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The Ghost Breakers

Released Jun 21, 1940 1h 22m Mystery & Thriller Comedy List
86% Tomatometer 7 Reviews 76% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
After intrepid working girl Mary Carter (Paulette Goddard) becomes the new owner of a reputedly haunted mansion located on Black Island near the Cuban coast, a stranger (Anthony Quinn) phones to warn her to stay away from the castle. Undaunted, Mary sets sail for Cuba with a stowaway in her trunk -- wise-cracking Larry Lawrence (Bob Hope), a radio announcer who helps Mary get to the bottom of the voodoo magic, zombies and ghosts that supposedly curse the spooky estate.

Critics Reviews

View All (7) Critics Reviews
Matt Brunson Film Frenzy An even better mix of terror and titters than The Cat and the Canary -- there's even a real zombie shuffling around the appropriately atmospheric sets. Rated: 3.5/4 Sep 19, 2020 Full Review Austin Kennedy Film Geek Central If it focused more on the comedy instead of a generic horror plot, then this definitely would have been a fresher comedy. Instead, it's just a mediocre movie that just so happens to have a few funny gags in it. Rated: 2.5/4 Jul 9, 2013 Full Review Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews Mixing laughs and scares. Rated: B Jun 25, 2010 Full Review Sean Axmaker Seanax.com ... George Marshall makes an effort to construct the proper atmosphere around these city folk on a haunted safari in voodooland... Jun 11, 2010 Full Review Philip Martin Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Rated: 3/5 May 16, 2005 Full Review Andy Klein Los Angeles CityBeat Rated: 4/5 Aug 13, 2004 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (73) audience reviews
Tony P Absolutely one of the best old comedies ever made. The spooky elements are truly spooky if in a comic way. The romance of Cuba before Castro is on full display and makes you long for those elegant days and ways. Bob Hope is perfect for this story and Paulette Goddard is brilliant. Don't miss this one. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/16/23 Full Review Bill B Less of a comedy than one might expect, although famous for its one political punchline. Mostly, Hope delivers rather low-key jokes in the midst of a mystery surrounding a haunted mansion in Cuba. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 10/16/23 Full Review S R Typical Hope fare, but a bit older and with some spooks. We had some laughs. Interesting Cuba basis. Saw on TCM. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 10/14/23 Full Review Steve D Amusing but that is about it. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 05/25/23 Full Review Chris J MOVIE REVIEW The Cat and the Canary/The Ghost Breakers Approved/Passed – Genre: Comedy, Horror, Mystery Year Released: 1939/1940, 2022 Eureka! Blu-ray Runtime: 1h 12m/1h 25m Director(s): Elliott Nugent/George Marshall Writer(s): Walter DeLeon, Lynn Starling, John Willard (based on the stage play by)/Walter DeLeon, Paul Dickey (based on a play by,) Charles W. Goddard(based on a play by) Cast: Bob Hope, Paulette Goddard Where To Watch: Available now at Eureka Video RAVING REVIEW: Two Bob Hope classic horror comedies for the price of one, released over 80 years ago, offer solid comedy and funny horror moments that hold up well even today. You'll traditionally either like Bob Hope or you won't; there's not a lot of middle ground in his style. THE CAT AND THE CANARY is a classic horror comedy released in 1939. The film follows the story of Joyce Norman, played by Paulette Goddard, who inherits a mansion from her eccentric uncle. However, to claim her inheritance, Annabelle must spend the night in the mansion with a group of strangers, who are also potential heirs. As the night wears on, strange and supernatural events begin to occur, and it becomes clear that one of the heirs may be a killer. (sound familiar?) One of the standout aspects of THE CAT AND THE CANARY is its excellent cast. Hope is charming and funny as the bumbling hero, and Goddard is delightful as the plucky and resourceful Annabelle. The supporting cast is also strong, with John Beal, Gale Sondergaard, and Douglass Montgomery delivering memorable performances. The film's script is clever and well-written, with plenty of twists and turns to keep the audience guessing until the end. Regarding production value, we get a mixed bag. The sets and costumes are lavish and well done, but the special effects are a bit dated by today's standards. However, this doesn't detract from the film's overall enjoyment, as the focus is more on the characters and their interactions rather than the supernatural elements. Not to mention that if you're watching an 80-year-old film, you must know what you're getting. Overall, THE CAT AND THE CANARY is a delightful horror comedy that will delight fans of the genre. It's a classic example of the "old dark house" subgenre, and its wit and charm make it a must-see for any fan of vintage horror. THE GHOST BREAKERS is another horror comedy by Bob Hope, released in 1940. The film follows the story of Larry Lawrence, a radio host played by Hope, who is sent to investigate a haunted castle. Along the way, he meets Mary Carter, played by Paulette Goddard, and the two of them set out to uncover the mystery of the castle's ghostly inhabitants. Like THE CAT AND THE CANARY, THE GHOST BREAKERS boasts an excellent cast, with Hope and Goddard again delivering strong performances. The film's script is also well-written, with plenty of humorous and suspenseful moments throughout. The production values are also strong, with beautiful sets and costumes, and the special effects, while not particularly groundbreaking, are effective in creating a sense of spookiness. One of the standout aspects of THE GHOST BREAKERS is its setting. The film's location setting adds a sense of exoticism and adventure to the proceedings. The film makes great use of this, with the castle providing the perfect backdrop for the film's supernatural events. SPECIAL FEATURES: – Limited Edition slipcase [2000 copies] – 1080p presentation of both films from scans of the original film elements supplied by Universal, with The Ghost Breakers, presented from a new 2K master – Optional English SDH – Brand new audio commentary tracks on both films with Kevin Lyons and Jonathan Rigby – Kim Newman on "The Cat and the Canary" and "The Ghost Breakers" – "The Ghost Breakers" 1949 radio adaptation – Trailers – Reversible sleeve featuring original poster artwork – A limited edition collector's booklet featuring new writing by Craig Ian Mann [2000 copies] For more reviews and my YouTube channel, please visit linktr.ee/Overlyhonestmoviereviews Follow me on Letterboxd, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. Find my social media accounts on most platforms simply by searching Overly Honest Movie Reviews. I'm always happy to hear from my readers; please say hi or send me any questions about movies. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 12/16/22 Full Review Audience Member Calypso music, zombies & a haunted house! Unfortunately, there is racism... Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/11/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The Ghost Breakers

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Cast & Crew

Lady on a Train 71% 68% Lady on a Train The Bat Whispers 67% 53% The Bat Whispers The Cat and the Canary 93% 75% The Cat and the Canary The Major and the Minor 100% 83% The Major and the Minor Charade 95% 92% Charade Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Movie Info

Synopsis After intrepid working girl Mary Carter (Paulette Goddard) becomes the new owner of a reputedly haunted mansion located on Black Island near the Cuban coast, a stranger (Anthony Quinn) phones to warn her to stay away from the castle. Undaunted, Mary sets sail for Cuba with a stowaway in her trunk -- wise-cracking Larry Lawrence (Bob Hope), a radio announcer who helps Mary get to the bottom of the voodoo magic, zombies and ghosts that supposedly curse the spooky estate.
Director
George Marshall
Producer
Arthur Hornblow Jr.
Screenwriter
Walter DeLeon
Distributor
Paramount Pictures
Production Co
Paramount
Genre
Mystery & Thriller, Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jun 21, 1940, Original
Release Date (DVD)
Apr 29, 2003
Runtime
1h 22m