I have to agree with the consensus here that this a comic gem of its type. In its depiction of Irish country life it reminded me a lot of "The Quiet Man," right down to Barry Fitzgerald playing essentially the same character as in that flick, though its production values are not as high and it does not achieve the exalted rank John Ford attained with that movie. Still it's a sparkling comedy with a lot of cracklingly excellent dialogue. The viewer who commented that Niven shows his "dark side" is a bit off the mark, as this is hardly a movie about character development and Niven's character is basically a cartoon, very reminiscent of his Phileas Fogg in "Around the World in 80 Days." He may be nasty but it's hard to dislike him entirely. Yvonne deCarlo does excellent work here. She's great with accents; she's as convincing as an Irish woman here as she was as an Algerian in "The Captain's Paradise." Though the movie is not an Ealing Studios production, it has all the hallmarks of the best of that great studio's comedies in the post-WWII period. Be sure to catch this if you get the chance (thanks, TCM!).

Watching Happy Ever especially with Barry Fitzgerald as one of the colorful Irish villagers I couldn't help think that to really put this comedy over you needed the touch of John Ford, Perhaps a few of the faces of the Abbey Theater players as well.

A.E. Matthews is the local squire in his part of Ireland and a most indulgent fellow is he. So indulgent that most of his tenants owe him a lot of money. But he's let it slide.

Now however he's gone and died and his heir David Niven wants everyone to cough up what they owe because he's planning to sell the estate. The villagers want to kill him. All but Yvonne DeCarlo who sees Niven as a way of escape from a dreary life.

Happily Ever After is sadly one of those films where the fabled charm of David Niven has too big a burden to carry with this film. The film has some good moments, but they're few and far between.

David Niven's fans should like this, others I'm not sure.

Taking a look at lead actress Yvonne De Carlo's IMDb page whilst searching round for titles to view for an upcoming poll on IMDb's Classic Film board for the best titles of 1954,I was delighted to find out that De Carlo had made a Comedy that year,which led to me getting ready to find out how happy things could be.

The plot:

Since having placed him at the centre of their lives,the towns folk of a small Irish village are saddened to witness wealthy 82 year old landowner General O'Leary die on his death bed.One of the main things that the residences instantly start to miss about O'Leary,is that thanks to his old age,he was more than happy to buy everyone a drink,and to also let anyone go on his hunting estate for free.

With news of O'Leary's death spreading across the pond,O'Leary's nephew Jasper decides to leave England behind,and head straight for Ireland.Revealing himself to be much more aware then the General,Jasper announces to the towns folk that he plans to collect all of the debts which the General 'forgot' to pick up from the townsfolk.Feeling terrified about Jasper attempting to stop 'the good old days' the residences decide that the only way they can keep things going,is if they kill jasper.

View on the film:

Despite being filmed in England instead of the Ireland in which it is based in,director Mario Zampi and cinematographer Stanley Pavey give the film a warm,acrylic appearance,which gives the title a delightful slow- burn country atmosphere,and also acts as a perfect isolated location for some unexpected 'ghostly' events which invade the close-knitted town.

Keeping Jasper limited to a rough sketch so as to make him a boo-hiss figure,the screenplay by Jack Davies, Michael Pertwee and L.A.G. Strong reveal the dislike that the residences have for Jasper by superbly combining folk-style sharp one liners with tremendously done slap-stick set pieces,which go from a wire trap completely back firing,to a 'ghost' rising from the grave far too soon.

Whilst he is placed on the side-lines, David Niven gives a great,smirk- heavy performance as the wicked Jasper,as the beautiful Yvonne De Carlo gives the film a graceful note in her performance as Serena McGlusky,with De Carlo showing McGlusky to be in search of her happy ending with Jasper,whilst the towns people search for their happy ending,of Jasper.