being filmed in England instead of the Ireland in which it is based in,director Mario Zampi and cinematographer Stanley Pavey give the film a warm,acrylic appearance,which gives the title a delightful slow- burn country atmosphere,and also acts as a perfect isolated location for some unexpected 'ghostly' events which invade the close-knitted town.
Keeping Jasper limited to a rough sketch so as to make him a boo-hiss figure,the screenplay by Jack Davies, Michael Pertwee and L.A.G. Strong reveal the dislike that the residences have for Jasper by superbly combining folk-style sharp one liners with tremendously done slap-stick set pieces,which go from a wire trap completely back firing,to a 'ghost' rising from the grave far too soon.
Whilst he is placed on the side-lines, David Niven gives a great,smirk- heavy performance as the wicked Jasper,as the beautiful Yvonne De Carlo gives the film a graceful note in her performance as Serena McGlusky,with De Carlo showing McGlusky to be in search of her happy ending with Jasper,whilst the towns people search for their happy ending,of Jasper.
Very funny film, riotous last half
SimonJack13 May 2020
This 1954 British-made comedy is set in Rathbarney (Ireland) - so the opening credits read. Its population is 507½, including, in parentheses, "the ghost, two oldest inhabitants, three leprechauns and a number of begorrahs." The best known of the cast are David Niven as Jasper O'Leary, Barry Fitzgerald as Thady O'Heggarty, and Yvonne De Carlo as Serena McGlusky.
Jasper turns the local town upside down when he fails to live up to the traditions and goodwill that his great uncle, General O'Leary had maintained as the master of the O'Leary estate. The good general, played by A.E. Matthews, dies after catching pneumonia from falling over a jump into a puddle when his horse bolted. The good general was 82 years old, and apparently his horse was older in horse years. George Cole and Joseph Tomelty head a list of supporting actors that provide most of the comedy. De Carlo plays a gold-digger whom Jasper has eyes for and who would be very willing to accept him in marriage.
This is a very funny film, one of the few in which Niven plays a despicable character. He's an actual cad here, but that's essential for the comedy that is provided mostly by the towns folk. Well, a few well-intentioned lads from the pub. The last half of the film is laugh-out-loud funny. Various groups of the lads try to bump off Jasper and keep foiling one another.
This film was produced and directed by Italian filmmaker Mario Zampi. He made fewer than 20 films and directed only 15 of which half a dozen were comedies. But three of those comedies have the leading comedy actors of the day and are among the best of British comedies of all time. They include, "Laughter in Paradise" of 1951, "Your Past is Showing" of 1957 and "Too Many Crooks" of 1959. They are filled with hilarious antics and very funny dialog throughout.
"Tonight's the Night," (aka, "Happy Ever After") isn't at the level of those three films, but it is a very funny and enjoyable comedy that most people should enjoy.
Here's my favorite line from the film. Serena, "Well, you're broke, and I've only got that three and four pence my husband left me. What are we going to live on?" Jasper, "I'll think of someone."
Jasper turns the local town upside down when he fails to live up to the traditions and goodwill that his great uncle, General O'Leary had maintained as the master of the O'Leary estate. The good general, played by A.E. Matthews, dies after catching pneumonia from falling over a jump into a puddle when his horse bolted. The good general was 82 years old, and apparently his horse was older in horse years. George Cole and Joseph Tomelty head a list of supporting actors that provide most of the comedy. De Carlo plays a gold-digger whom Jasper has eyes for and who would be very willing to accept him in marriage.
This is a very funny film, one of the few in which Niven plays a despicable character. He's an actual cad here, but that's essential for the comedy that is provided mostly by the towns folk. Well, a few well-intentioned lads from the pub. The last half of the film is laugh-out-loud funny. Various groups of the lads try to bump off Jasper and keep foiling one another.
This film was produced and directed by Italian filmmaker Mario Zampi. He made fewer than 20 films and directed only 15 of which half a dozen were comedies. But three of those comedies have the leading comedy actors of the day and are among the best of British comedies of all time. They include, "Laughter in Paradise" of 1951, "Your Past is Showing" of 1957 and "Too Many Crooks" of 1959. They are filled with hilarious antics and very funny dialog throughout.
"Tonight's the Night," (aka, "Happy Ever After") isn't at the level of those three films, but it is a very funny and enjoyable comedy that most people should enjoy.
Here's my favorite line from the film. Serena, "Well, you're broke, and I've only got that three and four pence my husband left me. What are we going to live on?" Jasper, "I'll think of someone."
Welcome to Rathbarney
richardchatten25 June 2022
Mario Zampi's first film in Technicolor at first ominously resembles a piece of twee blarney. But with the arrival of David Niven's aptly named Jasper the cynicism of Zampi's regular scriptwriter Michael Pertwee lets rip and the film just gets funnier and funnier, ending with a priceless sight gag.
I'd want to kill him, too!
planktonrules16 May 2022
Soon after the movie begins, the beloved landowner General O'Leary dies. On his deathbed, the General leaves various bequests to his friends in the village. However, when his heir and distant relative arrives, Jasper O'Leary (David Niven), turns out to be a total jerk. He vows NOT to honor the various bequests and vows to fight folks in court about this. In addition, he soon makes pretty much everyone else angry at him, as Jasper is only concerned with money...and instead of being generous like the General, he's stingy and wicked. It becomes so bad that after a while, several locals try to kill him....and again and again they fail. This is highly reminscent of "The Lady Killers"...though not quite as silly. What's next for this poor Irish town and their new despotic landlord?
This is a thoroughly enjoyable film from start to finish thanks to a lovely script and some very nice acting. The direction, of course, is quite nice and overall I have nothing negative to say about this British film.
This is a thoroughly enjoyable film from start to finish thanks to a lovely script and some very nice acting. The direction, of course, is quite nice and overall I have nothing negative to say about this British film.
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