THE GHOST GOES WEST

UK, 1935, 78 minutes, Black and white.
Robert Donat, Jean Parker, Eugene Pallette, Elsa Lanchester.
Directed by Rene Clair.

The Ghost Goes West is a delightful comedy fantasy of the 130s. It was directed by Rene Clair, the French director of many silent films in his native France, director of films in England and during the war years of a number of fantasies in the United States e.g. I Married A Witch. He returned to France after the war and contributed to the building up of the French industry. His films are characterised by the light Gallic flavour and touch. There is some irony but overall good humour. The film was written by playwright Robert Sherwood. It offers a delightful comic role to Robert Donat at a time when he was very popular e.g. The Count of Monte Cristo, Knight Without Armour and Goodbye Mr. Chips. There is humorous support from the American cast. The special effects are
fairly basic but presented delightfully.

1. The status of the film as a classic comedy fantasy of the '30s? Rene Clair and his light touch? British film production of the 130s? The presentation of the Scottish, the British, the Americans - and the satirical parody style?

2. The qualities of British production, black and white photography, the musical score? The special effects for fantasy? Robert Donat's style and presence?

3. Audiences enjoying films about ghosts? The blend of the serious and the comic? The old 18th. century traditions into the 20th. century? The humorous comment on them? The perennial values? The comment on American values and exploitation and commercialism?

4. The quality of fancy - almost as if this was all possible? Audiences immersing themselves in the disbelief of the plot? Identifying with the ghost and his situation?

5. The humour of Scottish history - the Glowries and their traditions, old Glowrie and his expectations, Murdoch and his playing games and riddles with the girls? The rival family and their confrontation? The Glowrie defiance? The battles with the English? Murdoch's playing with the girl, his being killed by accident, his being condemned to walk the castle?

6. Murdoch Glowrie and his memories, his encounter with the heroine, his sinister appearances, his more humble attitudes? His final walk and his being released? The audience being sorry for a ghost?

7. Donald Glowrie and the 20th. century - similar character, money, the visit of the creditors and their very penny-pinching Scottish attitude, the housekeeper and her control? The visit of the Americans - the attractive daughter and her curiosity, the father with his money and his wife after her nervous breakdown? The discussion about the dinner, the dinner itself and the emphasis on money, the discussions about the sale? Donald and his decisions? His falling in love?

8. The satiric picture of the American family - father, the newly rich big businessman pushing himself, the wife commenting on her breakdown, the attractive daughter? The daughter and her encounter with the ghost, falling in love with Donald? The lavish style, the buying of the castle, transporting it stone by stone and rebuilding it in America?

9. Brigelow and his rivalry? American commercialism and exploitation? His wanting to humble his rival? The use of the media?

10. The launching of the castle, the father's wanting Donald to be the ghost and to prove that the castle was haunted, the daughter and her reluctance to participate? Donald and his decision to go through with the act? The irony of the heroine discussing things with the ghost? His appearance? Brigelow's thinking that he had won the day? The irony that the curse could be thwarted by Brigelow's humiliation?

11. The happy ending - Brigelow humiliated, the family content with their castle, Murdoch Glowrie gone back to Paradise, Donald and the heroine having a happy ending?

12. The portrait of human nature - e.g. the supporting cast in Scotland, Elsa Lanchester at the banquet? Audience delight in fantasy and what if ........