The Enchanted Cottage is one of the most beautiful films of the 1940’s. John Cromwell's direction and a lovely score from Roy Webb give this sensitive and tender RKO film about true love and real beauty the perfect atmosphere. Adapted from a Sir Arthur Pinero play by DeWitt Boden and Herman J. Mankiewicz, it is a film held close to the heart by all who have ever seen it.

It begins at a cocktail party as blind composer John (Herbert Marshall) awaits the arrival of Laura Pennington (Dorothy McGuire) and Oliver Bradford (Robert Young). As they wait, he relates their magical story of love which inspired his latest work. It revolves around a Noblemen’s estate burned to the ground long ago, only a single wing untouched by the flames. Over the centuries, only newlywed couples have stayed there, etching their names in a window. All who have etched their names there have been happy, feeling something special at the cottage. According to Laura, the cottage is not haunted, but rather enchanted.

The chain of happy couples was broken by Mrs. Millet when her husband was killed in WWI, and only when Laura returns to the cottage to work as the maid does she begin to feel the place cottage to life again. For Laura, who is plain and homely, the cottage is a place to belong, somewhere she can live out her dreams of happiness on the inside, beneath her unexciting exterior.

Plans to rent the cottage are made by Oliver and his shallow bride-to-be, but the second World War interrupts and the scarred and disfigured Oliver, shot down over Java, returns alone. John befriends the lonely Laura and the frightened and bitter Oliver, watching them find the beauty beneath the skin as the cottage works its magic once more, and they begin to fall in love. When a miracle occurs they cannot wait to tell their friends and family. To relate the chain of events which follow their decision would ruin the impact of the film’s tremendously moving message about love.

A cast which includes Spring Byington in support is stellar, with leads Robert Young and Dorothy McGuire giving extraordinarily sensitive performances. Their inner angst and loneliness, and their feelings of joy as they are transformed are brought forth in a tender and real manner. Every couple should see this wonderful film together at least once, as a reminder that true love lets us see the more important and real beauty of the heart. ( )

A "homely" spinster, Laura (Dorothy McGuire) and an ex-soldier, Oliver (Robert Young), whose face has been scarred by war, meet at a cottage which has a reputation for enchantment and romance. The pair end up marrying out of loneliness, but the cottage soon works its magic and Laura and Oliver become beautiful to each other. Directed by John Cromwell with a fairy tale atmosphere helped by a longing narrative and a nice look provided by cinematographer Ted Tetzlaff, which verges on the Gothic at times, with its deep focus crumbling castle and swirling mists. The score by Roy Webb helps the otherworldly mood and feel with Dorothy McGuire and Robert Young providing good central performances. Mildred Natwick as housekeeper Mrs Minnett is, however, the most compelling character, still struggling with grief over the loss of her husband in the First World War and providing knowing glances that hint at the supernatural. Although very much a war movie (with a message orientated to the war generation) and very much of its time "The Enchanted Cottage" is still touching, moving and gently romantic fantasy. ( )