El fantasma sonriente

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.

I remember with fond 'scariness' this definitive film of the early 40s. It had the unseen murderer, the witless hero, the beguiling heroine and the bulging eyes of the hero's assistant.

It still remains a film that may be viewed with pleasure. It has all the elements of the 'scary' - darkened night - sliding panels - a gauche hero - humour and wit. It may lack the suspense of the Spiral Staircase, but it still remains a film worthy to be seen.

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.

This is one of those films you dont hear alot about...but that said this is one GREAT! little film...Wayne Morris absolutely shines as the comic hero "Lucky Downing" and Willie Best give his usual excellent performance as Luckys Valet Clarence...It,s all about an heiress whos lost a few beau,s to shall we say "misfortune" Lucky answers an ad in the paper by the young ladys Grandmother.. Soon he and Clarence are enveloped in a mystery set in an old spooky mansion..with a cast of family characters who are all kooky or sinister in some fashion....Not a film that takes itself seriously, this is one of those comedy-horror gems that you can really enjoy on a dark night or a rainy day....definitely give this an 8******** on a 10 scale..try it you wont be dissapointed.

I saw this film 58 years ago so don't expect any vivid detail but as I saw it with a group of my contemporaries i recall the atmosphere of the occasion with great clarity. It was a "B" feature(something that has disappeared from the cinema now)a filler before the main film and it was an example of a genre very dear to our hearts at the time-the comedy thriller.Very much in the mould of The Cat and the Canary(I refer to the Bob Hope version of course) it was chock full of one-liners,sliding panels and eccentric characters not the least of whom was the wonderful Willie Best.Even after all these years I can still remember his words when he catches sight of the eponymous apparition.Overtaking a galloping horse he wails "Move over horse.Make way for someone who can really run".It gave us all a lot of fun then and some recollected pleasure now for me anyway.