Aunt Clara (1954) User Reviews

You don't have to be young and beautiful to be gorgeous.

[mark.waltz · 5/10 · 8 August 2018]

In the 1930's, MGM's Marie Dressler won the hearts of movie goers around the world with her earthy demeanor and way of stealing a scene even from the likes of Wallace Beery and Jean Harlow. She was a woman in her 60's, rather heavy and with eyes and jowls that resembled a St. Bernard. Unfortunately, her death in 1934 prevented the world from any more performances from this older but gorgeous spirited woman, but Hollywood continued offering certain types of leading roles to women of her type, whether it be May Robson or the similar looking Alison Skipworth. It wasn't until years later that an equally big star of Dressler's stature came along, and that was England's Margaret Rutherford, another overweight, jowly woman who always looked like she was trying to prevent her teeth from slipping out. Equally as big hearted on screen as Dressler, Rutherford quickly became a popular fixture in both leading and supporting roles, and in the title role of this film, once again stole everybody's heart as the only person in a family of greedy hanger-on's to make an impression on the wealthy uncle who left everything to her rather than anybody else: simply because she was too busy helping others to show up and kiss his feet at his 80th birthday celebration.

As this film begins, the feisty Uncle Simon (A.E. Matthews) is planning this big to-do, and as expected, everybody shows up, with equally greedy reverend Raymond Huntley determined to get his hands on Uncle Simon's priceless greyhounds. But in line after line in the will, read almost immediately after Uncle Simon passes on right after the birthday party, mentions Clara getting everything, other than one daughter who gets a minimal amount of money. Clara must convince Uncle Simon's manservant (Ronald Shiner) to stay on, and together, they begin to discover everything that Uncle Simon had money invested in, getting themselves into all sorts of trouble and causing the family to use this against Clara to have her declared incompetent. But a twist of fate makes them see that they need Clara in their lives, possibly being too late. It's a simple comedy of family greed, an often repeated movie theme, where the team of Shiner and Rutherford steal every moment, and Rutherford completely stealing your heart.

Good cast but not a great film

[malcolmgsw · 6/10 · 2 April 2015]

I would agree with 2 of the previous reviewers who have highlighted a major problem with this film,Ronnie Shiner.The director seems content to let him bulldoze everyone else out of the way,overacting wildly.Alas it isn't that funny.Furthermore the main premise of the film is done to death by the end.Margaret Rutherford is likely to be so shocked by the investments of her late relative,A.E.Matthews,that she has to be shielded from them.However in each case she is worldly wise to know what is going on.This might be funny once or twice,but when constantly repeated it actually becomes a bit of a bore.There are a lot of well known character actors appearing in this film but unfortunately they are let down by a script which lacks humour and which ends up rather maudlin.Shiner was a big star in the 1950s but ill health curtailed his career.When you watch his films today you can only wonder why audiences found him so funny.I do remember going to watch him in Operation Bullshine and walking out half way through!

Fine Whimsical tale

[bkoganbing · 6/10 · 16 January 2021]

Margaret Rutherford had few opportunities for leads except for the Jane Marple films. But when she got a role like the one in Aunt Clara she ran away with it.

This is happy and whimsical tale of a woman who is left a small fortune and a lot interesting holdings from her uncle A.E, Matthews. Matthews had some interesting interests that a pious old soul like Rutherford would normally not be dealing with. Like thoroughbred race horses, greyhound dogs, and a bordello where the working girls are getting a bit long in the tooth..

Rutherford may seem a bit dotty, but she has a lot of innate wisdom and things work out for the best though a bit roundaboutly.

This is a fine role for Margaret Rutherfprd and a must for her fans.

Wonderful British Satirical Comedy of the 1950s

[robert-temple-1 · 8/10 · 28 July 2009]

Margaret Rutherford was amazingly endearing. Despite her tiny stature and her lack of physical attributes to recommend her, indeed despite the largest flabby chin ever possessed by a woman in the history of the cinema, her ponderous physique, her wobbly face, and countless other handicaps to elegance, she had a magic which transcended all these limitations and made her loved by the public. She specialized in a subtle, under-stated form of self-deprecation, on the strict understanding (a kind of conspiracy between her and the audience) that she didn't really necessarily mean it, and that she might be very much cleverer than she appeared on the surface. And in this film, she had the opportunity really to 'let her rip' and do all that business as an integral part of the story. Rutherford was not a 'Ha! Ha! Ha!' comedienne, she was a subliminal comedienne who mixed gentle wit with profound satire, as effortlessly as drinking one of her customary cups of tea. She was made for this story and this story was made for her, which may be why the producers chose to film it with her, of course. In the film, she is the elderly inattentive aunt of a rich rogue who owns some questionable businesses connected with gambling, prostitution, risqué parties, and other things which once appeared shocking but which are now routinely indulged in by ten year-olds. (In other words, this film was made in 'The Innocent Fifties'.) The nephew dies and leaves it all to her because she is the only relative who is not a grasping sycophant after his money. So enter Margaret Rutherford, who quietly sets about setting all things to rights, enabling the four prostitutes to retire in comfort and give up their trade, rectifying the situation regarding her nephew's illegitimate daughter (played by a pert and cheerful young Jill Bennett), rewarding the worthy, cleansing the Augean Stables, and generally getting everything ship-shape. The film is peppered with numerous famous character actors of the time, such as Ronald Shiner, A. E. Matthews, Fay Compton, and Nigel Stock. Everybody's favourite barrow boy, Sid James, is terribly funny as an East End bookie at a greyhound race track who is driven to hysterical exasperation by Rutherford. Matthews is excellent as the rascally nephew. Shiner somewhat over-clowns as a butler, and relies too much on grimaces. It is all very good fun indeed, for those of a gentle disposition who do not require comedies to be full of side-splitting laughter and pratfalls. As always with these movies, they are of considerable interest to social historians, if there are any out there who are genuinely interested in human history rather than in statistics and data. Calling all humans interested in human history! Do you view me, over?

Perfectly Cast

[Mark Whiston · 12 April 2001]

This was Margaret Rutherford's favourite film and it's not difficult to see why as she is given full reign to her comic abilities. She is charming throughout and works well particularly in scenes with Ronald Shiner. She plays 'Clara' a middle - aged spinster who is left the task to clean up the acts of several members of her family who are engaged in rather unsavoury practices when her elderly uncle dies. As an angel of mercy, she visits each of her relatives in turn showing them the errors of their ways with hilarious results. Her last visit takes her to Fay Compton who employs a rather dilapidated brothel which includes a group of dishevelled ladies who work there. This scene is particularly moving and full of pathos. Unfortunately this film is rarely shown on British television - a great loss.

What He Would (not) Have Wished

[Goingbegging · 5/10 · 20 November 2020]

"You don't know anything about dogs" - "I'm very fond of dogs".

That little exchange demonstrates the culture-gap between Henry (Ronald Shiner) and Clara (Margaret Rutherford), as he tries to shield her from the murky world of the greyhound stadium.

The odd couple have come together after the death of Clara's rich, unscrupulous uncle, who has bequeathed her everything, as the only relative who has never shown any interest in his fortune - until now, when she wants to know how it was earned. A high-minded spinster who seeks to put the world to rights, she recruits the old man's butler, Henry, to help her investigate what he already knows are a lot of dodgy businesses. That greyhound-stable for one. A pub that waters the beer. A crooked fairground stall. A seedy brothel. And an accountant who pockets the maintenance due to an illegitimate daughter.

Her generous forgiveness of the wicked may not be very believable, but it provides for much comedy of contrast - his flash-harry crudeness, her exaggerated gentility. Watch for the statutory walk-on role for her strange, desperately-shy real-life husband, and a small part for the unknown Sid James, entirely in character as an on-course bookie. The uncle is played by Edwardian relic A.E. Matthews, still in good resonant voice at 85. Don't be distracted by the scriptwriter's name Kenneth Horne - it wasn't the radio comedy star, but a different one, much the same age.

A Fine Vehicle for Miss Rutherford

[boblipton · 8/10 · 27 January 2018]

Margaret Rutherford claimed her favorite movie role was as Aunt Clara and I can understand why. When wealthy, irascible A.E. Matthews dies, he leaves everything to Miss Rutherford: his crooked gambling game, his pub where they sell watered whiskey, his brothel (run by Joyce Compton), his runaway bastard daughter Jill Bennett, and his misogynistic spiv of a manservant, Ronald Shiner. She's been running a slum mission and, playing the sort of vague, pleasant, mildly crackpotted character she did so well -- she has zoomed to the top ranks as Madame Arcati in BLITHE SPIRIT -- everyone thinks they can pull a fast one on her, but in her soft, vague way, she shows herself to be cannily able to redeem through kindness -- and willing to punish the truly wicked when necessary.

As usual, Miss Rutherford shines in a role that looks to have been written specifically for her talents. Even Ronald Shiner, a comic actor who does not usually appeal to me, acquits himself well. Keep an eye out for Sid James in a small but very funny role as a racetrack tout.

A seemingly guileless old lady inherits all sorts of vice-ridden businesses.

[planktonrules · 8/10 · 12 July 2018]

"Aunt Clara" is a cute little British comedy. While it's not exactly a laugh out loud movie, it is sweet and worth seeing.

When the story begins, an old man is preparing for his 80th birthday party. You soon see his various relatives after they receive his invitations....and each of them is coming simply because the guy is rich and they are expecting him to remember them in his will. But when the man dies, everyone is surprised when the bulk of his fortune goes to Clara (Margaret Lockwood), a nice old lady who isn't the least interested in his fortune. And, in fact, she's the only one who didn't come to the birthday party because of this.

What exactly did his will give Clara? Well, she isn't sure and the Uncle's butler, Henry, is not exactly thrilled to tell Clara...in fact he quits! Why? Because the Uncle's hand was involved in all sorts of vices--crooked gambling, prostitution and more! But Clara insists Henry stays to help her and he does. In fact, he spends most of his time trying to trick her into thinking they're all legitimate businesses. What's next? See the film.

While I would never say that this is a great comedy, it is a clever one and well worth your time. I also appreciate how repeatedly the film makes choices I wouldn't have made...making the story a bit of a surprise and not filled with the expected cliches. Well worth your time.

Clash Of Styles

[GManfred · 4 October 2011]

"Aunt Clara" was probably a vehicle for Margaret Rutherford to display her unique subtle, disarming type of humor. I say probably because the picture was hijacked by Ronald Shiner, a vaudeville-type given to bombast and overacting. The styles of the principals are at great variance and on several occasions Miss Rutherford was simply overwhelmed by Mr. Shiner, whose persona has the same effect as, say, Carmen Miranda - an arresting presence that you can't take your eyes off whenever he is on screen. And he is in nearly every scene.

Don't get me wrong. He was funny enough and carried his part well enough, but I put the DVD in to watch Miss Rutherford, who was hard-pressed to compete with the over-the-top style of Mr. Shiner. I savored as I could the moments when she delivered her fey, understated brand of comedy in a part made for her talents as a naive spinster who inherits a fortune from a disreputable nephew. You have to listen for her, but you just watch him.

All in all, it was an enjoyable movie which could have been better but for the complaints mentioned above. It could have been rated a 7 but I settled for 6. Quick note to UK contributors; your ratings for films made in the UK are often misleading. Some even-handedness is needed, as abnormally high ratings hinder rather than help.