Casper (1995)

A paranormal expert and his daughter bunk in an abandoned house populated by 3 mischievous ghosts and one friendly one.

Director:

Brad Silberling

Writers:

Joseph Oriolo (characters), Sherri Stoner,

Stars:

Cathy Moriarty, Eric Idle, Bill Pullman

4 wins & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Chauncey Leopardi	...	Nicky
Spencer Vrooman	...	Andreas
Malachi Pearson	...	Casper (McFadden) (voice)
Cathy Moriarty	...	Carrigan Crittenden
Eric Idle	...	Paul 'Dibbs' Plutzker
Ben Stein	...	Mr. Rugg
Don Novello	...	Father Guido Sarducci
Fred Rogers	...	Mr. Rogers (as Mr. Rogers)
Terry Murphy	...	Herself ('Hard Copy')
Bill Pullman	...	Dr. James Harvey
Christina Ricci	...	Kathleen 'Kat' Harvey
Ernestine Mercer	...	Harvey Patient Being Interviewed
Doug Bruckner	...	Reporter (voice) (as Douglas J.O. Bruckner)
Joe Nipote	...	Stretch (voice)
Joe Alaskey	...	Stinkie (voice)

Storyline

Furious that her late father only willed her his gloomy-looking mansion rather than his millions, Carrigan Crittenden is ready to burn the place to the ground when she discovers a map to a treasure hidden in the house. But when she enters the rickety mansion to seek her claim, she is frightened away by a wicked wave of ghosts. Determined to get her hands on this hidden fortune, she hires afterlife therapist Dr. James Harvey to exorcise the ghosts from the mansion. Harvey and his daughter Kat move in, and soon Kat meets Casper, the ghost of a young boy who's "the friendliest ghost you know." But not so friendly are Casper's uncles--Stretch, Fatso and Stinkie--who are determined to drive all "fleshies" away. Ultimately, it is up to Harvey and Kat to help the ghosts cross over to the other side.

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Plot Keywords:

ghost | mansion | casper | breakfast machine | friendship | 

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Taglines:

Haunting Season Opens May 26th

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Genres:

Comedy | Family | Fantasy

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for mild language and thematic elements

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 May 1995 (USA)

Also Known As:

Casper, to fantasmataki

Filming Locations:

Colonial Mansion, Backlot, Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$50,000,000 (estimated)

Gross:

£14,445,093 (UK) (15 September 1995)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures, Amblin Entertainment, Harvey Entertainment Company, The

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

For the scene where Casper drags Kat out the window and then takes her to the lighthouse, Christina Ricci had a piece of fishing line tied to her wrist to give the appearance of been pulled by a ghost.

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Goofs

When Kat picks up a newspaper clipping in the attic, she isn't wearing a watch. It appears soon after.

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Quotes

Fatso: [Dr. Harvey is sucking up all three ghosts in the vacuum] This s... sucks!

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Crazy Credits

Early during the end credits, Stretch (doing his Little Richard imitation) bursts through the credits, singing.

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Connections

Referenced in The Spooktacular New Adventures of Casper: Spook, Lies and Videotape/Ghostfather (1996)

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Soundtracks

"Casper The Friendly Ghost"
Written by Mack David and Jerry Livingston
Performed by Little Richard
Produced by Richie Zito and Little Richard
Arranged by Richie Zito

User Reviews

Great Movie With Various Perspectives

After reading the comments, I see most people enjoy this movie with a few picking it over nothing (e.g. not an accurate portrait of ghost?). I first saw the movie in my preteen. It was a fun & 'cute' movie, highly entertaining with the trio & treasure hunting & stuff.

As I grew older & revisit this movie, I see more 'layers' of the movie other than a 'kiddie ghost story'. Dr. Harvey (Bill Pullman, excellent as usual) is having a hard time dealing with the death of his wife, & Kat (Ricci, a great break from the cool-headed Wednesday Adams) is having a hard time adjusting her father's constant move as well as grieving her mother on her own. Then, there is Casper grieving his own death as well as his father's death. And then there is Carrigan's mourning her father... not leaving her all the riches. Then there is Casper's heroic act (go see the movie, it's one of the most touching moment), Dr. Harvey's reunion, etc. etc.

From a child's point of view, it's pure entertainment. From an art lover's point of view, you have to awe at the special effect & sets. From an audience seeking emotional outlet, well, bring in an extra box of kleenex. It's a very touching, warm-hearted, humorous, sweet little movie about a friendly ghost named Casper.

Just a side note, it is quite interesting to watch Addams' Family & Casper & Sleepy Hollow & see Christina Ricci grow from the eccentric Wednesday Addams to a regular teenager Kat Harvey to a beautiful young lady Katrina Van Tessel.