Verlobung mit dem Tod

Among all the Hollywood studios of the '30s and '40s, Warner Bros. excelled at churning out slick, swift, polished 'B' comedy-thrillers (see the 4 Nancy Drew treats for further evidence). "The Smiling Ghost" is a perfect example of this genre. This nifty, nutty 1941 charmer packs more entertainment value into 71 minutes than most of today's films do in 2-hours-plus. The ever-gorgeous Alexis Smith plays a wealthy heiress whose fiances have always met with ghastly fates before the nuptuals. In a plot to unravel the killer's identity, poor Wayne Morris is duped into impersonating her new betrothed. All the standard ingredients are hauled out and refreshened--a gloomy dark mansion, secret passageways, sliding panels, and, as the title promises, the genuinely eerie apparition of a "smiling ghost." Done to a turn by an engaging cast, one wonders why the handsome, appealing and wryly comic Wayne Morris never achieved full-fledged stardom, and why did it take another 30 years for the dazzling Alexis Smith to be duly celebrated (on Broadway in 1971's "Follies")?

Wayne Morris answers an ad and is inclined to accept a job offer that pays an easy $1000. He just wants to know—"$1000 to do what?" The prospective employer's answer: "To be engaged for one month to my granddaughter." –It sounds okay, but Morris isn't told up front that said granddaughter's fiancés tend to mysteriously succumb to a "smiling ghost curse."

A fun cast hams it up in this lively and none-too-serious old dark house comedy. Morris is earnest, slightly smart-alecky, a very likable hero. Two leading ladies give spirited performances: Alexis Smith is the rich girl whose fiancés don't last long, and Brenda Marshall the intrepid reporter who shows up to snoop around.

Willie Best, in a larger role than his usual bit part, is hilarious as Morris's reluctant assistant. Alan Hale is lots of fun as a gun- toting butler.

The plot is not exactly original but it moves at a nice quick pace. The actors seem to be enjoying themselves and the entertaining dialog they're delivering. ("Why," Smith snaps at Marshall as they discuss their beau Morris, "every look you give him you could pour on a waffle.")

The production values of this Warner Bros. B are a step above any number of otherwise similar Monogram pictures, but it really doesn't take itself any more seriously—which is why it works.

A worthwhile 70 minutes, especially for connoisseurs of the comedy-mystery B picture genre.

A surprisingly snappy little mystery comedy with Wayne Morris in his juvenile days sporting a patented brand of big guy innocence that he was very good with. Shortly afterward he went off to be a Navy flier and war hero, only to return to a Hollywood that had turned cold. Brenda Marshall plays a spunky, sassy reporter and is sexier than Alexis Smith which is no mean achievement. Willie Best shows why the prevailing racial attitudes kept a major talent from blossoming. He was truly a great comedian underneath the necessary character feature of a low I.Q. that all black actors of the day had to assume.Here, he's not quite so dumb and gets to use his formidable physical skills. I would urge to pull the curtain back a bit if you can and realize what a waste of talent it all was. No reason to go into the plot, its a farce with many funny lines and a very eccentric family which is a mainstay of many comedies of the 30s and 40s. Crisp, silly and warming.

A man is hired (for $1000) to be engaged to a beautiful heiress for a month. Unbeknowst to him, she is known as the "Kiss of Death" girl, and every one of her 3 previous suitors has been murdered by "the Smiling Ghost".

An excellent, eerie "old house" film with secret panels, a midnite opening of a family crypt, the great "scared reaction' antics of Willie Best, and (of COURSE!) the creepy-looking "smiling ghost" all make this a top-notch yarn.

DEFINITELY worth seeing!

Norm

This is a light hearted, get away movie from the early 40s. Black and white "B" fare that lets your mind relax for awhile. A beautiful Heiress(Alexis Smith) has trouble getting married, because her husbands-to-be seem to never make it to the altar. A bumbling rube(Wayne Morris) is hired to be a decoy groom to bring the identity of the villain to light.

Also in the cast are Alan Hale, Brenda Marshall and Willie Best.