The Ghost & Mrs. Muir: Pilot (1968)
Season 1, Episode 1
7/10
Moving into Gull Cottage
12 September 2017
Claymore Gregg ("Match Game" panelist Charles Nelson Reilly) nervously walks inside the spooky Gull Cottage at night to speak to a large painting of his great uncle Capt. Daniel Gregg (Edward Mulhare, Devon Miles from "Knight Rider") and announce he has leased the house, inciting trembling, lightning and thunder. Dodging flying objects, he hurriedly states that he is doing it to pay the taxes and save the place. Footprints appear as Claymore is thrown out of the house. On an idyllic day, widowed writer Mrs. Carolyn Muir (Hope Lange) of Philadelphia, her two children Jonathan (Harlen Carraher) and Candace (Kellie Flanagan) and wisecracking housekeeper Martha Grant (familiar disgruntled, rigid character actress Reta Shaw, "Mary Poppins") drive in their station wagon along the picturesque Maine coast. They arrive at the home they've newly leased- overgrown and gloomy Gull Cottage. Mrs. Muir is entranced by the property- looking past it's current condition and overtures to cancel the lease by Mr. Gregg. Capt. Gregg seems to instantly communicate with Jonathan, who handles the experience rather matter-of-factly. The family begins moving in and cleaning the house inside and out. Mrs. Muir is forced to overpay Mr. Peevy (character actor Guy Raymond) to paint inside what he views is a haunted house, but is spooked out by Capt. Gregg. At night, the cocky ghost appears to Mrs. Muir and explains himself. He claims to not be related to Claymore Gregg and says he died by kicking the gas heater off in his bedroom one night. The captain wants the family out and Mrs. Muir gets emotional in saying how they spent all their money to come there and how she felt welcomed by the house. Capt. Gregg says she can stay- on trial. Now, she asks the captain to pack, and when he refuses, the family leaves. Forces take control of the car, however, and things literally start taking a turn.

Based upon the popular novel and 1947 film of the same name, "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir" ran for two seasons (1968-70) as a romantic, supernatural sitcom. The series stars young widowed writer Carolyn Muir (Hope Lange) who has rented Gull Cottage on the seashore year the fictional fishing village of Schooner Bay, Maine with her two children Jonathan (Harlen Carraher) and Candace (Kellie Flanagan), their wisecracking maid Martha Grant (Reta Shaw) and the family Wire Fox Terrier dog Scruffy. Their comically kooky landlord Claymore Gregg (Charles Nelson Reilly) failed to mention that the house is haunted by his 19th century ancestor Captain Daniel Gregg (Edward Mulhare). The poltergeist is very selective to who he will appear to, but soon develops a fondness for Mrs. Muir, a chemistry that became the strength of the show. Lange won the Emmy Award for Lead Actress in a Comedy Series in both seasons.
3 out of 3 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

Recently Viewed