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Charles Laughton, Robert Young, Margaret O'Brien, William Gargan, Peter Lawford ... see more see more... , Reginald Owen , Una O'Connor , Mike Mazurki , Rags Ragland , Donald Stuart , Elizabeth Risdon , Frank Faylen , Lumsden Hare , William Moss , Marc Cramer , William Tannen , Frank Reicher

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... read more read more... 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, Rovi

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70% liked it

487 ratings

Critics

83% liked it

6 critics

Unrated, 1 hr. 35 min.

Directed by: Jules Dassin

Release Date: July 1, 1944

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DVD Release Date: August 21, 1991

Stats: 43 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (43)

  • CHILIcheeseDONUTSwithTUNAonTOP
    June 20, 2011
    CHILIcheeseDONUTSwithTUNAonTOP
    Centuries ago an English king, embarassed by the cowardice of his son, has that son walled up in his castle. (The son was supposed to fight Tor Johnson of Plan 9 and A&C in the Foreign Legion fame.) Because of a curse placed on him, the son is doomed to haunt the castle for etern... read moreity. Flash-forward to WWII-era Britain. A group of US Army Rangers is staying at the castle, which is now owned by the 6 yo decendant of the king. One of the Rangers happens to also be decendent and with 6 yo they learn why the ghost is stuck here. To remedy the situation, a decendant must commit and act of bravery to appease the long-dead king. A decent horror-comedy which is a bit too sappy and the ghost was a real fem.
  • joshhitch
    December 18, 2009
    joshhitch
    Enjoyed this flick pretty well, Laughton is flawless like usual he is great with delivery. Also Robert Young was solid as well Margaret O'Brien who at 7 years old gave a wonderful performance, one of the better child actors I have seen in that era for sure. The effects were als... read moreo well done, very understated and simple but worked well.
  • beachbum181
    August 21, 2009
    beachbum181
    I love this movie. Margaret O'Brien is so adorable in it. She's got to be one the best child actors that there has ever been.

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Critic Reviews

John J. Puccio
December 23, 2009
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis

...a pleasant little fantasy, as well as a lighthearted bit of World War II propaganda. Full Review

Dennis Schwartz
November 20, 2008
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews

Its purpose was to foster good will between the UK and the USA. Full Review

Steve Crum
August 29, 2005
Steve Crum, Video-Reviewmaster.com

MGM comedy-fantasy combined with WWII theme is classic.

Nell Minow
July 26, 2003
Nell Minow, Movie Mom at Yahoo! Movies

Delicious fantasy with splendid performances by O'Brien, Young, and Laughton.

Ken Hanke
August 22, 2002
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

Sweet wartime comedy

March 26, 2009
Variety

Click to read the article Full Review

Bosley Crowther
March 25, 2006
Bosley Crowther, New York Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Dave Kehr
January 1, 2000
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader

Click to read the article Full Review

Emanuel Levy
July 15, 2005
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

No review available.

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