Candleshoe facts for kids

Candleshoe is an exciting live-action movie from Walt Disney Productions, released in 1977. It's a fun adventure film with a mystery at its heart. The story is loosely based on the book Christmas at Candleshoe by Michael Innes.

The movie stars some famous actors. Jodie Foster plays the main character, Casey Brown. Helen Hayes is Lady St. Edmund, and this was her last movie role. David Niven plays Priory, a clever butler, and also two other characters. Leo McKern plays the villain, Harry Bundage.

What is Candleshoe About?

The story begins in Los Angeles, California. A young girl named Casey Brown lives there. She is a bit of a tomboy and gets into trouble sometimes. Casey is an orphan, meaning she doesn't have parents.

One day, a sneaky man named Harry Bundage finds Casey. He tells her that she might be the long-lost granddaughter of a rich English lady. This lady is Lady St. Edmund, who lives in a grand old mansion called Candleshoe.

Harry wants Casey to pretend to be Lady St. Edmund's granddaughter. His real plan is to help him find a hidden treasure. This treasure is supposedly hidden somewhere inside the Candleshoe estate.

Casey travels to England and meets Lady St. Edmund. The old lady is very kind but also a bit eccentric. She lives with her loyal butler, Priory, and a group of adopted children.

Casey starts to like Lady St. Edmund and the other children. She feels bad about tricking them. She also discovers that Priory is not just a butler. He is secretly pretending to be other people to protect Lady St. Edmund.

The movie becomes a race against time. Casey, Priory, and the children try to find the treasure before Harry Bundage does. They follow clues left by Lady St. Edmund's ancestors. These clues are hidden in poems and riddles.

The treasure hunt leads them all over the mansion and its grounds. They face many challenges and funny situations. In the end, they must protect Candleshoe and its secrets from Harry Bundage and his helpers.

Meet the Characters

The movie has many memorable characters. Each one plays an important part in the adventure.

Casey Brown: The Young Heroine

Casey Brown is a spirited girl from America. She is tough and resourceful. She learns to care deeply for Lady St. Edmund. Casey uses her street smarts to help solve the mystery.

Lady St. Edmund: The Grand Dame

Lady St. Edmund is an elderly English aristocrat. She is kind-hearted but also a bit forgetful. She loves her home, Candleshoe, and the children she has taken in. She believes her long-lost granddaughter will return.

Priory: The Clever Butler

Priory is Lady St. Edmund's loyal butler. He is very clever and protective. He pretends to be different people to keep Lady St. Edmund safe. He also helps manage the household.

Harry Bundage: The Villain

Harry Bundage is the main bad guy. He is greedy and wants to find the treasure at Candleshoe. He tricks Casey into helping him. He will stop at nothing to get his hands on the hidden riches.

Where Was it Filmed?

The beautiful mansion in the movie, Candleshoe, is a real place. It is called Compton Wynyates. This historic country house is located in Warwickshire, England.

The filmmakers used Compton Wynyates for many of the outdoor and indoor scenes. Its old-fashioned look and grand rooms were perfect for the story. The house itself almost feels like a character in the movie.

Fun Facts About the Movie

• The movie was filmed in England.
• It was one of the last films for actress Helen Hayes.
• David Niven played three different roles in the movie. He was Priory, Colonel Dennis, and Mr. Gipping.
• The film mixes adventure, comedy, and mystery.
• It is a classic Disney family film from the 1970s.

Images for kids

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  Compton Wynyates, the main filming location.