Ghost Writer

Pure silliness is often under-rated but shouldn't be. All the high-tech, high concept, serious, sharply-witty movies have their place, but so do the simply silly flicks and this is one of them. Watch it. It's therapeutic and stop taking yourself so seriously. The doctor has spoken.

What a fun and cute movie. Totally loved it. Very entertaining, engaging, and funny. A must see. They don't make em like this anymore.

My review was written in October 1989 after watching the film on Prism video cassette.

"Ghost Writer" is an overly timid romantic comedy, made as a feature for home video fans but emerging closer to the tone of a network tv movie.

Casting of sisters Audrey and Judy Landers works well (their mom, Ruth Landers, is pic's executive producer). Audrey is a magazine writer seeking peace and quiet at a beach house in Malibu that turns out to be haunted by her aunt's half-sister, Billie Blaine. Ghost role is a p;astiche on Marilyn Monroe, well played by Judy in her familiar ditzy blonde persona.

Audrey writes interview stories with Blaine, attributing them to a journal she found. Instad of being a suicide, it turns out Blaine was murdered by a mobster (Anthony Franciosa) who now is eaer tgo get his hands on the nonexistent journal. At first only Auidrey can see the ghost, but later havoc begins when it becomes visible to others.

Comedy hre is light, ditto the scares in a silly climax shot at the Movieland Wax Museum. Both Landers sisters get to sing on the soundtrack, and their performances are perfectly in character.

Unfortunately, video fans are likely to get restless at filmmaker Kennth J. Hall's overly chaste handling of risque scenes involving Judy Landers, undoubtedly a function of having mama in charge.

Tech credits are fine, but large supporting cast, ranging from the late John Matuszak to the Barbarian Brothers (Peter and David Paul) has little to do.

I freely admit I saw "Ghost Writer". I also admit there was absolutely nothing else to do the day I saw it. But nothing can make me admit that it improved on the spectacle of watching paint dry. In fact, if given a choice between the two, satin latex would win out.

The Landers sisters (Audrey and Judy) have talent; they sing, they're sexy, they created "The Huggabug Club" (Did I spell that right? No matter). But you gotta wonder about a movie that features the charms of both these ladies and the actor you remember best from it is Joey Travolta. Maybe Scientology can explain it....

The story, like it mattered, deals with a reporter (Audrey L.) who is the only one who can see the ghost of a murdered actress (Judy L.) and is the only one who can help prove she was bumped off by her shady ex-boyfriend (Franciosa).

Like I said, the story doesn't matter; it's only a showcase for the Landers sisters. But is it a good one? Have you seen "Stewardess School"? If so, be warned: it ain't that good. Half a star. I'd give it no stars but, bless their hearts, the girls try.

It's funny, silly, and entertaining. Anything the Landers sisters are in is a big favorite in my house. My wife spent months trying to find this on dvd. Now we can finally watch it whenever we want to.