IMDb > Ghost Story (1981)
Ghost Story
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Ghost Story (1981) More at IMDbPro »

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Ghost Story (1981) -- Four successful elderly gentlemen, members of the Chowder Society, share a gruesome, 50-year old secret. When one of Edward Wanderley's twin sons dies in a bizarre accident, the group begins to see a pattern of frightening events developing.

Overview

User Rating:
5.8/10   2,529 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 37% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
John Irvin
Writers:
Lawrence D. Cohen (writer)
Peter Straub (novel)
Contact:
View company contact information for Ghost Story on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
18 December 1981 (USA) more
Genre:
Drama | Horror more
Tagline:
The time has come to tell the tale.
Plot:
Four successful elderly gentlemen, members of the Chowder Society, share a gruesome, 50-year old secret... more | full synopsis
Awards:
1 nomination more
NewsDesk:
(8 articles)
2009 Reaper Awards Winners!
 (From MovieWeb. 14 October 2009, 12:25 PM, PDT)

Ultimate Ghost Story
 (From Atomic Popcorn. 8 October 2009, 8:14 AM, PDT)

User Comments:
"An intelligent scary movie, a classic treasure, worth your time." more (94 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Fred Astaire ... Ricky Hawthorne

Melvyn Douglas ... Dr. John Jaffrey

Douglas Fairbanks Jr. ... Edward Charles Wanderley
John Houseman ... Sears James
Craig Wasson ... Don Wanderley / David Wanderley
Patricia Neal ... Stella Hawthorne
Alice Krige ... Eva Galli / Alma Mobley
Jacqueline Brookes ... Milly
Miguel Fernandes ... Gregory Bate
Lance Holcomb ... Fenny Bate
Mark Chamberlin ... Young Jaffrey
Tim Choate ... Young Hawthorne
Kurt Johnson ... Young Wanderley
Ken Olin ... Young James
Brad Sullivan ... Sheriff Hardesty
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Runtime:
110 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono
Filming Locations:
Albany, New York, USA more

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Melvyn Douglas (Dr. John Jaffery) is actually mentioned in the novel on which the movie is based. more
Goofs:
Continuity: When Ricky is having the car dragged up from the lake, it changes between day and night several times. more
Quotes:
Don: Well, what happened to her?
Sears James: Well, that's obvious, isn't it?
Ricky Hawthorne: We killed her.
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in What Lies Beneath (2000) more
Soundtrack:
Sweetheart of Sigma Chi more

FAQ

Why does releasing Eva's body from the car stop her?
Why does the ghost wait fifty years to return for revenge?
Is this based on a book?
more
21 out of 24 people found the following comment useful.
"An intelligent scary movie, a classic treasure, worth your time.", 20 March 2005
10/10
Author: victorsargeant from United States BOULDER COUNTY COLORADO

I just finished viewing this film, sadly a faded print, little treasure for the fifth time, since its release in 1981. Its worth your time and attention. The cinema-photography is excellent. The film's musical score is excellent. Performances are often brilliant, as only seasoned actors can be. It must have been fun to work on this project. The new actors are equally great, especially Alice who plays Alma, the starring role.The young man who is the male lead, went on to become famous, as you will see in the famous faces of the other young men as well. What a great break for them all, to work with such seasoned legends. Alice is a rare flower, English actor who is now a major star.

This film was a work of love and you can feel it. The camera angles make the film spooky and scary. Even after five times, I was still surprised and jumped again. Bravo. Worth buying this film as a classic for your collections. "The Haunting of Hill House" comes to mind here.

The music is first rate and added so much to the plot and its eerie story. With the camera work, clever original shots, the story takes on a great level of artistry. BRAVO on the little jewel. SARGE IN Colorado

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (94 total)

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naked guy Arnoldo_2002
Alice Krige was HOT markci250
Recast? TeamJustice
Alice Krige full frontal cut in newer prints ? erslade1
oh, the horror! jade_the_dreamer
Ready for a Remake Leovinus
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