Movie Type: Haunted House Film, Heaven-Can-Wait Fantasies
Themes: Redemption, Ghosts
Main Cast: Charles Laughton, Robert Young, Margaret O'Brien, William Gargan, Peter Lawford, Una O'Connor, Reginald Owen
Release Year: 1944
Country: US
Run Time: 95 minutes
MPAA Rating: NR
Plot
The whimsical Oscar Wilde fantasy yarn The Canterville Ghost is updated to WW2 in this economical but attractively produced MGM filmization. Charles Laughton plays Sir Simon de Canterville, a feckless 17th century British aristocrat who, after proving himself a coward on the field of honor, is walled up alive in his own castle by his unforgiving father (Reginald Owen). Sir Simon's ghost is doomed to haunt the corridors of Canterville Hall until one of his descendants performs a conspicuous act of bravery. 300 years later, the castle is billetted by a platoon of American soldiers-one of whom, Cuffy Williams (Robert Young), is of course a distant relation to Sir Simon. The ghost of Canterville Hall does his best to frighten away the American "intruders", but he's a fairly incompetent spirit, incapable of frightening even the young mistress of the castle, 8-year-old Lady Jessica (Margaret O'Brien). Upon learning of his family legacy, Cuffy begins worrying that he, too, will prove to be a coward when the chips are down, but with the help of the Ghost and the stalwart Lady Jessica, Cuffy is able to summon up his innate courage. Sharp-eyed viewers will spot Peter Lawford in a tiny role as Sir Simon's ill-fated brother, and cult figure Tor Johnson as Simon's fearsome jousting opponent. Though never remade theatrically, The Canterville Ghost resurfaced in TV-movie form 1986 and 1996. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Review
Loosely adapted from the famous Oscar Wilde short story, The Canterville Ghost is an enjoyable diversion. Updating the story to a World War II setting and complicating the original, rather simple story gives the piece a distinctly different feel, one that is decidedly "un-Wildean," but it works well as an example of Hollywood comedy in the mid-'40s. Edwin Blum's screenplay is serviceable; it does its job well, but is not especially memorable. Likewise, Jules Dassin's direction is fine, though nothing to write home about. Where Canterville shines is in its performances, especially that of Charles Laughton. Looking quite a bit like Bert Lahr, Laughton could probably have played the part in his sleep, but the looseness he brings to the role allows him to strike all the right notes, and there's a lovely playfulness to his every moment onscreen. Margaret O'Brien's English accent is very much a sometime thing, but she's otherwise very effective, if a bit forced in places. And Robert Young is charming throughout; indeed, Young's performance may be perhaps a bit TOO charming, for it's hard to believe that this man suddenly becomes a coward merely because he discovers that all of his ancestors were. Still, most will be willing to overlook this flaw and enjoy this lovely little romp of a film. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide
Jules Dassin - Director, Chester Schaeffer - Editor, George Bassman - Composer (Music Score), Robert Planck - Cinematographer, Arthur L. Field - Producer, Edwin Blum - Screenwriter, Oscar Wilde - Short Story Author
In the seventeenth century, Sir Simon de Canterville (Charles Laughton) flees to the family castle to avoid a duel with a gigantic opponent (played by an uncredited Tor Johnson). His proud father, Lord Canterville (Reginald Owen), refuses to acknowledge that his son has disgraced the family name, even when shown in front of witnesses where Simon is cowering. The father has the only entrance to his son's hiding place bricked over as proof that Simon is not there, ignoring Simon's pleas for mercy. Lord Canterville then curses his cowardly son to find no rest until one of his descendants redeems him with an act of bravery.
The film then moves forward to World War II. US Army Rangers are billeted in the castle, owned now by a six-year-old Lady Jessica de Canterville (Margaret O'Brien). One of the men is Cuffy Williams (Robert Young). Jessica discovers that he is a Canterville by a distinctive birthmark. Together, the two meet and learn the fate of their ghostly ancestor. One night, Simon takes Cuffy on a tour of the family portrait gallery, recounting the cowardly acts of every descendant.
When the crucial moment comes, Cuffy seems to be a true Canterville. When an unexploded bomb is found, he is paralyzed with fear. However, Lady Jessica inspires him to hitch the bomb behind a jeep and drive it away to a ravine, jumping off at the last moment. The courageous act saves the lives of all in the area and Sir Simon is finally freed from his centuries of bondage.
