The Phantom Light (1935) Binnie Hale and Gordon Harker

Directed by Michael Powell
Starring Binnie Hale and Gordon Harker

[@aliciaczechowski3281]

Superduper adventure, dramatic sea coast setting, great real lighthouse interiors, fabulous characters loaded with individuality, clever and apropos dialogue, edge-of-seat climax, plus, a blond who gets to show off her legs, and, for once, a closing handshake instead of a movie kiss! Yay!

[@JamesLeaveyConnections]

I discovered Gordon Harker on KZbin a couple of years ago. Great comedy actor. Especially love him and my other favourite British actor, Alastair Sim, in the three Inspector Hornleigh films📽🎥🎬🎭😎❤️

[@stevehoch9528]

Just discovered the Hornleigh films myself and they are terrific even though I admit I don't understand some of what they are saying!

[@maryowen1722]

YES!!! Just discovered Insp. Hirnsleigh & Alastair myself this year!

[@jamesmiller4184]

Every Gainsborough Picture . . . a MASTERPIECE !!!

[@philipinchina]

I love these old movies. A real star cast. They did so much with so little.

[@lizclegg7556]

Good film, many thanks for posting. From back in the day when film makers were able to tell a decent story in 72mins, rather than a rubbish story in 150mins.

[@hemanth1778able]

Try Indian movies. They will tell rubbish stories in 180min😁

[@punaluumicelle3057]

Is this the oldest "Hot Pants" or the introduction of them to the fashion industry to mainstream culture or visa versa?

[@uslines]

Spot on!

[@scarygary-qq1pj]

Yes, now they try to offset the lack of talent & imagination with sexual innuendo, explosions, special effects, blood & gore, etc.🤮

[@junesymonds8340]

Loved this film, great setting, inside and outside a lighthouse, hearing them fog horns blow,just set the atmosphere. Loved Gordon ,what a likeable character, great actor, thank you for sharing.

[@robertmorley9149]

Brilliant I love these old British films. The scenery the atmosphere the actors it just reminds of good old England (Britain) and how we used to be. Thanks for posting it and keep them coming please .

[@earthdog9552]

I agree, it is awful the way things have turned out, I find myself searching for old films and living through them to back in the day, bloody sad what England has turned into. God bless you Robert🙏

[@jayare2620]

Gordon Harker is becoming a "bigger" star than he was an ocean away and 80 years ago due to KZbin. Wonders of the cyber world.

[@SamuelConsidine]

Love this, just came across the film as I recently learned that the actress Alice O'Dea 1882 - 1937 from Kilfinnane, Co. Limerick (usually misspelled as 'O'Day') who plays Mrs. Owens was a cousin of my 2x great-grandfather Michael Patrick O'Dea.

[@laurakazimir1712]

What a wonderful connection!

[@fritula6200]

Samuel... be proud...not many make it in films....congratulations!!

[@rclc93]

As soon as I saw Gordon Harker I gave it a thumbs up

[@DavidRice111]

Back again~ I dearly LOVE this film!

[@roringusanda2837]

Oh, I remember Gordon Harker for sure, from Things Happen At Night! One of my favorite movies ever!

[@1LSWilliam]

This film is far better than you might have imagined. One cutting line after the next. The actress is superb and clesrly responsible for much improvisation, leaving her unattainable!

[@MrBlazeright]

The little boy in the light house was played by John Singer. He had only 76 credits, and was uncredited in many of them. The Phantom Light was his 26th role. He was born in Hastings, East Sussex on December 4th, 1923, and he died in Turnbridge Wells, Kent, England, on July 7th, 1987, at the age of just 63 years and 7 months. (He was only 12 when he appeared in The Phantom Light.)

[@davidjacob5828]

The great Michael Powell and the wonderful Binnie Hale 👍.

[@zenarcher_awats]

"See you at the funeral" !! Wonderful Michael Powell. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@kimberlykasimoff1447]

I am really enjoying this movie. I like watching Gordon Harker films. The comedy is good. I laughed out loud when he opened the curtain of the light house bed and the crazy man was sitting up.

[@andydefillippo4415]

Love the old films, also enjoyed The Ghost Train.

[@martas9283]

Super! Good story well told. Must have been spectacular to see on a big screen in 1935

[@scarygary-qq1pj]

There's a theatre in Seattle's University District (Grand Illusion) that shows old movies on a big screen.

[@SuperIliad]

The Phantom Light, released UK 5 August 1935, USA 1950 (re-release). Binnie Hale as Alice Bright; Gordon Harker as Sam Higgins; Donald Calthrop as David Owen; Milton Rosmer as Dr. Carey; Ian Hunter as Jim Pearce; Herbert Lomas as Claff Owen; Reginald Tate as Tom Evans; Barry O'Neill as Capt. Pearce; Mickey Brantford as Bob Peters; Alice O'Day as Mrs. Owen; Fewlass Llewellyn as Griffith Owen; Edgar K. Bruce as Sgt. Owen; Louie Emery, Station Mistress; Anthony Holles as Mr. Mason; Ernest Jay, Railway Worker; Vi Kaley, Woman in Pub; John Singer, Cabin Boy.

[@marks9820]

Thanks John! 👍

[@scallopohare9431]

Wonderful! Very different. It would be really nifty to find some of these locations now.

[@dcsMagazine]

Classic cast. Brilliant film that I didn't know existed. Many thanks!

[@b.b.finsclara3589]

I love this film! I have watched it several times already.....These actors are so talented! I enjoy every minute of it. Thanks.

[@bethparker1500]

What a darn good flick. Glad I made time to start it. Thank you. 🚣🚣🚣

[@teresawoodruff9305]

Gordon is hilarious 😂😊😊He really cracks me up in Inspector Hornleigh movies. Thanks for sharing

[@dcsMagazine]

And the Will Hay film; Boys will be boys

[@flowgap63]

I agree, he is brilliant in the Inspector Hornleigh films. He sounds a bit less comfortable here under Michael Powell's direction.

[@ram7bow]

Oh yes..what a team they were Harker & Sims....hilarious...brilliant talent!

[@rosecanjura9799]

This is a jewel.!!! Thank you for sharing. ;)

[@maryowen1722]

With a name like Mary Owen you know I have to like this movie in Wales!! The touch of Michael Powell’s direction adds the icing on the cake!👍🏼👏🏼👏🏼❤️And a young Ian Holme!!

[@DavidRice111]

Herbert Lomas, who played "Claff Owen" on the lighthouse, also appeared in "The Ghost Train" in a standout performance.

[@kevinhabershon5736]

You can't stay here....lol

[@Norfolk250]

The 10:00 mark.... the lantern swinging from the ceiling gives a on/off/on effect just like a lighthouse does! Sneeeeeeeaky!

[@joe-vl3nd]

Nice one 👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@josephinethorns7680]

Looking forward to seeing this film. I've recently discovered Gordan Hawker and now on the lookout for his films. He always makes me laugh as his delivery of his lines is amazing. Thank you!

[@timmooring387]

The play must have been a hit in its time. Witty, funny dialog., excellent characters. Suspense with "Whiskey and a Splash".

[@altus65]

Very good movie, really enjoyed. Thanks.

[@philthycat1408]

" I'm going to tell yoooooo the trooooooooothhh". Pretty good old movie.

[@Corgis175]

Very entertaining and loved all the accents.

[@Perktube1]

Welsh: what accent.

[@sheilamcclane6452]

Fantastic. Thank you.

[@patrickclark2717]

Great film. Thank's for posting.

[@silverscreenclassics9210]

It was a pleasure! Don't forget to subscribe - and please like and share as well!

[@zenarcher_awats]

"That's silly! How can you vanish if you're invisible?"

[@ZaydDepaor]

"Another white man..." funny. I saw this film about 35 yrs ago on TV, stayed up to watch it, newspaper described it as a 'spine tingler' me and my father laughed at that after watching it, but haven't seen or found it since. Think I may have fallen asleep during it last time.

[@allenkracalik7662]

"A spine tingler?" Hardly!

[@MrTrigger6]

Zayd Depaor : ‘very exciting or frightening in away that you enjoy’ -- afore you is the 1935 Great British definition for ‘Spine Tingler’.

[@chaunceythefrog8608]

Spine tingler? More like a knee slapper!🤪

[@michealfigueroa6325]

Is the "funny bone" connected to the spine? My "funny bone' is usually "tingled" by Harker's work

[@sirbum1918]

Just wonderful.

[@WadeRaney-vv5oi]

A great 🎥,Thanks😉

[@lindacharles6581]

Thank you for sharing, I love the humour in this.

[@jillylloyd3527]

Rear little film, so lucky to have found you, thanks x

[@shelbynamels7948]

".... Owen, Owen, Owen. Ain't there anybody payin'?" It's why I love watching Gordon Harker movies. "I'm an actress. The police is after me". "Why? You act as bad as all that?" More reason why we love Gordon.

[@1LSWilliam]

For those who mind, this actress poses in tens of scenes in so many different provacative ways as to be enexcelled for the time. Startling!

[@philipfreeman818]

Nice to have a film set in Wales and some Welch being sung and spoken as I am from Wales so da iawn /very good

[@richardwoolley7854]

"These skinny bits from London!"

[@altheadickerson4771]

So many one- liners In this movie, it would be too laborious a task to name them all !!!😉😊

[@williamr3840]

Lumee... What a film!

[@richardspeed7135]

Bloody good film ,

[@jstearns918]

Wow - Michael Powell directed!

[@charliedontsurf70]

What a wonderful gem! this has it all! atmosphere-action-drama-sex appeal-a splash of comedy, streets ahead of the american fair of the time!

[@silverscreenclassics9210]

So glad you enjoyed it! Don't forget to share it! Best regards!

[@allenkracalik7662]

"Ahead of the American fare (not fair) of the time?" Like The Bride of Frankenstein, for instance? I don't think so!

[@flowgap63]

@@allenkracalik7662 I think there is a middle ground here. Technically in the 30s the US movie was streets ahead but I think the British product was under-rated (mainly by themselves). Hollywood were well aware of British talent with the advent of the talkie and made full use of it.

[@mtsenskmtsensk5113]

@@allenkracalik7662 There was a good cinema audience in the UK at the time, and so the British film output was quite reasonable for the time. If the British were ahead in the odd quality films like 'The 39 steps', America will have filmed 1000 films in the same timeframe. The British film output was very small compared to America to make worthwhile comparisons. Technically, I would compare Frankenstein as similar in quality to 'Sanders of the River', where the film speed, and speech seemed unreliable for whole of the respective films.

[@ymccarty47]

What a wonderful old movie. Beats anything they have today, especially in America

[@leebritnell2405]

A good film from the days when movies like this were made mainly for the domestic market,without one eye being kept on whether America would like it.Domestic cinema attendance was on a high back then,so you could produce a British film about aspects of our life and make a decent profit.Films like this were k own as 'Quota Quickies' made for a government ruling that a percentage of movies shown in the UK had to be completely British product.This was done in an attempt to reduce American domination of the UK box office.

[@MsVanorak]

wish it was still so and that we had an individual culture to display.

[@ergbudster3333]

I'll tell ya what: this is an excellent show.

[@SimonSimon-rn3tm]

Jolly good film; unexpectedly so!

[@yan24to]

Real acting.

[@nancycrayton2738]

I really enjoyed this. I'll look for more films with these actors and director.

[@romaney1]

Michael Powell went on to become one of Britain's finest film directors. "The Red Shoes" is probably his most famous film but check out "A Matter of Life and Death" starring David Niven. It's on KZbin.

[@jonahpeden8770]

Look for the gilms of Powell and Pressburger, they made some of the finest British films of all time. Black Narcissus, The Red Shoes, The Life And Death Of Colonel Blimp, A Matter of Life And Death are merely the jewel in their crown

[@leebritnell2405]

Contraband and The Spy in Black superb Powell/Pressberger films,easily equal in quality to Hitchcock films of the period,imho.

[@flowgap63]

You can see Gordon Barker "the light-keeper" here on KZbin in some very funny detective movies called "Inspector Hornleigh.. "

[@flowgap63]

Harker, silly auto-correct

[@patriciamelton6810]

Love Gordon Harker!!!

[@kathleenmckeithen118]

Excellent!!! Thank you for showing it!!!

[@lesliehatton1493]

Wonderful movie.

[@marvwatkins7029]

And the Welch save the day (or in this case, night) once again. Bloody good show, say I.

[@jannyrocks1815]

Loved it thankyou what a great film :-)

[@jandasalovich6469]

Most wonderful time piece.

[@mikeymike3240]

Awesome wee movie, thanks for posting. 👍👍👍👍👍🎩

[@Brett-gg8cs]

Gordon Harker was such an amazing talent! I rank him in my Top 3 Comedic Actors of All-time, with W.C. Fields and Sidney James.

[@markcoveryourassets]

Loved it. Thank you!

[@PqV72MT4]

Fantastic film!

[@eltonej]

Good film I really enjoy Gordon Harker and Binnie Hale thanks for uploading

[@chloescat]

I grew up watching Will Hay- who is also my hero- and discovering Gordon Harker in a leading role in a film is wonderful. I'll forever remember him as Brown Sr in 'Boys Will Be Boys' but I'm so glad he was more than that. Thank you for sharing this wonderful piece! It's 24th December 2019 in Dongying City, Shandong, China as I type this. Merry Christmas to all and for those who don't celebrate Christmas; I wish you a safe, happy and long life!

[@pastorflaps6819]

Hope you had a wonderful Christmas to and I hope you have a very happy new year

[@roringusanda2837]

Well, hello to you in 2023! 🇺🇸I'm having a lovely June and waiting for a tornado warning 😬 do they do much about Christmas in Shandong??

[@chloescat]

Not really and I think the goverment made it illegal. (I may be wrong) Tornados, wouldn't want to be in the path of one of those! 😂 Thanks for the reply. 😊

[@chloescat]

Thanks and you too. Hope you are well. ❤️

[@roringusanda2837]

@@chloescat well, it was very windy, but we didn't get a tornado. I think our weather is a bit strange this year😬

[@stebishopnomad1838]

Absolutely brilliant movie loved it 💯👍🤟😁

[@vixtex]

Michael Powell!

[@jugheadsrule]

The old woman station mistress at the start of the film was based on the real life TAN- Y-BWLCH station mistress Bessie Jones who used to appear in summer in traditional Welsh costume.

[@alfredmartinez6166]

Girl: "I'm going to tell you the truth." Guy: "Oh no you're not." I'm going to add that line to my repertoire.

[@MrBlazeright]

That was on of my favorite parts of this film. But the part I liked even better was when Binnie Hale told Gordon Harker, (for the 4th time), "I'm going to tell you the truth." And he replied" "What, again?"

[@gailfisher3654]

Love Ian Hunter. I wish he were in lots of other movies.

[@keithharvey7230]

He was!!!!!

[@jayam9119]

Excellent film

[@melokc7257]

American and love true old British films.

[@julianbeesley5059]

Blimey what a night!

[@gabrielleschmidt1435]

Very good 👍 movie. Had no clue who the bad guy was going to turn out to be.

[@neilthomas9244]

Loved the portrayal of us Welsh, all called "Owen", dressed funnily, talked weirdly, and acted oddly [well, I'll grant them that].

[@IAmJimRetzer]

Don't forget that classic line in The Old Dark House (1932) where Karloff's - mute - character mutters gibberish and Melvin Douglas comments "Even Welsh ought not to sound like that."

[@billietyree6139]

I'm from the American Midwest, even the English sound strange to me.

[@neilthomas9244]

@@IAmJimRetzer I recall the movie "How Green Was My Valley" [1941]. The range of strange and various accents was heroic. Every time the miners moved in a group, they started singing... just like real life.

[@neilthomas9244]

@@billietyree6139 I'd have thought anyone living in the coastal US would sound strange to you. 😃

[@Dayday888.]

Neil Thomas, My dad was born in Swansea, but moved to Australia in the early 50s. Our last names Thomas. Both my grandparents had welsh accents. I’ve never been over there yet, but it’s on my to do list.

[@staffanlindstrom576]

Binnie Hale is super cute.

[@andyp8471]

With gorgeous pair of legs!

[@staffanlindstrom576]

@@andyp8471 Right.

[@scarygary-qq1pj]

​@@andyp8471Or "gams" back then.🦵

[@wrqnine7675]

Great film! Thanks.

[@StevenTorrey]

I don't care what anyone says--that water and air is awfully cold! A real spell binder!

[@shizukamori6755]

This movie was made in 1935, when women didn't yet go out in public wearing miniskirts or shorts. Many moviegoers probably watched this movie just to get a good look at Ms. Hale's legs.

[@joelonzello4189]

She had great legs 😉

[@scarygary-qq1pj]

That, and her changing clothes scene were pretty much pornography for back then.

[@colinbrigham8253]

Thank you 🤗

[@TSGeorgieGirl]

Could hardly understand half of what they said, but great fun. Who says being a lighthouse keeper is boring? Like old Higgins said, "What a night".

[@sarojinichelliah5500]

I can

[@shirleyjones5530]

love..thank you.

[@twobellz]

Joseph Jefferson Farjeon is an incredible author and I would love to see his books adapted for the modern era.

[@MsVanorak]

i've just come here from 'number 17'.

[@JohnDavies-cn3ro]

Sadly the subtitles (I don't have sound) were all but incoherent but I managed to roughly follow the story. Does anyone know where it was filmed? Tan y Bwilch is a fair way inland from the coast - nice to see the pre-preservation Festiniog railway - and I can't think which port would have PW registration letters on a boat, but the village clearly wasn't a set. Nice to see one of the old time 'pulling' lifeboats too.

[@VictoriaAlfredSmythe]

very good

[@elizabethhollins5988]

"I suppose I better pay before I pop off" lol

[@user-ns7uw6uw4z]

Grate Show ! .

[@ruiseartalcorn]

Great movie! :)

[@imogenbespokesewing2968]

Great fun , thank you x

[@azcowgal5837]

The captions were very interesting at times. 😊

[@shelleymcafee8197]

I enjoyed this film immensely; Thank-You so much for uploading it! I’m always a bit ‘thrown’ when watching British films from the ‘30s, thinking that they must be from the ‘20s - because they look like films made in North America, during that earlier decade. …I’m guessing that Britain was a bit behind due to the much-greater impact of the Wars, which it experienced.

[@MsVanorak]

yes, there wasn't the big budgets but i like that because it forces inventiveness, creativity, exploratory subjects and storylines. due to cost and war we were a long way behind on colour film too but i love the lighting on black and white films - the shapes and shadows. i wish there were a few made nowadays. colour really didn't start coming on tv until the early 1970s.

[@scarygary-qq1pj]

​@@MsVanorakYes, T.V. shows like Star Trek, Gilligan's Island, I Dream of Jeannie, etc. started out in B&W but switched to colour as they became popular enough to make it worth it.

[@MsVanorak]

@@scarygary-qq1pj colour was a lot more expensive to make. there is a famous uk film called 'a matter of life and death' (same director as this film) and it was the first colour they could afford after the war and only part of the film is colour - heaven is in b&w, earth in colour or vice versa.

[@garryferrington811]

London had full-color Gasparcolor by 1936, but British producers didn't take advantage of it.

[@MzuMzu-nx1em]

Those were good times, when the world was in black and white, 😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣🤣

[@philaypeephilippotter6532]

And the original *Festiniog Railway* was still running!

[@MzuMzu-nx1em]

@@Aerin-Lena1 yeah but those accents sounds a bit fake

[@ellingtonhilligas]

It was black and white. The only problem was that the white dominated the black.

[@MzuMzu-nx1em]

@@ellingtonhilligas what about the grey? 🤣😂🤣😂🤣

[@rushmull9789]

Gordon is a damn hoot

[@annimerethenilsen8888]

A very good old film when you sit and wait for your husband to come and get you home! the film was good!😢😢❤😊

[@SailorAllan]

Binnie Hale--pretty short film career , pretty long legs !

[@chirellealanalooney7895]

I think her short film career was because of her high pitched shrill voice. Its almost on the verge of Billie Burkes voice, and that voice makes me want to run and hide !