Hold That Ghost (1941)

Director:

Arthur Lubin

Writers:

Robert Lees (screenplay) &
Frederic I. Rinaldo (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

8 August 1941 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Horror | Mystery

Tagline:

9 ALL-TIME SONG HITS (re-release print ad - all caps)

Plot:

Two bumbling service station attendants are left as the sole beneficiaries in a gangster's will. Their...

Plot Keywords:

Haunted House | Gangster | Waiter | Old Dark House | Moose Head

Cast

Bud Abbott	...	Chuck Murray
Lou Costello	...	Ferdinand Jones
Richard Carlson	...	Doctor Jackson
Joan Davis	...	Camille Brewster
Mischa Auer	...	Gregory
Evelyn Ankers	...	Norma Lind
Marc Lawrence	...	Charlie Smith
Shemp Howard	...	Soda Jerk
Russell Hicks	...	Bannister
William B. Davidson	...	Moose Matson (as William Davidson)
Ted Lewis and His Orchestra	...	Themselves
The Andrews Sisters	...	Themselves
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Spencer Charters	...	Storekeeper (scenes deleted)
Ted Lewis	...	Himself - Leader of His Orchestra

Also Known As:

Oh, Charlie

Runtime:

86 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)

Certification:

Australia:G | Finland:S | USA:Approved (PCA #7215) | Sweden:15

Company:

Universal Pictures

Trivia:

The runaway success of Buck Privates (1941) caused a stir within the upper ranks of Universal, who had already begun production of Hold That Ghost (1941). The studio was enjoying it's first solidly profitable year since it was acquired by new owners in 1936 and wanted to exploit Abbott & Costello as logically as possible. The team's next assignment, In the Navy (1941) was resoundingly agreed to be a better follow up project so this horror-comedy was ordered halted. Production resumed about 4 months later. In retrospect, the decision was logical but probably unnecessary since the comedy duo was the hottest act in show business, and would remain so throughout the war years.

Goofs:

Continuity: The candle in Camille's room is repeatedly shown to be no more than a stub. When she takes it out into the hall it is nearly a full candle again.

Quotes:

Chuck: Everything happens to you.
Ferdie: Everything except what happened to Charlie Smith.

Movie Connections:

Spoofed in Tiny Toon Adventures: Night Ghoulery (1995) (TV)

Soundtrack:

When My Baby Smiles at Me

"I ain't sayin' there is, and I ain't sayin there ain't..."

"Hold That Ghost" was Abbott and Costello's fourth feature film, and the third in which they were headline billed. Also going three for three with the comedy duo were The Andrews Sisters and Shemp Howard, who previously appeared with the boys in "Buck Privates" and "In the Navy". The film style differs somewhat from the military based films in that Abbott and Costello stay away from the skit routines and go more for the sight gags and one liners.

In the story, Chuck Murray (Bud) and Ferdie Jones (Lou) inherit an abandoned inn from mobster Moose Matson; as stated in the will, they were with Moose at the time of his demise. Of course, Moose's cronies have an interest in the place because the money from his robberies are believed to be hidden there. Moose's assurance that the location of the money is "in his head" proves to be truer than we realize when first uttered. All of this serves as the basic premise for Bud and Lou to deliver their zany antics in what turns out to be a "haunted" house, replete with a dead body, levitating candles and observing ghosts.

Adding to the fun of the film is Joan Davis, a wonderful foil for Lou's character who has just the right blend of good looks and snappy attitude. Richard Carlson is the nerdy Doctor Jackson who misses all the romantic signals thrown his way by pretty Norma Lind (Evelyn Ankers).

The opening of "Hold That Ghost" left me considering whether today's concern with political correctness would have allowed the scene to be made today. Crooner Ted Lewis offers a rendition of "Me and My Shadow" with a black actor (uncredited Ralph Brooks) mimicking his movement, ostensibly as his "shadow". As always, The Andrews Sisters are delightfully entertaining, though not as animated as in the Service films.

After 1941's "Hold That Ghost", Abbott and Costello didn't venture into another "horror" type film until 1948's "Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein", possibly their best comedy and my personal favorite by the boys. But then they really got into high gear with the genre with a host of offerings in which they paired with a number of Universal's characters - the Invisible Man, Jekyll and Hyde, and The Mummy. All are a treat and come recommended for Abbott and Costello fans.