The Canterville Ghost

Released Jul 20, 1944

1 hr. 36 min.

Comedy

List

86%

7 Reviews

Tomatometer

73%

500+ Ratings

Audience Score

When Sir Simon de Canterville (Charles Laughton) flees a joust in fear and retreats to the family castle, his father traps Simon and curses him to haunt the estate until a descendent restores the family honor with an act of bravery. Hundreds of years later, Cuffy Williams (Robert Young), an American soldier stationed at the castle, discovers from young Lady Jessica (Margaret O'Brien) that he is a relative. Cuffy hopes to free Simon from his curse by displaying courage when under duress.

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Steve D

A weak version of the forgettable story.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

01/01/24

Full Review

robert p

A great propoganda film made during WW2 that's both funny, humorous, and a nailbiter as the end of the movie is fun but nervous too. I rate this a *4 & 1/2* stars!!!!

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I can't believe I lived my life never seeing this until now! An absolutely delightful film with a friendly ghost.I laughed, heart touched till I cried

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

10/24/20

Full Review

Frances H

O've always loved this great classic flick with the sweet little O'brian, the bombastic and pities Laughton, and the charming Young, who all make this wonderful tale by Oscar Wilde a great family/SSII flick! I saw this first as a kid on TV in Pittsburgh watching the 10 o'clock morning movie during summer vacation while we ate breakfast in the living room. summer was sweet when breakfast meant the great movies of the 40s every weekday!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/28/20

Full Review

Audience Member

The best fantasy movie ever made!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/26/23

Full Review

s r

A fun wartime propaganda film. Laughton was silly and O'Brien was adorable.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

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Jules Dassin

Director

Norman Z. McLeod

Director

Charles Laughton

Sir Simon de Canterville

Robert Young

Cuffy Williams

Margaret O'Brien

Lady Jessica de Canterville

William Gargan

Sergeant Benson

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Nell Minow

Movie Mom

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

Rated: 4/5

Jul 26, 2003

Full Review

Jose Maria Santos

Cine-Mundial

Oscar Wilde's story, upon being modernized, has become more likeable. [Full review in Spanish]

Sep 17, 2019

Full Review

John J. Puccio

Movie Metropolis

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

Rated: 6/10

Dec 23, 2009

Full Review

Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

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

Rated: C

Nov 20, 2008

Full Review

Steve Crum

Video-Reviewmaster.com

MGM comedy-fantasy combined with WWII theme is classic.

Rated: 5/5

Aug 29, 2005

Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 3/5

Jul 15, 2005

Full Review

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Synopsis

When Sir Simon de Canterville (Charles Laughton) flees a joust in fear and retreats to the family castle, his father traps Simon and curses him to haunt the estate until a descendent restores the family honor with an act of bravery. Hundreds of years later, Cuffy Williams (Robert Young), an American soldier stationed at the castle, discovers from young Lady Jessica (Margaret O'Brien) that he is a relative. Cuffy hopes to free Simon from his curse by displaying courage when under duress.

Director: Jules Dassin, Norman Z. McLeod
Screenwriter: Edwin Blum
Production Co: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 20, 1944, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2009

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