Ghost and Mr. Chicken
1966 | Color | 90 Minutes | 2.35:1 | G | Family/Comedy | Mono | Universal Pictures
Director:
Alan Rafkin
Writers:
James Fritzell
Everett Greenbaum
Stars:
Don Knotts
Joan Staley
Liam Redmond
Luther Heggs, a meek, timid typesetter for a smalltown newspaper, envisions himself in his daydreams as a reporter worthy of winning the love of Alma Parker. His chance comes when he writes an article on the local "haunted house," where a gruesome murder and suicide took place 20 years earlier. The newspaper piece creates such a stir that Luther's editor, George Beckett, orders him to spend a night in the old house and do a followup story. During the long vigil, the terrified Luther discovers a hidden staircase, a bloodstained organ that plays by itself, and a portrait dripping blood. When his story is published, Luther is given a town picnic in honor of his courage. Nick Simmons, a descendant of the murdered couple and the current owner of the old house, sues Luther and his paper for libel. At the trial, the judge makes the jurors and all involved parties pay a visit to the deserted mansion. Although nothing is found, Luther accidentally tricks Mr. Simmons into revealing his own guilt in the 20-year-old killings, and Luther once again becomes the town hero.
Here are some fun facts
One of the few American films shot in the Technicolor Corporation's Techniscope wide screen process. The wide screen effect was achieved by essentially splitting the usual film frame horizontally into two smaller frames with a greater width to height ratio. It was inexpensive, but yielded a grainy image, which probably explains why it was seldom used in Hollywood.
Director: Alan Rafkin
Writers:
James Fritzell
Everett Greenbaum
Stars:
Don Knotts
Joan Staley
Liam Redmond
Luther Heggs, a meek, timid typesetter for a smalltown newspaper, envisions himself in his daydreams as a reporter worthy of winning the love of Alma Parker. His chance comes when he writes an article on the local "haunted house," where a gruesome murder and suicide took place 20 years earlier. The newspaper piece creates such a stir that Luther's editor, George Beckett, orders him to spend a night in the old house and do a followup story. During the long vigil, the terrified Luther discovers a hidden staircase, a bloodstained organ that plays by itself, and a portrait dripping blood. When his story is published, Luther is given a town picnic in honor of his courage. Nick Simmons, a descendant of the murdered couple and the current owner of the old house, sues Luther and his paper for libel. At the trial, the judge makes the jurors and all involved parties pay a visit to the deserted mansion. Although nothing is found, Luther accidentally tricks Mr. Simmons into revealing his own guilt in the 20-year-old killings, and Luther once again becomes the town hero.
Here are some fun facts
One of the few American films shot in the Technicolor Corporation's Techniscope wide screen process. The wide screen effect was achieved by essentially splitting the usual film frame horizontally into two smaller frames with a greater width to height ratio. It was inexpensive, but yielded a grainy image, which probably explains why it was seldom used in Hollywood.
The mansion seen in the opening shots is also best known at the home of the Munsters in the TV show, "The Munsters."
The street used for the film was also used in The Burbs.
And to get you in the mood here is the the main tile song from the soundtrack.
Wow! That street has been used for a lot of shows and movies. Aside from being in The 'Burbs, it was also "Wisteria Lane" for the Desperate Housewives. When I watch The 'Burbs I like to pin point which house each of the housewives "lived in". :) I'm sure those houses have been used for even more films/shows.
ReplyDeleteI'd actually love to see The 'Burbs on Svengoolie some time! I'm sure Sven could think up a fun song to go with that movie.