The Smiling Ghost

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.

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.

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.

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")?

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.