The Ghost Goes West

I first saw this film as a child on TV in Australia round 1973 - at which time it was already a very old film and I was only 7 years old.

I guess the fact I'm now 38 and writing about it means it stuck in my mind rather strongly.

I wanted for years and years to see it again and finally did in around 2000 - 27 years later. The childhood magic was still there.

Donat is wonderful. The whole story - escapist, romantic, spooky, fun and historically rich in yes - we know a rather fantasised way.

This is a feel-good film. Films similar to this are being made now - often called 'chick flick's and suchlike, but basically, what is wrong with a movie that makes you feel good? Not really deep, not really cerebral, but magical, funny, heartfelt, and a true escapist experience from our current modern lives,

Absorbing, fun and lovely.

Watch and Enjoy!

"The Ghost Goes West" is Robert Donat's only and best romantic comedy. Mr. Donat only made nineteen movies - they were dramas or light dramas. This movie is hysterical. It helps to have Eugene Pallette play the father of the girl (Jean Parker) that Donat's character loves. Mr. Donat plays two roles - Murdock Glourie (the ghost) and Donald Glourie (the current proprietor of the Scottish castle).

This was Eugene Pallette's first great speaking role. The other great roles he played were in: "My Man Godfrey", "Robin Hood", "Zorro", "Mr. Smith Goes To Washington", "The Lady Eve", and "Heaven Can Wait."

It is fun to watch the unknown cast - most of them did not continue working in the 1940's and so on. Only Donat, Parker, and Pallette were lucky to continue working. Ms. Parker is still alive and living comfortably at the Motion Picture Country Home in Woodland Hills, CA.

A Scottish nobleman in the 18th century gets accidentally killed after his family name had been insulted by another family clan.Until he can redeem his family's honor he must remain a ghost in his castle.Two centuries later his ancestor sells the castle to an American businessman,who moves it to the States stone by stone.The Ghost follows....

A very funny movie fantasy with a charming performance by Robert Donat in a dual role.Eugene Pallette as the american businessman turns in a hysterically funny performance.The contrast between Scots and Americans are used for maximum effect.

Rating:**** out of *****

Scotsman Murdoch Glourie (Robert Donat) dies a coward in a battle with the rival MacLaggan clan. Murdoch is forced to haunt the family castle until he can get a MacLaggan to admit that one Glourie is worth fifty MacLaggans. Two hundred years later, his descendant Donald Glourie (also played by Donat) has to sell the castle to pay off debts. Pretty American Peggie Martin (Jean Parker) convinces her wealthy father to buy the castle and ship it, stone by stone, to the U.S.

Enjoyable British romantic comedy with a good cast and pleasant tone. Robert Donat shines in dual roles. Jean Parker is adorable and likable. Eugene Palette is always a treat. The rest of the cast is mostly made up of Brits and are fun to watch. While I do like it, I admit it drags some in the middle after a strong start. It finishes nicely though.

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.