Originally written in 1924 and called "A Fable in 3 Acts" by the playwright. Updated to WWII, it is an enchanted story about a spirit-broken war veteran with facial and arm disfigurement (Robert Young) and a slightly homely girl who fall in love. It is hard to make Dorothy McGuire look homely as she is pretty even without makeup, as she initially appears. (This was attempted by stripping her of all makeup, dull dark hair, heavy eyebrows, and an unflattering low camera angle, with an exaggerated lower jaw and chin-line). The cottage is haunted in a good way by past lovers and owned by a mysterious lady, who may be a (good) witch, and is much older than she appears to be. As they gradually fall in love, they both appear more beautiful to each other. Non-romantic people will not like this movie. I suspect that if you like old-fashioned musicals and tales like "Somewhere in Time," you will enjoy it as much as I did! On the AFI list of classic romances, of course. (Only found on TCM and also available on a fine-quality WB DVD-R.)
Review of The Enchanted Cottage
