IMDb > The Canterville Ghost (1944)
The Canterville Ghost
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

The Canterville Ghost (1944) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 2 | slideshow)

Overview

User Rating:
6.8/10   906 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 2% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers:
Oscar Wilde (story)
Edwin Blum (screenplay)
Contact:
View company contact information for The Canterville Ghost on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
July 1944 (USA) more
Genre:
Plot:
In the 1600s, cowardly Sir Simon of Canterville flees a duel and seeks solace in the family castle.... more | full synopsis
Plot Keywords:
User Comments:
An Entertaining Ghost Story more (23 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Charles Laughton ... Sir Simon de Canterville / The Ghost
Robert Young ... Cuffy Williams
Margaret O'Brien ... Lady Jessica de Canterville
William Gargan ... Sergeant Benson
Reginald Owen ... Lord Canterville
Rags Ragland ... Big Harry (as 'Rags' Ragland)
Una O'Connor ... Mrs. Umney
Donald Stuart ... Sir Valentine Williams
Elisabeth Risdon ... Mrs. Polverdine

Frank Faylen ... Lieutenant Kane
Lumsden Hare ... Mr. Potts
Mike Mazurki ... Metropolus
William Moss ... Hector
Bobby Readick ... Eddie
Marc Cramer ... Bugsy McDougle
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Runtime:
95 min (copyright length)
Country:
Language:
Aspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (Western Electric Sound System)
Certification:
USA:Approved (PCA #9781) | USA:Passed (National Board of Review) | USA:TV-G (TV rating) | Canada:14+ (Ontario) | Australia:G | Finland:K-12 | Sweden:15

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
After 38 days of shooting, director Jules Dassin replaced Norman Z. McLeod. Although a news item stated it was due to a "difference of opinion," many believe it was done on the insistence of Charles Laughton. At the same time, William H. Daniels replaced Robert Planck as director of photography. more
Quotes:
Sir Simon de Canterville: I have roamed these halls for three centuries and I am so tired. If only I could rest... more
Movie Connections:
Soundtrack:
Gertie from Bizerte more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
12 out of 13 people found the following comment useful.
An Entertaining Ghost Story, 26 March 2007
8/10
Author: sddavis63 (revsdd@gmail.com) from Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

The veteran Charles Laughton and a very young Robert Young team up in this entertaining fantasy about the ghost of Simon de Canterville - condemned to haunt the halls of his family's castle until a descendant performs an act of bravery on his behalf. What's the catch? Simon was condemned by his own father for being a coward, and the Canterville line ever since has been a long line of cowards. (The greatest irony of the movie is that Simon has developed a reputation as the most fearsome ghost in all of England!) Finding a hero among this family won't be easy. Then along comes Cuffy Williams (Young), an American soldier whose platoon is billeted in the castle during the lead-up to D-Day. It turns out that Williams is a very distant descendant of the Cantervilles, and D-Day, of course, will provide the ultimate opportunity to show his bravery and to release Simon from his torment. The question is whether he'll be able to work up the courage to do it!

Laughton and Young offer excellent performances, and the very young Margaret O'Brien (who would have been about 7 when this was made) is convincing as Lady Jessica de Canterville. Some of the scenes as the American soldiers try to chase down the ghost to get a picture of him to prove that he exists to their commanding officer are also quite funny. 8/10

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (23 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Canterville Ghost (1944)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Makes me sad... lasums
The Marrying Kind jasonpaul
Vote to have the film released on DVD !! filcruzok
is this the film where............ hulaline
You have the directors backwords. amos5
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
La battaglia di Algeri All Quiet on the Western Front Cross of Iron The Kite Runner Shock
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
IMDb Comedy section IMDb USA section Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.