Der Geist und Mrs. Muir

Based upon the popular novel and 1947 film of the same name, "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir" ran for 50 episodes over two seasons (1968-70) as a romantic supernatural sitcom. The series stars young widowed writer Carolyn Muir (Hope Lange) who has rented Gull Cottage on the seashore near the fictional fishing village of Schooner Bay, Maine with her two children Jonathan (Harlen Carraher) and Candace (Kellie Flanagan), their maid Martha Grant (Reta Shaw), and the family Wire Fox Terrier dog Scruffy. Their comically kooky landlord Claymore Gregg (Charles Nelson Reilly) failed to mention that the house is haunted by his 19th century ancestor Captain Daniel Gregg (Edward Mulhare). The poltergeist is very selective in who he will appear to, but soon develops a fondness for Mrs. Muir, a chemistry that became the strength of the show. Lange won the Emmy Award for Lead Actress in a Comedy Series in both seasons.

Reflecting upon the series, "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir" was a romantic comedy in sitcom form. As such, it focused on being more lighthearted and romantic than laugh-out-loud comedic. More than any other word I find the show "charming". The performances of Hope Lange and Edward Mulhare were excellent. There was not one time while watching Mrs. Muir that I thought of her as being portrayed by an actress, and certainly one of the reasons she won an Emmy Award for her role both seasons. The oft-agitated ghost of Captain Gregg was played very well by Edward Mulhare in creating what I feel is the ghost you'd feel most comfortable being in your home. He might would irk you a time or two, but you'd never feel afraid.

It's hard to carry it off as a sitcom when the leads aren't the source of comedy. The writers didn't give much to the children, with Harlen Carraher's Jonathan being the center of a few episodes and Kellie Flanagan's Candace once. Reta Shaw's Martha was in a similar position. The lion's share of supporting performances went to Charles Nelson Reilly's Claymore. I feel Charles Nelson Reilly was a more capable comedian than nervously bumbling his way through an episode and thankfully the writers gave him more to work with on occasion. "Chowderhead" probably had the most comical premise, while "The Firehouse Five Plus Ghost" and "Tourist, Go Home" featured a number of slapstick gags. If you go into the series expecting merely light comedy and to be transported to a charming seaside village with well-executed, realistic characters then you'll enjoy "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir".

This was a great show that stayed true to the theme of the 1947 movie it was based on. Hope Lange did a wonderful job and Edward Mulhare made an awesome captain. Sadly, this lovely actress is no longer with us, but her smile could sure brighten up your day - as a boy, I looked forward to this show and was sad when it was cancelled after only two seasons - it deserved a longer run.

Originally done as a 1947 movie with Gene Tierney and Rex Harrison, The Ghost And Mrs. Muir came along at a time when fantasy on American TV was accepted. "I Dream of Jeannie", "Bewitched", and such, were hits, and it seemed that most audiences liked the escapist fare, especially at a time when most of what you saw on television at the time was protest, war, and death.

Hope Lange and Edward Mulhare were capable leads, and the story lines would deal with the age old question of, "how do we keep the neighbors from finding out we have a ghost!"

This was also one of the few show that, like "Taxi", and "JAG" many years later, would jump from one network to another. Sadly "Ghost", and "Taxi" died right after the move, where "JAG" survived and (as of July 2002) still had life left in it.

I was only a kid when this show aired, but I loved it! It was romantic and funny at the same time, and Hope Lange and Edward Mulhare had real electricity between them. "Bewitched" and "I Dream of Jeannie" were so much alike, yet this show had the opposite idea: It was the man who had the supernatural powers, not the woman! But it also followed the same idea of having a beautiful blonde as the lead female. Although it was similar to the above mentioned shows, it was still different enough to be unique and definitely much more romantic!! And it had something extra: Charles Nelson Reily, a hilarious comedic actor. I was crushed when this charming show was canceled, but I recently found it on video after 33 years and it is just as wonderful as when it was first aired! I hope one of the networks runs this show for everyone to see. Nothing on TV today can compare to it. A first-rate romantic, funny sitcom!

This is where I first remember being introduced to the comedy of Charles Nelson Reilly, a first-rate actor! This series kept me spellbound, with the usual fascination of ghosts and old houses as a young child, plus the great Hope Lange who would not be scared of this house and stood down the "old captain" that inhabited this house - and who in return had to deal with this new owner that would not go away! This is another show that should be brought back, and that never seems to be seen anymore, leaving one to wonder why this series is not brought back with its top-rate talent, and why the network was stupid enough to cancel this series after two seasons? Oh well, at least Charles Nelson Reilly was on Lidsville with Butch Patrick, so us kids could enjoy his comedy more after that!