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Ghosts in the Movies
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Hollywood's Ideas
Much of the mainstream belief on ghosts, hauntings and the spirit world, are based on the works of fiction writers and filmmakers. Graveyards are frightening places that are always dark and misty. Every century old house is a haunted house; a house in which the lights continually go out, the stairs creak and the ghosts are never far away. This is enough to scare even the bravest. Because ghosts, after all, sometimes have very serious agendas, like revenge and murder. Hollywood hype? Certainly! Still it's entertainment. And sometimes we just want to be entertained.
Comedies
Hollywood film makers have given the moviegoer some
interesting films about ghosts and the afterlife. The list of films that feature horrifying ghosts and ghouls is nearly endless. Fortunately there are almost as many comedic ghostly goings on. This leaves little doubt that filmgoers also enjoy laughing at ghostly antics.
Thankfully, Hollywood has accommodated us with several sidesplitting tales of those tenacious spirits who linger on this earthly plane, long after death has claimed them. The Haunted Mansion, starring Eddie Murphy, is the latest of Hollywood's ghostly offerings.
Topper, starring Cary Grant, Constance Bennet, and Roland Young, is a fine example of just how much havoc a pair of well-intentioned spirits can wreak on the living. The Kirbys simply don't know when to call it quits. And poor Cosmo's life will never be quite the same. Once the ghostly duo decides to befriend him, he finds himself in a constant state of confusion. Though we may sympathize with his plight, we still have the option of laughing at his problem. After all, no one but Topper can see the meddling ghosts. Topper was lighthearted entertainment at a time when moviegoers needed it most. The movie's popularity led to other stories in the series; Topper Returns, and Topper Takes a Trip. A television series starring Leo G. Carroll as Topper, ran for a few years in the early fifties. Topper found himself befuddled every week by the antics of the charming, and the oh so ghostly, George and Marion Kirby. Adding to the fun was the Kirbys' St. Bernard (also a ghost).
In 1979 the original film was remade once more.
Ghost Breakers starring Bob Hope and Paulette Goddard is a mixture of ghost tale and murder, played strictly for laughs. Into the haunted house they go. What evil and laughs will they discover along the way? Sorry. You'll have to find out on your own. While we're in the haunted house let's not forget Don Knotts' scaredy cat character who finds himself spending the night in a cobweb strewn abode in order to prove his bravery. Is it bravery or stupidity? Watch The Ghost and Mr. Chicken and decide for yourself.
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