Candleshoe (1977)

Jodie Foster plays a 1970s version of a Dickensian street urchin helping a Fagin-like crook swindle a rich woman out of her fortune (actually it's finding hidden treasure on her estate) by passing Foster off as her long lost granddaughter. Foster then comes to like her ladyship, a delightful Helen Hayes, and her loyal butler, David Niven, and ends up helping them fend off Leo McKern and his henchmen. This is standard 1970s Disney cornball entertainment along the lines of "The North Avenue Irregulars" or "No Deposit, No Return," but this film get's extra entertainment value by featuring a teenage Jodie Foster and charming performances by Niven and Hayes. Overall, "Candleshoe" is hardly a classic, but it's solid lightweight entertainment that held my interest and also quite entertained my own children.

Casey Brown (Jodie Foster) is a foster kid and hustler in L.A. Con man Harry Bundage entices her to find Captain St. Edmund's treasure which he believes to be buried on the Candleshoe Estate in England. He tries to convince Lady St.Edmund that Casey is her long lost granddaughter. Priory (David Niven) is the butler. Along with four local orphans adopted by the Lady, he tries to maintain the flat-broke estate by scrounging up any extra cash.It's a fine Disney family movie. Jodie Foster is a terrific tough kid as always. She was simply one of the best child actors around. The treasure hunt is really aimed at the little kid level. It is heart-warming with a little bit of humor.

I adore this film. It's silly, kinetic, delightful, and funny. The plot: con-artist Harry Bundage (Leo Mckern) hires an American orphan and lookalike named Casey Brown(Jodie Foster) to go to England and pose as the long-lost granddaughter of Lady St. Edmund (Helen Hayes), who resides in the Candleshoe estate. Harry believes that there's a valuable treasure hidden somewhere within the estate and wants Casey to retrieve it. As Casey grows more attached to the residents of Candleshoe, the question remains, will she betray them or will she have a change of heart and grow to love her newfound family?Jodie Foster is very good in the role of an anarchist tomboy. Her vibrant screen presence makes the film exciting. She's not simply delivering her lines like a lot of child actors but her movements, facial expressions, and eyes do the talking as well. She plays a smart, mature, and tough character. The youngsters who watch the film would probably look up to her as a role model and leader because she stands up against the adult establishment; at times outsmarting them and making them look like bumbling fools. There are other elements kids would identify with as well. For example, the villains are harsh and hostile, and probably similar to how the adult world is seen through kids' eyes. The two seniors at Candleshoe are easy for kids to identify with because they are akin to grandparents. They are amiable, lovable, and adore the company of kids.Many colorful characters are introduced. Some of them are three dimensional and mostly goofy. The shots, action, and images in the film are inventive and amusing, at times are akin to the frames out of a comic book. The story is multifaceted with many plot developments and subplots. The estate, locations, costumes, and sets are elaborate, pristine, and gorgeous.There are minor flaws. By the end of the story, some major questions are never answered. Some plot developments seem contrived and sidetracked. As well, some characters can be better and more thoroughly developed. However, there are enough in-jokes and sophistication that adults will enjoy this film as well. It's a fun and classy family picture.

I watched Candleshoe when ITV screened recently and enjoyed it very much.An American orphan girl is sent to England by a conman and goes to stay at Candleshoe Manor, where some other orphaned children live as well. She makes out to the owner, Lady St Edmond that she is a distant relative but she is really there to look for some treasure that the conman is after. After several adventures, Lady St Edmond finds out about this and the conman and some of his cronies manage to get into Candleshow and a big fight ensures and the police are called and the baddies are arrested. The orphan leaves for America but Lady St Edmond catches up with her at the railway station and makes her make Candleshoe her new home as they have grown rather close to one another.A lot of Candleshow was filmed on location in the Midlands: Warwickshire with the railway scenes being filmed on the Severn Valley Railway.Now to the excellent cast: a young Jodie Foster plays the orphan Casey Brown, David Nivern (who has four roles in this), Leo McKern as the conman and Helen Hayes as Lady St Edmond.Candleshow is a mixture of drama and comedy and is Disney at its best. Great fun.Rating: 3 and a half stars out of 5.