Jean Parker flirts with a ghostly Robert Donat. Image: Alamy
Have you ever worked on a project that suffered from constant interference from your boss?
Some bosses can’t help themselves, we suppose. They hire a talented individual then insist on micromanaging them, which is almost never a good idea.
Ask René Clair, the acclaimed French director who was hired by British film producer Alexander Korda for a three-picture contract.
One of those films was The Ghost Goes West (1935), about a ghost doomed to haunt his family’s ancestral castle – even when an American millionaire buys said castle, dismantles it, and reassembles it in Florida.
This was one of the top-grossing films in Britain in 1936, although why it was is beyond us. Despite a charming premise and a terrific first half, the film soon stumbles over inconsistent pacing and lack of momentum.
The most frustrating thing is not the plot holes; it’s the film’s refusal to Run Amok with some potentially hilarious situations. It feels like it wants to be a screwball comedy, but can’t be bothered.
The Ghost Goes West was Clair’s first English-language film, and that may account for some of its awkwardness, but there’s also producer Korda’s meddling. He was notorious for fiddling with his directors’ projects, including this one, where he reworked some of Clair’s completed scenes.
Happily, the film stars the dashing and popular British actor, Robert Donat, so All is Not Lost.
Donat prior to the Unfortunate Cannon Incident. Image: Movie Mem
Donat plays dual roles, the first being an eighteenth-century Scottish nobleman more interested in seducing women than going to war against the English. But when he’s blown to smithereens by an errant cannon ball, he’s forced to spend eternity wandering around Glourie Castle, his ancestral home.
The only way out of this purgatory is to exact revenge on a member of his rival clan to resuscitate the good name of the Glouries.
Donat’s second role is the twentieth-century Glourie, the last member of the clan, who lives in the now rundown castle, dodging creditors and trying to unload the property for quick cash.
Happily, a visiting American (Jean Parker) falls in love with the castle and persuades her father, Grocery King millionaire Eugene Pallette to buy it.
(Note: Apparently there were American millionaires in the early twentieth century who really did buy European castles and reconstruct them in the U.S.)
Pallette can’t wait to incite envy in his grocery store competitor, while his self-proclaimed psychic wife senses a weird vibe about the place. Our gal Parker flirts with both the modern and antique Donat, and that makes her the busiest person in the film.
News of the impending sale is gladly welcomed by Donat’s creditors, who donate their goods and services to a sumptuous sales-pitch banquet for the Americans, resulting in one of the funniest scenes in the film.
But! The Glourie ghost makes an appearance at the castle each midnight, so the modern Donat must hide this supernatural quirk from the Americans.
Eugene Palette goes castle shopping. Image: Alamy
Donat is very funny as the ancient Glourie, a ladies’ man with cheesy pick-up lines – even for the 1700s. He plays this character with gusto in the first half of the film, but his character loses steam when he starts to ask pater Glourie (an ethereal micromanager based in heaven) about every stinkin’ decision.
Donat-the-modern Glourie has a natural screen presence; he doesn’t appear to be Acting at all. His dual roles allow him to be both the comic and the straight man in this environment of ambitious Americans and grumbling creditors.
The Ghost Goes West has delightful characters – especially the competitive Pallette and the underutilized Elsa Lanchester – but even these folks can’t save the film. We feel the whole thing ultimately accomplishes little, despite an amusing twist at the end, but you may disagree.
Even so, it’s a must for Robert Donat fans. In an atmosphere of micromanagement, you need this kind of suave, dashing Brit.
♣
This post is part of the The ROBERT DONAT Blogathon, hosted by Maddy Loves Her Classic Films.
The Ghost Goes West: starring Robert Donat, Jean Parker, Eugene Pallette. Directed by René Clair. Written by Robert Sherwood. London Film Productions, 1935, B&W, 95 mins.
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Hello Ruth. I don’t know much about Donat. Was he in many well-known movies besides Mr. Chips?
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He was in Alfred Hitchcock’s The 39 Steps, but that was made in Britain before he went to Hollywood. Donat was a very popular leading man in Britain in the 1930s.
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This event is a great place to learn more about Robert Donat! That’s why I got in 🙂
https://maddylovesherclassicfilms.wordpress.com/2020/07/03/the-robert-donat-blogathon-begins/
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I hear you – I’ve always liked Robert Donat, and this is a great opportunity to learn more about his films.
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Ohhhh, I’m gonna have to see this based solely on your review. The movie’s not gonna live up to that though is it…..:) Your writing style….the best!
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Thanks, you! I thought the first half of the film was terrific, but then it lost its cham, sadly.
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Another troupe I like, meddling bosses. So interesting about the castles. My parents met at a resort castle but I looked it up and it was built, not imported.
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Your parents met at a castle? That sounds so romantic!
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The first time I saw The Ghost Goes West was on TVO’s Magic Shadows with Elwy Yost. I admit that my thinking all those years ago was along your lines. Missed opportunities for guffaws and sputtered to the final instalment. Nonetheless, as you spoke about Donat the spirit asking for guidance in his decision making I could hear Donat’s voice shouting “Father, Father.”
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While I was watching it, I kept wondering what Could Have Been, especially if René Clair had filmed it in France.
Thanks to you, I’ve been watching some Elwy Yost intros on YouTube. I can see why he still has so many fans.
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This one is such fun. Robert is what makes it work I think, despite all its flaws. Great to see him in a duel role. Robert was such a natural that you never ever catch him acting. Thanks for helping me celebrate Roberts life and career. Hope all good with you, Ruth.
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As great as the supporting cast is, I can’t imagine this film without our Robert. Like you said, he’s terrific in these two roles.
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I agree! There was a lot of untapped potential here, especially considering the great cast. I’m not sure it was a good fit Clair, whose best films were more whimsical (e.g., Le Million, I Married a Witch, It Happened Tomorrow). Still, it’s certainly watchable.
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Yeah, I know what you mean about this not being the best fit for Clair because, as you said, he is wonderful when it comes to the whimsical. I have a copy of his silent, The Italian Straw Hat which I adore.
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I studied Clair’s Entr’ Acte in university of part of my film degree but I haven’t really seen any of his more mainstream later stuff. This sounds like a lot of fun even if it’s a bit of a mess!
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Entr’Acte is breathtaking! I saw it for the first time just recently, and was blown away. I haven’t seen many René Clair films, which is something I need to rectify.
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Only seen Donat in the 39 Steps, but the plot of this film reminded me of another in which a ghost haunts its last abode…the 2017 “A Ghost Story.”
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Thanks for the heads up. I hadn’t heard oh “A Ghost Story” before – will check it out!
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Never heard of this one. Another great post to spark my interest!
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This film has a lot of fun moments, and some beautiful costumes.
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What a great post once again. I appreciate learning about another Rene’ Clair film I haven’t seen. This one has such a curious premise that I’m intrigued. I really enjoyed Donat in “The 39 Steps” and “Knight Without Armor” with Dietrich. I’d like to see what he could do in this film!
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Donat is terrific in “The 39 Steps”, isn’t he? I’ve yet to see “Knight Without Armour”, but I did just see a copy on YouTube which I bookmarked – thanks! As for this film, I hope you can find a decent copy. There is one on YouTube, but the quality ain’t great.
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Ah yes, the producer from The Third Man. Clair got off relatively easy. You could do a whole series on The Magnificent Ambersons. Poor Orson.
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Oh yes, I think you’re right about The Magnificent Ambersons – a whole series indeed.
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