The Ghost Goes West
The Ghost Goes West
NR | 10 January 1936 (USA)
The Ghost Goes West Trailers

Donald Glourie shares his crumbling ancestral home with the ghost of his Highland ancestor, Murdoch, who has been condemned to haunt the castle until he avenges a 200-year-old insult from a rival clan. To clear his mounting debts, Donald sells the dilapidated pile to an American businessman, Mr Martin, who has the castle complete with the Glourie ghost transported and rebuilt in Florida. While old-world gentility rubs up comically against 20th-century materialism, Martin's daughter takes a liking to both Donald and Murdoch, convinced they are one and the same man...

Reviews
Diagonaldi Very well executed
LastingAware The greatest movie ever!
Organnall Too much about the plot just didn't add up, the writing was bad, some of the scenes were cringey and awkward,
Bessie Smyth Great story, amazing characters, superb action, enthralling cinematography. Yes, this is something I am glad I spent money on.
James Tardy This is sitting room comedy, meaning that most of the scenes could easily be performed as a stage play. The focus is on the dialogue and character acting, neither of which disappoint. A light hearted comedy with plenty of funny costumes and silly characters.Now tell me m'lady "what is the difference between a thistle in the heather and a kiss in the dark?". The handsome Murdoch Glourie is too smooth for his own good and misses the battle due to his chronic flirting. He does eventually show-up after dallying with a shepherdess, only to be killed by his fathers enemies. He is cursed to haunt his father's castle until he can find someone from the opposite clan who will admit defeat and break the curse.A century later Donald Glourie, decedent of the Glourie clan, sells the castle to an American for relocation…. A delightful romantic farce ensues as both Murdoch and Donald flirt with the rich American's daughter. A lovely sporty lady in a sporty little car.
edwagreen Positively miserable 1935 film. At least, now we know that Robert Donat was in for far better pictures such as The Citadel, Goodbye, Mr. Chips and The Inn of the 6th Happiness.Having died a coward the same day that his father died from the infirmities of old age, Donat is condemned by the latter to haunt the castle where they lived since he did not get even with an opposing family before going to battle for Scotland in a war against England.Fast forward, 200 years later and Donat appears as an ancestor whose remaining family is anxious to get rid of the house and the "ghost" who haunts it. A fine maiden appears anxious to purchase the castle and when she does, her father announces plans to build a replica of the castle in America.The film is devoted to the ghost appearing and not appearing at certain times.This was putrid, poor junk at its worst.
MartinHafer "The Ghost Goes West" is a cute movie which is an interesting hybrid. It's directed by the famous French director René Clair, stars the British actor Robert Donat and many of the actors are Americans! It sounds odd...but it all works very well.The film begins two hundred years ago. Murdock Glourie (Donat) is the son of a noble Scottish lord but he ends up embarrassing himself and losing the family honor when he's supposed to be out acting manly and fighting a war. He ends up getting killed by mistake and his father curses him to roam the family castle until he regains their honor.Years pass. The family fortune is gone and the castle is a wreck. Donald Glourie (also played by Donat) has a mountain of debts and he and his creditors see no escaping it...until some goofy Americans with more money than common sense see the place and decide to buy it! Oddly, while Donald tries to keep the family out of the castle after midnight (when the ghost appears each night), the daughter (Jean Parker) sees the ghost and thinks it's Donald...and she thinks this version of 'Donald' is pretty sexy! Regardless, the goofy father (Eugene Palette) decides to move the castle, stone by stone, to Florida....and he invites over a bunch of rich swells to see the castle AND the ghost. What's next? See the film.This is a cute film with a nice comedic touch and a touch of romance. While it's all very slight, it's handled well by Clair and the film is a delightful outing. Well worth seeing.
smithy-8 "The Ghost Goes West" is Robert Donat's only and best romantic comedy. Mr. Donat only made nineteen movies - they were dramas or light dramas. This movie is hysterical. It helps to have Eugene Pallette play the father of the girl (Jean Parker) that Donat's character loves. Mr. Donat plays two roles - Murdock Glourie (the ghost) and Donald Glourie (the current proprietor of the Scottish castle).This was Eugene Pallette's first great speaking role. The other great roles he played were in: "My Man Godfrey", "Robin Hood", "Zorro", "Mr. Smith Goes To Washington", "The Lady Eve", and "Heaven Can Wait."It is fun to watch the unknown cast - most of them did not continue working in the 1940's and so on. Only Donat, Parker, and Pallette were lucky to continue working. Ms. Parker is still alive and living comfortably at the Motion Picture Country Home in Woodland Hills, CA.