Watch The Ghost Goes West

The Ghost Goes West is a charming and whimsical romantic comedy from 1935, directed by René Clair and starring Robert Donat, Jean Parker, and Eugene Pallette. The film follows the story of an American businessman named Joe Martin (played by Pallette) who purchases a Scottish castle and has it transported to Florida brick by brick, in order to create a tourist attraction. However, he soon discovers that the castle is haunted by the ghost of a 17th-century Scottish nobleman, Murdoch Glourie (played by Donat), who has been cursed to haunt the castle until his family's honor is restored.

After Joe unsuccessfully tries to exorcise the castle, he decides to sell it to a wealthy American family, the Dukes (played by Parker), who plan to use it as a summer home. However, when Glourie falls in love with the beautiful Peggy Duke, things become complicated. With the help of Joe, Glourie decides to win Peggy's heart and lift the curse on his family.

The film is full of delightful moments and witty dialogue, and the characters are all likable and endearing. Donat is particularly memorable as the ghost, playing the character with a charming and mischievous spirit. Parker is also excellent as Peggy, bringing a sense of intelligence and backbone to her role, even as she finds herself falling for a ghost.

One of the film's most impressive aspects is its visual effects, which were groundbreaking at the time. The scenes featuring the ghost are expertly done, with Donat often appearing on screen alongside his living co-stars thanks to clever special effects. The castle itself is also beautifully presented, with its gothic architecture and misty moors providing the perfect setting for the film's supernatural hijinks.

The Ghost Goes West is not just a romantic comedy, however; it also has deeper themes of class and culture clash. The contrast between the American Dukes and the Scottish castle is striking, and the film explores the differences between the two cultures in a humorous but astute way. There is also a sense of nostalgia for a bygone age, as Glourie longs for the days of his ancestors and his lost love.

Overall, The Ghost Goes West is a charming and entertaining film that stands the test of time. Its endearing characters, witty dialogue, and impressive visual effects make it a classic of the romantic comedy genre, and it remains a delight to watch to this day.

The Ghost Goes West is a 1935 romance movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 35 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.7.