four unhappy woman leave dreary london to spend an enchanted april in a castle on the coast of italy . elizabeth von arnim novel come alive in this charming little film which beautifully demonstrate the virtue of a literate script and ensemble acting . all the element come together to produce a movie that and although nearly forget now and still produce a feeling of appreciation at the story appropriate resolution . the actress each acquit themselves splendidly . ann harding be the free spirited wife longing for wisteria and tranquillity far from foggy london . katharine alexander play the quiet housewife wish for the elegant responsibility of act a hostess in the castle . jane baxter be the beautiful young noblewoman temporarily escape from her throng of male admirer . jessie ralph steal every scene she in a an old lady want only to be alone with her memory of the past . the men in the story be also well cast . a miss harding husband and frank morgan have a rather complex role a a mousy researcher who have a disturbing personality change when he become a successful writer . reginald owen and a miss alexander spouse and be marvelously pompous a a man well equip to bore for england ( his hilarious attempt to take an english bath in an italian bathtub be make even funnier with the assistance of charles judels and rafaela ottiano a the castle harry servant ) . finally and ralph forbes and one of the decade fine forgotten actor and be joyously eccentric a the lady lighthearted landlord . movie maven will recognize an uncredited ethel griffies play the proprietress of the hampstead housewives club .