The Ghost Breakers (1940)

A radio broadcaster, his quaking manservant and an heiress investigate the mystery of a haunted castle in Cuba.

Director:

George Marshall

Writers:

Walter DeLeon (screen play), Paul Dickey (based on a play by)

Stars:

Bob Hope, Paulette Goddard, Richard Carlson

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Bob Hope	...	Larry Lawrence
Paulette Goddard	...	Mary Carter
Richard Carlson	...	Geoff Montgomery
Paul Lukas	...	Parada
Willie Best	...	Alex
Pedro de Cordoba	...	Havez (as Pedro De Cordoba)
Virginia Brissac	...	Mother Zombie
Noble Johnson	...	The Zombie
Anthony Quinn	...	Ramon Mederos / Francisco Mederos
Tom Dugan	...	Raspy Kelly
Paul Fix	...	Frenchy Duval
Lloyd Corrigan	...	Martin

Storyline

Mary Carter inherits her family's ancestral home, located on a small island off Cuba, and, despite warnings and death threats, decides to take possession of the reputedly haunted castle. She is joined by radio broadcaster Larry Lawrence who, believing he has killed a mob gunman, flees New York with his butler, Alex. Once on the island the threesome enter the eerie castle and after viewing the ghost of one of Mary's ancestors and fighting off a menacing zombie, they find the key to the castle's treasure but are interrupted by an all-too-human foe.

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Plot Keywords:

zombie | voodoo | haunted house | psychotronic film | island | 

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Taglines:

The two stars of "The Cat and the Canary" find love and laughter in a haunted house!

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Genres:

Comedy | Horror | Mystery

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Certificate:

Passed

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 June 1940 (USA)

Also Known As:

Le mystère du château maudit

Filming Locations:

Paramount Studios - 5555 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

85 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

"Screen Director's Playhouse" broadcast a 30-minute radio adaptation of the movie on April 3, 1949, with Bob Hope reprising his film role.

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Goofs

When the man dies in the crypt, he dies with his eyes open. In the next shot his eyes are closed.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Mary Carter: Hello, operator? Operator? Operator, the lights in my room. What? The lightning?

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Connections

Version of The Ghost Breaker (1914)

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Soundtracks

Thanks for the Memory
(1938) (uncredited)
Music by Ralph Rainger
Lyrics by Leo Robin
Sung briefly by Bob Hope

User Reviews

One Of Hope's Funniest

This is one of my few Bob Hope "keepers," not that I didn't like the man; i just found most of his movies too corny.

However, as corny as this one is, too, and stupid and silly in parts, it's also very funny and very entertaining.....and that's the name of that tune, as "Baretta" used to say.

The story moves fast, exhibiting that entertainment value, and has a good mixture of comedy, drama, horror and romance. Paulette Goddard is a very attractive, likable female lead and Willie West provides a lot of laughs as Hope's valet-friend. Yes, his Negro role is degrading, so a warning to those who would be very offended at that. It was interesting to see Anthony Quinn in this early role in his career.

All in all, a movie that a lot other folks would agree is one of Hope's funniest films.