Favourite GHOST movies

**Wendigo** · April 11th, 2009, 08:38 AM

Movies with a ghostly theme, not just horror movies.

The Haunting (1963)
The Others
The Innocents (1961)
The Woman in Black - one scene in particular stands out
The Changeling.

I love reading ghost stories but good ghostly movies are pretty scarce.

maxedout · April 11th, 2009, 01:27 PM

Quote:

The Haunting (1963)

I'm with you on that one - one of my all-time faves.
Just shows what you can do with a good cast & excellent camerawork & lighting. Infinitely superior to the abortion of a remake.

Not movies, but I always loved the BBC versions of M.R. James' stories which usually get repeated at xmas.

I also remember a weird little TV programme from the late 70's called "Schalken the Painter" - well worth watching, and not just because Cheryl Kennedy gets her kit off - but that's a plus.

**sohtatexas** · April 11th, 2009, 02:15 PM

The Legend of Hell House (1973)

The Omen (1976)

The Shining (1980)

The Blair Witch Project (1999)

**Wendigo** · April 11th, 2009, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maxedout

Not movies, but I always loved the BBC versions of M.R. James' stories which usually get repeated at xmas.
I also remember a weird little TV programme from the late 70's called "Schalken the Painter" - well worth watching, and not just because Cheryl Kennedy gets her kit off - but that's a plus.

I agree, Schalcken the Painter was very spooky.
As well as the superb adaptations of M.R.James ghost stories there's also a 70's BBC gem called Lost Hearts that it would be nice to see again. I don't recall it being released on DVD.

Drella · April 11th, 2009, 05:10 PM

I loved Beetlejuice when I was a kid.
Bangkok Haunted was pretty good.
The Eye (The Chinese version, not the crap remake).

avidfan · April 12th, 2009, 11:36 AM

if you like ghost movies, you should take a look at what some asian countries produce-theyre very big on ghost stories and make some excellent films!
how about the entity, the amytiville horror?

reiver58 · April 12th, 2009, 01:15 PM

I liked the Topper movies and the subsequent TV show, which included an alcoholic ghost ST Bernard named Neil and had "Mr Waverly" from "The Man from UNCLE" playing Topper. (Leo G Carroll).

These are the Amazon reviews....

Topper 1937

A classic screwball comedy with a supernatural twist, Topper stars the incomparable Cary Grant and sparkling Constance Bennett as George and Marion Kirby, a fun-loving couple who cap an evening of jazz and champagne by running their car into a tree. They return as ghosts with a mandate to liven up the straight-laced hen-pecked life of bank president Cosmo Topper (Roland Young), who's hungry for just such a shake-up. Before long he's boozing, dancing, and getting into fights, all of which gives him a rakish reputation--much to the consternation of his wife (Billie Burke, best known as Glinda the Good Witch in The Wizard of Oz). --Bret Fetzer

Topper Returns

When bombshell Joan Blondell accompanies friend Carole Landis to her spooky family home and is murdered for her pains, she returns as a ghost bent upon the solution of her own murder--and enlists Roland Young (as Cosmo Topper) as an unlikely aide. The result is a wildly funny film that offers great performances from some of the finest screwball character actors of the period.
Based on characters originally seen in the earlier TOPPER starring Cary Grant and Roland Young, TOPPER RETURNS is a broad take-off on the stereotypes of "old dark house" mysteries popular in the 1930s and 1940s--most particularly the classic CAT AND THE CANARY and THE BAT, which were noted for their black-costumed criminals and creepy mansions complete with secret passages, but also referencing Hitchcock's REBECCA. Blondell gives a typically lively performance as a ghost with attitude, and Young is perfectly cast as the mild-mannered banker she blackmails into assisting her. Carole Landis is also attractively cast as the heiress targeted for murder.

But the real stars of TOPPER RETURNS are the supporting cast, most particularly Billie Burke, Patsy Kelly, and Eddie "Rochester" Anderson. Burke gives her sublime flair for the ridiculously absurd full reign in the role of Cosmo Topper's ditsy wife, and few could match Patsy Kelly's combination of drop-dead humor and double-take. But the real scene-stealer is Eddie Anderson, best known as Jack Benny's radio and television sidekick "Rochester." Although the actual script plays to racial stereotypes of the day, Anderson completely transcends its less savory aspects with a performance that is nothing short of comic genius, and it makes one wish the era in which he worked had afforded him broader opportunity.

The entire family should enjoy TOPPER RETURNS, which plays at director Hal Roach's typically fast pace with nary a lag, and the special effects are fun to watch. The film is an overlooked comic gem and deserves a place in any collection

**Wendigo** · April 12th, 2009, 02:47 PM

Although not scary I also loved the great Charles Laughton in the Canterville Ghost.

I liked the way they used the music score in The Entity when the attacks occurred and the first Amityville movie was fairly decent, shame about the others.

I'm not a great follower of Asian cinema but Ringu, the first Ring movie was pretty good. I prefer movies that set out to shock and manage to do so without going overboard on the viscera front.
If you've any recommendations I'd appreciate it.

**Wendigo** · April 12th, 2009, 08:22 PM

Just found Lost Hearts on youtube of all places
part 1 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNHlDwot6_8
The other 3 parts are linked to that page.

Damn those good for nothing lazy arsed managers at the BBC, this should have been part of a DVD collection a long time ago.

**Devius** · April 12th, 2009, 10:46 PM

The (original) Haunting

Dead Of Night (1945)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dead_of_Night

The Sixth Sense

April 11th, 2009, 08:38 AM	#1
Wendigo Former Staff Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Blighty Posts: 113,771 Thanks: 259,876 Thanked 1,139,231 Times in 113,889 Posts	Favourite GHOST movies Movies with a ghostly theme, not just horror movies. The Haunting (1963) The Others The Innocents (1961) The Woman in Black - one scene in particular stands out The Changeling. I love reading ghost stories but good ghostly movies are pretty scarce.

April 12th, 2009, 10:46 PM	#10
Devius Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: It's a London Thing.... Posts: 23,472 Thanks: 142,015 Thanked 228,211 Times in 23,507 Posts	The (original) Haunting Dead Of Night (1945) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dead_of_Night The Sixth Sense __________________ "I've had it with them, I've had it with you, I've had it with ALL THIS - I WANT ROOM SERVICE!* I want the club sandwich, I want the cold Mexican beer, I want a $10,000-a-night hooker!"* Johnny Mnemonic (1995)

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April 11th, 2009, 02:15 PM	#3
sohtatexas Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 1,326 Thanks: 12,440 Thanked 61,901 Times in 1,608 Posts	The Legend of Hell House (1973) The Omen (1976) The Shining (1980) The Blair Witch Project (1999)

April 11th, 2009, 05:10 PM	#5
Drella Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 137 Thanks: 410 Thanked 1,528 Times in 137 Posts	I loved Beetlejuice when I was a kid. Bangkok Haunted was pretty good. The Eye (The Chinese version, not the crap remake).

April 12th, 2009, 11:36 AM	#6
avidfan Blocked! Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 171 Thanks: 164 Thanked 390 Times in 120 Posts	if you like ghost movies, you should take a look at what some asian countries produce-theyre very big on ghost stories and make some excellent films! how about the entity, the amytiville horror?

April 12th, 2009, 01:15 PM	#7
reiver58 Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 15 Thanks: 46 Thanked 127 Times in 13 Posts	I liked the Topper movies and the subsequent TV show, which included an alcoholic ghost ST Bernard named Neil and had "Mr Waverly" from "The Man from UNCLE" playing Topper. (Leo G Carroll). These are the Amazon reviews.... Topper 1937 A classic screwball comedy with a supernatural twist, Topper stars the incomparable Cary Grant and sparkling Constance Bennett as George and Marion Kirby, a fun-loving couple who cap an evening of jazz and champagne by running their car into a tree. They return as ghosts with a mandate to liven up the straight-laced hen-pecked life of bank president Cosmo Topper (Roland Young), who's hungry for just such a shake-up. Before long he's boozing, dancing, and getting into fights, all of which gives him a rakish reputation--much to the consternation of his wife (Billie Burke, best known as Glinda the Good Witch in The Wizard of Oz). --Bret Fetzer Topper Returns When bombshell Joan Blondell accompanies friend Carole Landis to her spooky family home and is murdered for her pains, she returns as a ghost bent upon the solution of her own murder--and enlists Roland Young (as Cosmo Topper) as an unlikely aide. The result is a wildly funny film that offers great performances from some of the finest screwball character actors of the period. Based on characters originally seen in the earlier TOPPER starring Cary Grant and Roland Young, TOPPER RETURNS is a broad take-off on the stereotypes of "old dark house" mysteries popular in the 1930s and 1940s--most particularly the classic CAT AND THE CANARY and THE BAT, which were noted for their black-costumed criminals and creepy mansions complete with secret passages, but also referencing Hitchcock's REBECCA. Blondell gives a typically lively performance as a ghost with attitude, and Young is perfectly cast as the mild-mannered banker she blackmails into assisting her. Carole Landis is also attractively cast as the heiress targeted for murder. But the real stars of TOPPER RETURNS are the supporting cast, most particularly Billie Burke, Patsy Kelly, and Eddie "Rochester" Anderson. Burke gives her sublime flair for the ridiculously absurd full reign in the role of Cosmo Topper's ditsy wife, and few could match Patsy Kelly's combination of drop-dead humor and double-take. But the real scene-stealer is Eddie Anderson, best known as Jack Benny's radio and television sidekick "Rochester." Although the actual script plays to racial stereotypes of the day, Anderson completely transcends its less savory aspects with a performance that is nothing short of comic genius, and it makes one wish the era in which he worked had afforded him broader opportunity. The entire family should enjoy TOPPER RETURNS, which plays at director Hal Roach's typically fast pace with nary a lag, and the special effects are fun to watch. The film is an overlooked comic gem and deserves a place in any collection

April 12th, 2009, 02:47 PM	#8
Wendigo Former Staff Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Blighty Posts: 113,771 Thanks: 259,876 Thanked 1,139,231 Times in 113,889 Posts	Although not scary I also loved the great Charles Laughton in the Canterville Ghost. I liked the way they used the music score in The Entity when the attacks occurred and the first Amityville movie was fairly decent, shame about the others. I'm not a great follower of Asian cinema but Ringu, the first Ring movie was pretty good. I prefer movies that set out to shock and manage to do so without going overboard on the viscera front. If you've any recommendations I'd appreciate it.

April 12th, 2009, 08:22 PM	#9
Wendigo Former Staff Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Blighty Posts: 113,771 Thanks: 259,876 Thanked 1,139,231 Times in 113,889 Posts	Just found Lost Hearts on youtube of all places part 1 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNHlDwot6_8 The other 3 parts are linked to that page. Damn those good for nothing lazy arsed managers at the BBC, this should have been part of a DVD collection a long time ago.