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Gene Tierney, Rex Harrison, George Sanders, Edna Best, Isobel Elsom ... see more see more... , Natalie Wood , Helen Freeman , Vanessa Brown , Robert Coote , Victoria Horne , Whitford Kane , Anna Lee , Brad Slaven , William Stelling , David Thursby , Heather Wilde , Stuart Holmes , Houseley Stevenson Sr.

Like its TV-sitcom counterpart of the 1960s, the original film version of The Ghost and Mrs. Muir was based on the novel by R.A. Dick. Gene Tierney plays turn-of-the-century widow Lucy Muir, who escap... read more read more...es her impossible in-laws by moving into an old house on the English seacoast. Despite the warnings of realtor Combe (Robert Coote) that the house might be haunted, the tenacious young widow calmly establishes residence with her young daughter Anna (Natalie Wood) and housekeeper Martha (Edna Best) in tow. Sure enough, the place is haunted by the spirit of its previous owner-a bombastic, profane, yet somehow attractive sea captain named Daniel Gregg (Rex Harrison). When Lucy steadfastly refuses to be frightened by Captain Gregg, he takes a liking to her, and the two become close friends (in standard ghost-movie tradition, only Lucy can hear or see the Captain). Realizing that Lucy is in dire financial straits, the Captain offers to dictate his colorful memoirs to her, which she promptly parlays into a best-seller and a lasting literary career. Slowly but surely, Gregg falls in love with Lucy. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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85% liked it

8,263 ratings

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100% liked it

13 critics

Unrated, 1 hr. 44 min.

Directed by: Joseph L. Mankiewicz

Release Date: June 26, 1947

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DVD Release Date: April 1, 2003

Stats: 612 reviews

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Captain Gregg Tierney and Harrison The Ghost and Mrs. Muir
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Flixster Reviews (612)

  • FrizzDrop
    May 24, 2012
    FrizzDrop
    An inviting and star crossed film about a love that dare not speak its name, and some semblance of a ghost story. There isn't anything too supernatural or strange about this film, but it is about the loss of what could have been, an inviting subject since one of the paramours is ... read moredead. Set at the turn of the twentieth century, it stands as a period piece about an always lonely widower with a daughter and servant who move to a secluded cottage in England. Inhabitating the cottage already is the wrongfully slandered sea Captain Gregg who haunts the house after not accepting his own demise. The film warrants sincere love from watchers as we see Mrs. Muir battle her conscience, heartbreak, and tries to be strong against her in-laws and the decisions she must make though they keep her isolated from the outside world. Though truly a ghost story about the captain, it doesn't ultimately center on the dear departed Gregg. There are some interesting scenes where special effects are used to open and close windows, doors, and all manner of lights switching on and off. This leads to a good bit of humor, which is where Rex Harrison shines through. His exceptional humor and briny performance come off as the learned man of the house, while also being brash and roguish. Though their romance comes off as stilted and strange in truth, the actual story and breadth of time it takes for the ending to come about was heartbreaking to watch, as Mrs. Muir is left to her own ends and finds little truth in her life or in the captain's death. Gene Tierney is also a beautiful addition to the cast. She is so prudish and sweet tempered, yet she doesn't wait to be pushed around by her family, or for that matter a ghost. Though she is certainly strong, there is little to be done about her own happiness and life, as the only person for her is actually dead. Though the last twenty minutes peter along slowly, it was a sufficient buildup to show the complexities of Mrs. Muir's situation and her choice in her own happiness. I absolutely loved the adorable give and take between the two leads, the moments of humor demonstrated mostly from Rex Harrison, and the performances, even from the little girl. It was a beautiful film, if not a tad campy and the characters somewhat petulant at times.
  • pier007
    December 14, 2011
    pier007
    Strange and even a bit silly at first glance, then it turns enchanting, dreamy. hauntingly beautiful. A misty night, with the sea side and the waves clashing, in front of Gene Tierny's angel face and backed by Bernard Herrmann's gorgeous music score, and I could die happy.
  • FilmFanatik
    December 9, 2010
    FilmFanatik
    A predictable but heartfelt love story. You can see the ending coming a mile away, but it doesn't make the story any less enthralling.
  • ajv2688
    October 24, 2010
    ajv2688
    A good cast, and an unique story, brings you romance and excitement. I liked this movie, it was good.
  • hobster1
    June 8, 2010
    hobster1
    Beautifully filmed, old fashioned escapism about a widow who begins a new life in a recently purchased house and discovers the previous owner has not completely left. Classic romance is emotionally engaging in a way that only a movie of the 1940s can be. Gene Tierney radiates s... read moreophisticated beauty and Rex Harrison inhabits his role convincingly as the old salt. Some shrewd supporting work from George Sanders as an author who is also taken with the young woman. Classic veteran director Joseph L. Mankiewicz directs with polish and flair. A real throwback to a more innocent era. If the ending doesn't move you, please see a doctor.
  • bottcorecords1
    February 22, 2010
    bottcorecords1
    THIS REVIEW CONTAINS POSSIBLE SPOILERS:
    A film that starts off so strongly can only go downwards, but The Ghost and Mrs. Muir takes a nosedive in the last half hour that nearly ruins the film. The big twist surprise is quite predictable and the ending that is telegraphed (liter... read moreally) years in advance takes far too long to get to. I find the notion that a woman as vivacious and full of life as Mrs. Muir should spend the last 40 or 50 years of her life waiting to die, just so she can be with her beloved "ghost" more offensive than romantic. It's a cruel twist on a charming and novel film. But let's go back to the beginning. Mrs. Muir is a strong-willed lady who's been recently widowed. She and her daughter are living with her mother-in-law and sister-in-law when Mrs. Muir decides she's had enough of the two and decides to strike out on her own. She settles on an old house that has been uninhabited for quite some time and is on the market at a rather cheap price. The reason for the cheap price is obviously that a ghost haunts the premises. Mrs. Muir however, isn't one to be put out by any spectral inconveniences and moves her family in despite the warnings from the real estate broker. It isn't long before the ghost (of the old sailer who built the house) and she are having it out, face-to-face. The ghost, realizing he's come head-to-head with a stubborn (yet very comely) female, decides to compromise and let her stay. This leads to a bizarre friendship, to say the least. Things go awry when a pushy writer begins poking around, trying to sweep Mrs. Muir off her feet. The ghost captain can only stand aside and watch as his beloved Mrs. Muir runs aflutter at the gentleman's attention. Once Mrs. Muir realizes her mistake, it's too late, and she's doomed, not to be haunted, but to be non-haunted (if such a thing is possible?). What starts off as a cute and funny premise eventually gets bogged down in a morass of unromantic dillusion and disallusioned romance. I found it to be sad, but not in the way most people find it.
  • flixsterman
    December 12, 2009
    flixsterman
    When you think of filmdom's strangest romances, what are the first movies that come to mind? Harold & Maude maybe? Sunset Boulevard perhaps? How about a film where an attractive and vivacious young woman moves into a house on the seashore and falls in love with the ... read morecantankerous ghost of a sea captain that haunts her new home? As strange as it may sound, The Ghost and Mrs. Muir is one of the all-time great love stories. This is a script that could have easily turned out corny and ridiculous but instead has a class and charm that will forever anchor it as a true Hollywood classic.
  • arashxak
    August 25, 2008
    arashxak
    A romantic ghost story Sometimes sappy but that's ok
  • jennifxu
    January 23, 2008
    jennifxu
    This is just sweet. Rex Harrison redeems himself in my eyes with this splendor. Gene Tierney is capable of subtly making every role her personal own. I think I like Mankiewicz better when he's screenwriting, but ahh this a good movie.
  • McKittrick
    November 7, 2007
    McKittrick
    A beautiful and quite surreal love story.
    I have a bit of a problem with Rex Harrison. He tends to shout ALL the time and he is a bit of a ham - apart from the odd exception (his deeply human Caesar in the mess that was CLEOPATRA, stood head and shoulders above all the dirge and... read more kitsch which all sinks into mediocraty when he's not around anymore) But here, his performance is spot on - his gruff and occasionally quite aggressive manner is more to do with the character's vulnerability and so feels more tender and poignant instead of arrogant and pompous. I'm with Gene Tierney on this one - I would fall in love with him too! Tierney is great casting also (as usual, under the right director, she gives a luminous performance) - capturing perfectly her character's steely veneer of independence - it slowly falling away as she falls under Daniel's spell.
    Poor George Sanders doesn't get much of a look-in in a very small and quite pointless role. But other small roles are quite enjoyable - I particularly enjoyed Robert Coote as Mr Coombe - a British character actor usually typecast as caricature bumbling idiots, but here, he is quite warm and funny. The pursed-lipped and resentful in-laws are a delight as well - the scene where Lucy tells them to "push off!" is wonderful.
    As ever, Herrmann's score enriches the story's emotional depth - which reaches a heavenly crescendo in the incredible ending as our hero and heroine disappear hand in hand into eternity! Amazing.

View All The Ghost and Mrs. Muir Reviews

Critic Reviews

Scott G. Mignola
January 2, 2011
Scott G. Mignola, Common Sense Media

Charming family classic is also thought-provoking. Full Review

Dennis Schwartz
March 31, 2010
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews

It didn't move me as much as I think it should have. Full Review

Steve Crum
March 14, 2009
Steve Crum, Video-Reviewmaster.com

Top fantasy film of any time; featuring Rex Harrison, Gene Tierney.

Carol Cling
March 31, 2006
Carol Cling, Las Vegas Review-Journal

Classic fantasy with charming, haunting performances

MaryAnn Johanson
October 31, 2005
MaryAnn Johanson, Flick Filosopher

[A] charming tale of two lost and lonely souls, one of which just happens to be dead, who take some grudging comfort in each other's presence. Full Review

Bob Bloom
May 2, 2004
Bob Bloom, Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN)

An out-of-this world love story; Tierney was never more beautiful; Harrison never as rugged or handsome. A timeless treasure.

James Sanford
September 21, 2003
James Sanford, Kalamazoo Gazette

Lyrical, touching romance, carmingly old-fashioned

Matt Brunson
April 16, 2003
Matt Brunson, Creative Loafing

Most notable for its effortless shifts in tone, starting out as a charming comedy before segueing into a melodrama ... and finally erupting as a deeply affecting tragedy capped by a redemptive ending.

Matt Bailey
April 7, 2003
Matt Bailey, Not Coming to a Theater Near You

While a product of the Hollywood studio system, the film is a remarkable piece of thoughtful moviemaking for adults. Full Review

John J. Puccio
April 1, 2003
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis

...director Joseph L. Mankiewicz's 1947 postwar love letter to the world.

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The Ghost and Mrs. Muir Trivia

  • In the movie, "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir", what occupation did the ghost have when he was living?  Answer »
  • Who portrayed Capt. Daniel Gregg in The Ghost And Mrs Muir { 1947 version} ?  Answer »
  • Who portrayed Lucy Muir in 1947 film The Ghost And Mrs Muir ?  Answer »
  • Who was the ghost on "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir?"?  Answer »
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