The Ghost Goes West (1935)

A haunted Scottish castle is dismantled and transported to Florida, bringing the family ghost along with it.

Director:

René Clair

Writers:

René Clair, Eric Keown (story "Sir Tristram Goes West")

Stars:

Robert Donat, Jean Parker, Eugene Pallette

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Robert Donat	...	Murdoch Glourie / Donald Glourie
Jean Parker	...	Peggy Martin
Eugene Pallette	...	Mr. Joe Martin
Elsa Lanchester	...	Miss Shepperton
Ralph Bunker	...	Ed L. Bigelow
Patricia Hilliard	...	Shepherdess
Everley Gregg	...	Mrs. Gladys Martin
Morton Selten	...	The Glourie
Chili Bouchier	...	Cleopatra
Mark Daly	...	Murdoch's Groom
Herbert Lomas	...	Fergus
Elliott Mason	...	Mrs. MacNiff
Hay Petrie	...	The McLaggen
Quinton McPherson	...	Mackaye (as Quentin McPhearson)

Storyline

An American businessman's daughter convinces him to buy a Scottish castle but he comes up with a plan to disassemble it to ship it to America brick by brick, where it will be put it back together. The deal includes the last family heir and his cursed several-hundred year old ghost ancestor who haunts the castle waiting for the chance to redeem his family's honor.

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Plot Keywords:

supernatural power | psychotronic film | castle | ghost | bagpipes | 

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Taglines:

The most romantic ghost you've ever seen! (Print Ad- New York Post, ((New York, NY)) 12 March 1936)

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Genres:

Comedy | Fantasy | Horror | Romance

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Certificate:

Approved

Did You Know?

Trivia

This was the biggest-grossing film of 1936 in Great Britain.

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Goofs

Having come to dinner at the castle in a tulle evening gown, Peggy decides on the spur of the moment to spend the night. Yet next morning she comes down in a daytime outfit, which she obviously would not have had with her.

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Quotes

Murdoch Glourie: Father, where are you? Where am I?
The Glourie: In limbo, the empty place between heaven and earth. I died with honor, and you died a coward's death, do you realize that?
Murdoch Glourie: Yes father, I suppose I did.
The Glourie: Then you can never be welcomed among your ancestors in heaven.
Murdoch Glourie: Never?
The Glourie: You will be an earthbound ghost, doomed to haunt the dark halls of Glourie Castle.

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Alternate Versions

More frequently shown in a 78 minute version that nearly eliminates the role of Elsa Lanchester.

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Connections

Referenced in Ed Wood (1994)

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Soundtracks

American Grit
(uncredited)
Music by Abe Holzmann

User Reviews

Rene Clair goes English

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.

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 February 1936 (USA)

Also Known As:

Fantôme à vendre

Filming Locations:

Denham Studios, Denham, Buckinghamshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

London Film Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Noiseless Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1