The Ghost Goes West (1935) User Reviews

Haunting!

[Spondonman · 8/10 · 23 January 2005]

One of my all-time favourite British films, this was my 9th viewing and I still think it's marvellous. Frenchman Rene Clair's prints are all over it, a 1930's British film with so much subtlety, wistfulness and originality was ... unique!

Hard up castle owner sells it to American who de-bricks it off to Florida - along with owners' ghostly ancestor. Eugene Palette who only bettered this performance with My Man Godfrey was outstanding throughout, Jean Parker's character as his daughter was a wee bit wishy-washy but she was lovely to look at, and Robert Donat was, as usual, nearly perfect. At this point I have been ordered by my 25 year old daughter to say how gorgeously beautiful he looked - he was a handsome devil to be sure, and you get two for the price of one in GGW. I wonder what kind of films he'd be making nowadays - surely there'd be no character role nice enough! He was so nice in this I even forgive him his Scottish accent lapsing occasionally. There are a few non-laboured sociological points in it too: The generalised commercialism of America, whether crass or not is repeatedly displayed, my favourite bit being Palette's announcement at dinner of the band marching down the stairs playing "traditional Scottish music"!

Not that it matters of course but does anyone know the answer to What's the difference between a thistle in the heather and a kiss in the dark?!

It would be a poorer film without the lush and swelling background music to accompany Murdoch/Donald and Peggy smooching away up on the castle ramparts at night. The atmosphere created in these scenes by the orchestra's romantic strings plus the gleaming and haunting nitrate photography plus the clever and mysterious lighting is literally Out Of This World, and always leaves a deep impression on me. This is one of the few films where watching and therefore listening to the end credits is essential, for the romantically melancholy fade out. If your TV station has butchered those last 5 seconds, complain!

Rene Clair goes English

[raskimono · 8/10 · 23 April 2004]

Genius director Rene clair, he of the early surrealist movement in film who loved to specialize in comedy does one for Arthur Rank in the thirties. Robert Donat is gifted with the dual roles of the ghost and his descendant. The ghost punishment is to haunt the castle of his family until his honor is restored for he died dishonorably, a no-no in the family tradition. Donat also inherits the castle and manges to get an American family to buy the castle without learning of the ghost. The family decides to ship it to America and on its way the ghost appears to the family and its guests starting a tabloid frenzy. There is love to be settled, money to be made and honor to be righted in this smart romantic comedy. There is very little if any of the Rene Clair trademark in this movie and his direction comes across as very British. But no one can ever say a Rene Clair picture has not aged well and the same can be said for this picture where sets, lighting and photography seem very modern. The Ghost goes West was the biggest grossing movie in the UK in 1936 and was successful for UA in the Us as well. Very soon, Rene Clair himself would be off to Hollywood too.

Quite fun.

[planktonrules · 8/10 · 30 May 2016]

"The Ghost Goes West" is a cute movie which is an interesting hybrid. It's directed by the famous French director René Clair, stars the British actor Robert Donat and many of the actors are Americans! It sounds odd...but it all works very well.

The film begins two hundred years ago. Murdock Glourie (Donat) is the son of a noble Scottish lord but he ends up embarrassing himself and losing the family honor when he's supposed to be out acting manly and fighting a war. He ends up getting killed by mistake and his father curses him to roam the family castle until he regains their honor.

Years pass. The family fortune is gone and the castle is a wreck. Donald Glourie (also played by Donat) has a mountain of debts and he and his creditors see no escaping it...until some goofy Americans with more money than common sense see the place and decide to buy it! Oddly, while Donald tries to keep the family out of the castle after midnight (when the ghost appears each night), the daughter (Jean Parker) sees the ghost and thinks it's Donald...and she thinks this version of 'Donald' is pretty sexy! Regardless, the goofy father (Eugene Palette) decides to move the castle, stone by stone, to Florida....and he invites over a bunch of rich swells to see the castle AND the ghost. What's next? See the film.

This is a cute film with a nice comedic touch and a touch of romance. While it's all very slight, it's handled well by Clair and the film is a delightful outing. Well worth seeing.

The Ghost Delights

[smithy-8 · 18 November 2003]

"The Ghost Goes West" is Robert Donat's only and best romantic comedy. Mr. Donat only made nineteen movies - they were dramas or light dramas. This movie is hysterical. It helps to have Eugene Pallette play the father of the girl (Jean Parker) that Donat's character loves. Mr. Donat plays two roles - Murdock Glourie (the ghost) and Donald Glourie (the current proprietor of the Scottish castle).

This was Eugene Pallette's first great speaking role. The other great roles he played were in: "My Man Godfrey", "Robin Hood", "Zorro", "Mr. Smith Goes To Washington", "The Lady Eve", and "Heaven Can Wait."

It is fun to watch the unknown cast - most of them did not continue working in the 1940's and so on. Only Donat, Parker, and Pallette were lucky to continue working. Ms. Parker is still alive and living comfortably at the Motion Picture Country Home in Woodland Hills, CA.

Double Donat

[utgard14 · 6/10 · 27 July 2014]

Scotsman Murdoch Glourie (Robert Donat) dies a coward in a battle with the rival MacLaggan clan. Murdoch is forced to haunt the family castle until he can get a MacLaggan to admit that one Glourie is worth fifty MacLaggans. Two hundred years later, his descendant Donald Glourie (also played by Donat) has to sell the castle to pay off debts. Pretty American Peggie Martin (Jean Parker) convinces her wealthy father to buy the castle and ship it, stone by stone, to the U.S.

Enjoyable British romantic comedy with a good cast and pleasant tone. Robert Donat shines in dual roles. Jean Parker is adorable and likable. Eugene Palette is always a treat. The rest of the cast is mostly made up of Brits and are fun to watch. While I do like it, I admit it drags some in the middle after a strong start. It finishes nicely though.

Donat's moment in the glenn

[vampire_hounddog · 7/10 · 28 July 2020]

The ghost of an 18th century Scottish Glourie (Robert Donat) is cursed to walk within the walls of the castle following being shamed by a rival clan. In the 20th century an American food magnate (Eugene Pallette) decides to buy the castle when it comes on the market and transport and ship the castle brick by brick to Florida, USA, ghost and all.

An interesting satire from producer Alexander Korda as he and French director René Clair demonstrate the vulgarity of American consumerism. Written by Robert E. Sherwood and Geoffrey Kerr, the script is bang on the mark, although both Korda and Clair's visions sadly differed. Donat is superb in the dual role as 20th century Glourie and the tartan clad ghost in one of his best roles in one of his best years, but there is a sense that the film could have been so much better and a masterpiece which it just falls short of being. It also suffers from mostly being set bound with some dreadful modelling work.

A lovely, warm hearted, escapist experience.

[avfcaira · 9/10 · 23 February 2005]

I first saw this film as a child on TV in Australia round 1973 - at which time it was already a very old film and I was only 7 years old.

I guess the fact I'm now 38 and writing about it means it stuck in my mind rather strongly.

I wanted for years and years to see it again and finally did in around 2000 - 27 years later. The childhood magic was still there.

Donat is wonderful. The whole story - escapist, romantic, spooky, fun and historically rich in yes - we know a rather fantasised way.

This is a feel-good film. Films similar to this are being made now - often called 'chick flick's and suchlike, but basically, what is wrong with a movie that makes you feel good? Not really deep, not really cerebral, but magical, funny, heartfelt, and a true escapist experience from our current modern lives,

Absorbing, fun and lovely.

Watch and Enjoy!

Fun Fantastic Farce

[Cineanalyst · 7/10 · 29 October 2018]

French director René Clair's go at an English-language haunted castle comedy, "The Ghost Goes West," is a delight. I've reviewed several spooky house horror comedies recently, and it's nice to see a place that's actually occupied by a ghost for a change, instead of the whodunit murder mysteries of "The Bat" (1926), "The Cat and the Canary" (1927) and their ilk. The story is pure goofiness. The mockery of Scots as blustering clansmen and Americans as dim-witted robber barons might've been offensive had the satire been blistering, but everything is exaggerated to such absurdity that it's quite funny. Plus, some of the visual effects and style for depicting the ghost impress.

Occupants of the Scottish castle, the father and son of the Glourie clan die on the same day, leaving the younger in a state of limbo, cursed to haunt the castle as a ghost under the guidance of his father's voice until he can avenge the family honor he disgraced in life at the hands of a rival clan. 200-odd years later, the last of the Glourie line (Robert Donat, also as the ghost, in dual roles), to settle his debts, sells the castle to a rich American family, for whom, he also has affections for the daughter, of course. The castle, ghost included, is, then, transported across the Atlantic to Florida, where the spirit is exploited to advertise the Americans' business. Fortunately, frog-voiced Eugene Pallette, one of classic Hollywood's finest comic character actors, plays the American family's patriarch. One of the best gags is when Pallette claims an African-American jazz band playing jazz as real Scots music. Among the decent cast, Elsa Lanchester (whose husband Charles Laughton would appear in the similar "The Canterville Ghost" (1944)) has a minor amusing part as a psychic party guest, although had Clair been more dynamic in his cutting to closer views, I suspect her comedic talents would've been more apparent here.

Otherwise, the sound is creaky, but the soundtrack overall can't help but be effective with Pallette's voice in the forefront. There's also an amusingly-ridiculous scene of images of the United States Capitol and Westminster Palace where politicians debate phantoms. The ghostly trick effects of superimpositions and stop-substitutions had been introduced to cinema by the likes of Georges Méliès in the 19th century, but they remain charming here, and the multiple-exposure shots for Donat's dual appearances in two-shots are effective. The combination of scenes staged for the film and what appears to be documentary ticker-tape parade footage also works. Another nice trick has the apparition appearing in a mirror, and there's some good moving camerawork even when the spectre is unseen, but which simulates his presence effectively. Slight, but haunting hilarity.

Charming Romantic Fantasy

[Ron Oliver · 10/10 · 31 May 2004]

When a haunted Scottish castle is dismantled and removed to Florida THE GHOST GOES WEST, too.

Made under the auspices of producer Sir Alexander Korda, acclaimed director René Clair & distinguished author Robert E. Sherwood, here is a fine little film--very popular in its day--for thoughtful intellects, about things which go bump in the night. Or, rather, one thing in particular: a kilted phantom doomed to stalk his ancestral castle until his family's honour is avenged--irregardless of the actual physical location of his old stones, or whatever romantic complications may ensue.

Handsome Robert Donat brings just the right amount of sophisticated humor to the dual roles of the ghost and his 20th century descendant. The lovely Jean Parker is splendid as an American rich girl very happy to take the Highlands real estate if Mr. Donat comes along with it. Playing her father, Eugene Palette exhibits both bluster & bemusement as the merchant grocer determined on buying old Glourie Castle, ghost and all.

Morton Selten & Hay Petrie have amusing short roles as clan lairds who are fierce antagonists. The marvelous Elsa Lanchester appears far too briefly at the film's conclusion as a paranormal enthusiast.

Acknowledgment should go to Vincent Korda for his atmospheric sets. And just what is the difference betwixt a thistle in the heather & a kiss in the dark?

Just...... Fun

[boblipton · 7/10 · 29 November 2023]

A couple of centuries ago, Robert Donat failed his father by not killing the head of the opposing clan during a battle with the English. In fact, he failed to show up at the battle at all. So his father cursed him to haunt the family castle until he humiliated the head of the enemy clan. Cut to nowadays -- if you're living in 1935 -- and he's still there. He's also playing the living, last member of the clan. He's broke, so he sells the castle to Eugene Pallette and is in charge of supervising the place's dismantling and...... remantling? .... in America. Oh, he and Pallette's daughter, Jean Parker, are in love, but neither will say anything.

Rene Clair's first English-language movie is a delight, with the director delighting in portrait shots of the Scottish members of the cast, and in slanging American commercial culture. Donat is excellent, Pallette is humorously pompous, and Miss Parker is cute as a button. It's a great popcorn film.

Not your typical ghost movie

[nancyrathke · 5/10 · 25 October 2018]

The Ghost Goes West is occasionally amusing but never attempts to be frightening. The tale of a ghost in which few people believe features good actors and acceptable dialog, but the story eventually devolves into a commercial struggle between two wealthy American for ownership of the ghost. Eugene Pallette steals the screen as he usually did, and Elsa Lanchester is decidedly only a bit player.

I hate America, it's worse than the first day of battle!.

[hitchcockthelegend · 8/10 · 25 March 2008]

Have to say I'm mightily surprised to see some users here state this film is purely escapist entertainment, nothing more, nothing less. Since it ignites its comedy heart with a satirical flame, I do feel that the jovial nature of the beast has meant that the tongue in cheek nature of René Clair's first English speaking picture has been missed by some.

Murdoch Glourie {Robert Donat} is head of the Glourie clan, during a vociferous argument with the laird of the Maclaggen clan, he is so furious about the besmirching of his family name, he pegs out and dies before correcting the unjust smear on the family name. Switch to the modern day and his descendant Donald {Donat again} is frantically trying to keep the monolithic Glourie castle from collapsing under the weight of financial pressure. Hope springs in the form of love, and the beautiful Peggy Martin {Jean Parker}, but with her comes her ebullient father Joe {Eugene Palette}, and his intention to relocate the castle to Florida. Now this is something that Murdoch's ghost is particularly not happy about, and he promptly sets about haunting everyone in sight whilst the selling point fervour of a Ghost coming to America brings about mirth and intriguing problems.

Yes this film is a fantastical light hearted comedy, but its portrayal of American habits is satirical genius, covering materialistic urges and prodding the ribs of the press, The Ghost Goes West is a truly classic film in the Preston Sturges 1940s mould. What else can you think when you see a press headline stating "Kilted Scottish Phantom Fails To Show"? René Clair was annoyed by the interference from producer Alexander Korda, to the point he thought about taking his name off the credits, he didn't have to worry tho, because the film is still his, and crucially, American audiences took it firmly on the chin and embraced the picture for the delightful nudge nudge romp it is. 8/10

"Och aye, the battle!"

[richardchatten · 6/10 · 17 March 2024]

Korda had long been in thrall to quintessentially British subjects and emboldened by the great success of this earlier piece of Scots fantasy (whose frequent use of models emphasised its whimsical nature), he later took a bath on 'Bonnie Prince Charlie'.

True to form most of the production personnel came from Hollywood and from the continent (notably Rene Clair in his first English language production), although in the small part of the fearsome McLaggan Hay Petrie actually gets to plays a bona ride Scotsman for a change.

Since the title role was originally written with Charles Laughton in mind that presumably accounts for a fleeting appearance by Elsa Lanchester.

Genteel supernatural hijinks

[Leofwine_draca · 5/10 · 15 August 2018]

THE GHOST GOES WEST is one of those genteel supernatural comedies that Hollywood and Britain were so fond of making back in the day. A lot of its charm comes from the presence of Robert Donat in the cast, playing a friendly ghost who finds himself transported to Florida when his ancestral Scottish castle is literally shipped, brick by brick, to America. Dated shenanigans ensue in this quiet character piece, with an emphasis on character comedy and amusingly offbeat hijinks. Donat is a delight and matched by the equally delightful Elsa Lanchester who has a moderately large role.

Gentle Comedy

[GManfred · 16 June 2016]

In the midst of the "screwball comedy" fad in 30's Hollywood comes a British comedy of a different stripe. "The Ghost Goes West" is subtler than American audiences of the 30's were becoming used to and probably did not register with them as a result. It's a gentle comedy that grows on you, with hints of humor that warms rather than overpowers.

It stars one of the best, Robert Donat, who left us too soon. He was fresh off his success in "The Thirty-Nine Steps" and is seen here in a dual role as Donald Glourie, pennyless heir to Glourie Castle, and as his ancestor, Murdoch Glourie, a womanizer and not the warrior his father wanted. He is ably supported by lovely Jean Parker, and by Eugene Palette as her father and new owner of the castle.

It is well worth your time as an interesting and rewarding example of a different type of humor than we have become used to on this side of the Atlantic.

fun premise.. the ghost goes with the castle

[ksf-2 · 7/10 · 10 August 2021]

When they move an entire, 600 year old castle to the united states, the old, cursed ghost (Robert Donat) that died still haunts the abode at the new location. Some silliness over a feud between two scottish families first! Co-stars the Martin family..daughter (Jean Parker), and dad (Eugene Pallette), who buy the castle. Pallette was very outspoken on certain things... if you take the time to read his story on wikipedia dot com. He was not nice. It's fun, and silly, and moves right along. Not too deep a story, but it keeps one occupied. Directed by frenchman rene clair. He also did Christie's And Then there were None. Ghost Goes West is based on the tale by Eric Keown. Donat died young at 53, from a brain tumor. Although he did win an oscar for Goodbye Mr. Chips.

Fairy Tale With Charm

[rmax304823 · 6/10 · 17 October 2014]

The Laird of Glourie Castle dies in battle in 1747 and is doomed to haunt the castle at midnight until he restores the clan's honor by humiliating a member of the rival clan, the MacClaggans. Centuries pass; the ghost (Donat) shows up on time, bored; the castle falls into desuetude; the current penniless owner (also Donat) manages to sell the castle to an American millionaire (Pallet) and his pretty daughter (Parker), who import it brick by brick to Florida to promote his brand of "fine foods." Both Donat the owner and Donat the ghost go with the castle but the Americans don't find out about it until too late. The living Donat falls for the daughter and vice versa, but the ghostly Donat has an eye for pretty girls too. There follows confusion, mixed identities, and a final laying of the ghost. That is, the ghost goes away for good.

It's a relaxing, enjoyable, light-hearted fable about ghosts and romance and the social world of 1936. I'd have enjoyed it as no more than that when I was a kid. Now that I am an adult, and a bit more, I take up that glass and see things through it darkly again.

Well, not really "darkly." Just that there now seems to be an ill-hidden message behind the whiz-bang pageantry. I don't know how America ever came to acquire a reputation for wealth during the dog days of the Great Depression. Life for most in the USA was as bitter as it was for anyone, anywhere else. The myth of American opulence may have been started by the movies. People watched Fred and Ginger waltz around in wedding-cake settings wearing evening dress and ballroom gowns.

And here is a vulgar American millionaire -- Eugene Pallet, whose voice sounds like Grendel growling from the back of his cave. He's a likable enough figure but stupid and tasteless. A full suit of medieval armor that comes with the castle is turned into a radio. It's like one of those table lamps in the shape of Venus de Milo with a clock embedded in her belly.

In George Orwell's frightening essays in "Down and Out in Paris and London," he meets some American tourists who are loud and full of self display while Orwell himself joins the ranks of those who are literally starving to death. He's quite open about his hatred.

None of that detracts from the fey quality of this romantic comedy/ ghost story. It's a lot of fun. The performances are up to par. I wish the castle had had more atmosphere than it does. Clair's set designer was to bring far more atmosphere to the lodgings on the island in "And Then There Were None." The adults will find this diverting and the kids may get a kick out of the ghost and the mixed identity theme.

Very funny Ghost-story

[RIO-15 · 8/10 · 4 April 2001]

A Scottish nobleman in the 18th century gets accidentally killed after his family name had been insulted by another family clan.Until he can redeem his family's honor he must remain a ghost in his castle.Two centuries later his ancestor sells the castle to an American businessman,who moves it to the States stone by stone.The Ghost follows....

A very funny movie fantasy with a charming performance by Robert Donat in a dual role.Eugene Pallette as the american businessman turns in a hysterically funny performance.The contrast between Scots and Americans are used for maximum effect.

Rating:**** out of *****

weird quirky premise

[SnoopyStyle · 7/10 · 27 November 2023]

In 18th century Scotland, womanizing Murdoch Glourie (Robert Donat) is ordered by his family patriarch father to go fight the McLaggan clan. They have to delay the battle against the English to take care of this matter of honor. A cannonball ends Murdoch's life and he becomes the ghost in his family castle. In modern day, American Peggy Martin (Jean Parker) convinces her father (Eugene Pallette) to buy the Scottish castle and ship it back to Florida stone by stone.

This is a quirky fun premise. Robert Donat is great at this type of character. It would be more fun if the comedy is a bit broader. I actually didn't expect the movie going to some places. This is a weird movie. I can imagine it being remade with a few changes. I would definitely make Peggy a bigger character with an it girl actress.

A Scottish Canterville Ghost Story

[theowinthrop · 10/10 · 8 August 2006]

Robert Donat was capable of being a humorous actor - in THE THIRTY NINE STEPS he does the impromptu campaign speech for a man he knows nothing about, introducing the character as "McCrockodile" because he can't see the man's name upside down, and then recouping his error by saying that is the candidate's nickname in Parliamentary circles. In THE ADVENTURES OF TARTU he plays an overly eccentric Iron Guardist (Roumanian fascist) in Nazi Germany, who annoys his hosts by his antics. But in his film career most of his films were serious ones. He was a great serious actor and his fans (who exist to this day) are not upset that he rarely was frivolous. Ironically his one chance to demonstrate comedy (outside the current movie I am reviewing) was never shot with him due to his asthmatic condition: he was supposed to play Will Mossop in HOBSON'S CHOICE, opposite his old film associate Charles Laughton, but instead his role was played by John Mills.

THE GHOST GOES WILD is about a family ghost that has to redeem himself over 190 years after he disgraced his family. Murdoch Glourie (on the surface) resembles James Durie in THE MASTER OF BALLENTRAE. He is a carefree son of a laird (Morton Selden - known as "the Glourie") who is usually romancing the local girls more than making his father proud. The difference, of course, is that James Durie is far more cynical and selfish in the Stevenson story than poor Murdoch. It is 1746, and the Glourie (like all good highlanders) has gone out to support Bonnie Prince Charlie. He calls for his son Murdoch to likewise come, and do his duty. Murdoch is not too thrilled about this, but actually does show up (unlike James Durie, who pretended to show up). He tries to be martial and brave, but the sons of a rival highland chief humiliate him, and in running away to hide, poor Murdoch gets blown up. Before his father dies of a broken heart, he puts a curse on the spirit of his son. Later we hear that the spirit of the father has partly forgiven the ghost of Murdoch, but he insists that Murdoch will ne'er find true peace until he demonstrates his real spirit, and humiliates the descendants of the rival laird.

Generations pass, and the current owner of the castle is Donald Glourie. He is not a rich laird (as his family supported the losing side in 1746 they are lucky they were left with the pittance of their estate that they still have). However, the castle attracts the attention of wealthy American Mr. Martin (Eugene Palette), who is interested in buying it and moving it to America. Donald is willing but he has to tell Murdoch, who is the resident ghost. Murdoch is not too happy, although (like Donald) he is attracted to Peggy Martin (Jean Parker), the daughter of the new owner.

The film shows how the castle is taken apart and moved to the Florida estate of Mr. Martin, exciting the envy of a rival millionaire Ed Bigelow (Ralph Bunker). Bigelow is determined to wreck the happiness and boasting of Martin about his owning the castle (with it's own ghost) and of his daughter's impending marriage to Donald. And in setting up the planned debunking of the story of the ghost in the castle, Bigelow unwittingly sets up the situation for Murdoch's own redemption.

The film is quite amusing, especially as Murdoch discovers that 20th Century America is quite as frightening to him as the Highland army camp of 1746. But he does try to overcome his fears - and in the conclusion definitely succeeds just when it is needed.

The story does bear comparison to Oscar Wilde's THE CANTERVILLE GHOST, with a coward who is cursed by his father but redeems himself at the end. The performances of Donat, Palette, Selden (splendid as ever), Parker, and Bunker are all quite good: Donat, in particular, playing two roles - one a fantastic type of character - with their own differences in personality and viewpoints (Donald being more willing to consider the positive side of the castle sale than poor tradition bound Murdoch). The parts of the film work quite well together, fantasy balancing nicely with modern satire on oneupmanship and social prestige.

How true was this type of thing? Well, one finds it was true. If you visit William Randolph Hearst's San Simeon in California, you will be told of how portions of castles were purchased by Hearst in his European travels and used in building his American palace. Other millionaires did the same thing. It was conspicuous consumption, but given the damage to castles and palaces in Europe in two world wars, such spending habits actually were beneficial for preserving these structures. Whether actual ghosts were brought over too I could not say one way or another.

*1/2*

[edwagreen · 1/10 · 30 May 2016]

Positively miserable 1935 film. At least, now we know that Robert Donat was in for far better pictures such as The Citadel, Goodbye, Mr. Chips and The Inn of the 6th Happiness.

Having died a coward the same day that his father died from the infirmities of old age, Donat is condemned by the latter to haunt the castle where they lived since he did not get even with an opposing family before going to battle for Scotland in a war against England.

Fast forward, 200 years later and Donat appears as an ancestor whose remaining family is anxious to get rid of the house and the "ghost" who haunts it. A fine maiden appears anxious to purchase the castle and when she does, her father announces plans to build a replica of the castle in America.

The film is devoted to the ghost appearing and not appearing at certain times.

This was putrid, poor junk at its worst.

DEELIGHTFUL!

[artzau · 9/10 · 12 May 2004]

Robert Donat and Jean Parker...and Eugene Pallett (whose voice was once described like a semi hauling logs driving down a gravel road). Hey, isn't that enough to get you to see it? Add an amusing story of a young Scottish Laird fending off a businessman who wants to buy his castle and a ghost cursed to salvage his family name, romantic intrigues and you have fun, fun, fun. I remember seeing this film as a kid (hey, it was old even then!) and going back to the old Crystal theater to see it again and again. I've heard rumors that a video exists obtainable through a buyer in Canada but if it crosses your screen on the late show, DON'T MISS IT!

Never ceases to totally charm me

[alfuso · 10/10 · 9 October 2009]

I first saw this film one afternoon some 50 or more years ago. I've seen it several times since, even have it on tape from the last time it was aired. Having a DVD is divine.

The camera work is stunning. I love the way B&W was handled in 30's films. There's a warm feeling to it. Night scenes that are back lit, side lit or a small warm spot on eyes. In order to "hide" Murdoch's face, we often see it in shadow with a hint of side light. Beautiful lighting on a beautiful man. Even the miniatures are good given the era.

I was especially taken that Murdoch first shows up in traditional trousers (which turn into regular kilts when he pushes through a hedge. Scotland has some hungry hedges)

I'm a pushover for a man in dress kilts. . .

Donat owns this film as Murdoch the Ghost and Donald his descendant. I've been in love with Murdoch for over 50 years and his magic has only intensified.

As for the riddle: there is no answer and that's the whole point.

The Rene Clair Touch

[bkoganbing · 8/10 · 3 January 2008]

In this very delightful fantasy, a joint Anglo-American production with Alexander Korda doing it in the United Kingdom and it being partnered by Samuel Goldwyn over on this side of the pond, Robert Donat gets to do two of his best characterizations. Donat plays a 20th century Scot's Laird, forced to sell the family ancestral castle to pay some bills. Along with the castle a ghost goes with it, also played by Donat.

A brief prologue gives us the reason why Donat is haunting the place. He showed up late for a battle with the invading redcoats and his father Morton Selten puts a curse on him. He's to be earth bound until he makes some guy from the rival clan do a little crawling to him in response to the ragging Selten has taken from this other crowd.

So Donat the ghost has been haunting the family digs for about 200 years plus and his descendant is looking to sell the place. American food tycoon Eugene Palette wants to buy it and Mr. Palette has a lovely daughter in Jean Parker who Donat finds attractive. The castle is taken apart, stone by stone, to be reassembled in Florida and of course The Ghost Goes West with it.

If there's a Lubitsch touch for comedy, there's certainly a Rene Clair touch for fantasy. The Ghost Goes West is really a delightful film with Donat's dual performance stealing the show. It's as light and airy as other Clair English language masterpieces as I Married A Witch and It Happened Tomorrow. Do not miss it if it is ever broadcast and it's an indisputable part of any projected Robert Donat film festival.

A delightful sitting room comedy

[happychick-52014 · 10/10 · 19 November 2016]

This is sitting room comedy, meaning that most of the scenes could easily be performed as a stage play. The focus is on the dialogue and character acting, neither of which disappoint. A light hearted comedy with plenty of funny costumes and silly characters.

Now tell me m'lady "what is the difference between a thistle in the heather and a kiss in the dark?". The handsome Murdoch Glourie is too smooth for his own good and misses the battle due to his chronic flirting. He does eventually show-up after dallying with a shepherdess, only to be killed by his fathers enemies. He is cursed to haunt his father's castle until he can find someone from the opposite clan who will admit defeat and break the curse.

A century later Donald Glourie, decedent of the Glourie clan, sells the castle to an American for relocation…. A delightful romantic farce ensues as both Murdoch and Donald flirt with the rich American's daughter. A lovely sporty lady in a sporty little car.