Tuesday, January 26, 2021

Movie review - "The Ghost Breakers" (1940) ****

 There's no hiding much of this humour is problematic -well, one aspect in particular, Willie Best, who plays Bob Hope's black servant. Best is very talented playing the role going and he is funny but it hasn't aged well.

Hope and Paulette Goddard have aged marvellously - a wonderful team in a comedy chiller, as Gene Wilder called them, she's pretty and game, he's cowardly but determined to pull through for her. They seem to genuinely enjoy each other's company.

Support includes Paul Lukas, Anthony Quinn (in a double role) and Richard Carlson, all of whom could be baddies which adds to the fun as does the castle on a island, genuine voodoo types.

George Marshall directed, one of many superior movies he made in an under-rated career.

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