Is the ending of the film the same as the ending of the play? - Blithe Spirit (1945) Discussion

[–] colin-ayres-1 16 years ago

Saw it a couple of years ago at the Savoy in London and yes the ending was much the same, but you only heard the car/crash.

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[–] 16 years ago

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[–] the_spaz 16 years ago

NO. they are (or WERE, rather) two different people.

Ballin, yo. Ballin.

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[–] laurence01 11 years ago

Saw it a couple of years ago at the Savoy in London and yes the ending was much the same, but you only heard the car/crash.

It sounds to me as if you have seen an a version adapted to be more like the film. There is no car crash at the end of the script, or in the original production. The play is simply supposed to finish with Charles leaving while the ghosts (who we can't see by this time) are smashing up the house. There was nothing in the original to indicate that Charles died as well. In fact if what you saw was an Ammeter / Community production then the change may well have been illegal.

Let Zygons Be Zygons.

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[–] pyewacket 15 years ago

No, the original ending in the play has Charles toasting the ladies, and leaving as the mantle falls over and pillows and pictures fly as the two unseen ghosts trash the house in a fit.

The musical version of the play, "High Spirits," has both Charles and Madame Arcati drinking poisoned brandy and dying.

The London revival must have crafted a new ending similar to the movie.

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[–] scotbpens 15 years ago

I'm glad someone mentioned the Broadway musical version High Spirits. I was beginning to think I was the only person who remembered it!

The original 1964 production starred Edward Woodward (of TV "Equalizer" fame), Tammy Grimes, Louise Troy, and Beatrice Lillie, and was directed by Sir Noël himself. It featured a charming, witty and literate score by Hugh Martin and Timothy Gray.

Has anyone else heard of this show? I've always though it would make a good made-for-TV movie, but it's probably too obscure for today's audiences.

All the universe . . . or nothingness. Which shall it be, Passworthy? Which shall it be?

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[–] ghostfan 13 years ago

New answer to an old post but - Yes, I know this musical very well - I only wish I had seen it! I found the LP in a used record shop years ago and then FINALLY found the recording on CD - and managed to snag a copy on EBAY after four times of watching the bids get up to the 60 dollar range.

LOVE that CD - prior to finding the LP, I didn't know Edward Woodward could sing either!

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[–] m-leschack 15 years ago

In the production I saw in Pittsburgh, Mr. Condimene survives.

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[–] DodgersRule 14 years ago

In the most current Broadway play, with Angela Lansbury, the room gets trashed by the spirits as he leaves ... Very funny, wonderful play.

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