The Ghost and Mrs. Muir (1947)

In 1900, a young widow finds her seaside cottage is haunted...and forms a unique relationship with the ghost.

Director:

Joseph L. Mankiewicz

Writers:

Philip Dunne (screen play), R.A. Dick (from the novel by)

Stars:

Gene Tierney, Rex Harrison, George Sanders

Nominated for 1 Oscar.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Gene Tierney	...	Lucy Muir
Rex Harrison	...	Capt. Daniel Gregg
George Sanders	...	Miles Fairley
Edna Best	...	Martha Huggins
Vanessa Brown	...	Anna Muir as an Adult
Anna Lee	...	Mrs. Miles Fairley
Robert Coote	...	Mr. Coombe
Natalie Wood	...	Anna Muir as a Child
Isobel Elsom	...	Angelica - Mother-in-law
Victoria Horne	...	Eva - Sister-in-law

Storyline

In 1900, strong-willed widow Lucy Muir goes to live in Gull Cottage by the British seaside, even though it appears to be haunted. Sure enough, that very night she meets the ghost of crusty former owner Captain Gregg...and refuses to be scared off. Indeed, they become friends and allies, after Lucy gets used to the idea of a man's ghost haunting her bedroom. But when a charming live man comes courting, Lucy and the captain must deal with their feelings for each other.

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Plot Keywords:

ghost | captain | seaside | cottage | widow | 

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Taglines:

Is Lucy Muir's love really a ghost, or is it a man of flesh and blood she yearns for?

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Genres:

Drama | Fantasy | Mystery | Romance | Thriller

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

May 1947 (USA)

Also Known As:

L'aventure de Madame Muir

Filming Locations:

Carmel-by-the-Sea, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

104 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The word "muir" means "the sea" in Gaelic. Many times sailors are said to have been "married" to the sea, or that the only woman they ever loved was the sea.

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Goofs

(at around 1h 15 mins) A horse who moments prior was facing the left eating grass is now facing right with its tail up, and manure can be faintly seen excreted from its rear, in perspective of Mrs. Muir's right shoulder. This happens after the ghost says "But be careful, there may be breakers ahead" and Mrs. Muir responds "I will, Daniel" and departs on the unpaved road.

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Quotes

Lucy Muir: Why does he haunt? Was he murdered?
Mr. Coombe: No. He committed suicide.
Lucy Muir: [gasps] I wonder why?
Mr. Coombe: To save someone the trouble of assassinating him, no doubt!

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Connections

Referenced in The Suite Life on Deck: The Ghost and Mr. Martin (2010)

User Reviews

Perhaps the greatest love story of all time

The Ghost and Mrs. Muir was a very original story; The authoress, Josephine Aimee Leslie Campbell was the daughter of a sea captain. The study of the two main characters is very interesting; you have a rather gruff sea captain, who has led a man's life and is proud of it. He makes no excuses for himself; he is a man who takes responsibility for his actions. He is an honest man. Marriage is not for him- although he has two demanding mistresses; his ship and the sea. Mrs. Muir is a true product of her time; she has done what society expects of her; she has married, and bore a child. Her husband is a respected man. She has fulfilled her obligation. We see that Mrs. Muir is more than an average fin de siecle woman. She is deeper; we can see from her brief description of the late Mr. Muir that he was mediocre. From here the love story begins; we see the mutual respect and admiration that Captain Gregg and Mrs. Muir have for eachother.The love is pure and true,on a higher plane; not hindered or comprimised by sexual intimacy.

The Ghost and Mrs. Muir is a love story that like its characters transcends time.