Margaret O’Brien with the ghostly Charles Laughton. Image: Cinema for all Tastes
In 1944, before the D-Day landing and while WWII was still grinding on, MGM made a heartwarming movie about American soldiers successfully diffusing a notorious British ghost.
The Canterville Ghost (1944) stars Robert Young, as an affable US soldier, and Charles Laughton as a blue-blooded apparition who’s been haunting a castle for centuries.
It also stars Margaret O’Brien as a winsome, six-year-old aristocrat who befriends Young and Laughton, and becomes a redemption catalyst for both men.
But we’re getting ahead of ourselves.
O’Brien’s family owns the castle where Laughton resides, which generates tourism revenue thanks to the ghostly presence. Folks make pilgrimage from across the UK to see the castle and be spooked by its flamboyant phantom. (The movie introduces Laughton’s character thus: “This remarkable apparition has manifested itself in a spectacular variety of forms and guises, each more awe-inspiring than the other…”)
However, war rages on the continent, and the Canterville family has moved out of the castle so the American Army can house infantrymen. This is where Young and pals stride into the movie, full of bravado and jokes, and they make a game of scaring Laughton half to death (ha ha).
Young, in fact, isn’t afraid of anything – until he discovers a secret that paralyzes his Nerve.
As for Laughton, when he was a flesh-and-blood human, he performed an act so cowardly it brought immense shame to his family. Now, in death he is sentenced to roaming the halls of the castle until a Canterville performs an act of bravery.
It’s not looking promising. To put things in perspective, Laughton’s character has been dead for over 300 years, which shows you the stuff of which the Cantervilles are made.
Unauthorized personnel joyriding in an army jeep. Image: Posteritati
Despite the marvelous premise, The Canterville Ghost is not a very good movie. The tone is uneven, as though it can’t decide if it wants to be a screwball comedy, a parable of bravery, or a lighthearted ghost story.
But that’s not to say there aren’t things to admire. Laughton, despite wearing the most ridiculous mustache on film, has moments that are deeply moving. He also delivers the most pompous lines in the best Charles-Laughton-esque manner, e.g. “What keeps the poppinjay?” and “That colonial ruffian?”
Young, too, has brilliant moments. For example, look at the scene where it occurs to him he may be a coward. Worse, he realizes his cowardice will define him on the battlefield. Yet, not a word is spoken; Young conveys this with a single look, and it’s masterfully done.
O’Brien, too, has a somewhat troubling scene in the film, a bout of hysteria as she kicks at an unexploded bomb, daring it to explode. (It’s reminiscent of her famous snowman scene in 1944’s Meet Me in St. Louis). Her out-of-control emotion really unnerves us: If Margaret O’Brien is Losing It, things are dire indeed.
A rogues’ gallery of cowards. Image: Pinterest
The Canterville Ghost is based Oscar Wilde’s first published story, which was released as a two-part “serial” in 1887. In Wilde’s yarn, an American family buys the castle in which the famous ghost resides. Unfortunately for the ghost’s reputation, the Americans refuse to be intimidated by his hauntings. As if that weren’t mortifying enough, the younger sons start to play mean tricks on the apparition.
Wilde’s story also has a young girl who takes pity on the ghost, which leads to a resolution of his situation.
In these ways, the 1944 movie draws upon the short story, and expands on it. For example, there is no mention of cowardly descendants in Wilde’s story, nor is there much explanation as to why the ghost is stuck roaming the castle halls.
There have been many adaptations of this story, including The Ghost Goes West (1935), a Bollywood version (2008’s Bhoothnath), and an animated British version released in 2023, starring Stephen Fry. It’s also been adapted several times for television, radio, and the stage.
While we can’t entirely recommend the 1944 version of The Canterville Ghost, it is a Must if you have a yen for outlandish costumes, which Laughton wears with the Utmost Confidence.
The Canterville Ghost starring Charles Laughton, Robert Young, Margaret O’Brien. Directed by Jules Dassin (and Norman Z. McLeod). Written by Edwin Blum. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1944, B&W, 95 mins.
I’ve always loved Wilde’s short story Canterville Ghost, it’s so funny, but since it is actually very short it is not easy to make a movie out of it. This one with Charles Laughton I’m afraid will be impossible for me to find, but I will anything I can to find the Stephen Fry version.
Yes, I’m looking for the Stephen Fry version, too. I have high hopes!
Alsi: Sorry to hear the Laughton version isn’t available. It’s not the greatest movie, but Laughton’s appearance is almost worth the price of admission.
Charles Laughton and Margaret O’Brien are terrific here. I agree that the film isn’t really that good. My favourite adaptation is the 1996 film, starring Patrick Stewart and Neve Campbell. That one is very moving and beautiful.
There’s a version from the 1930s with the dashing Robert Donat, and that one has a Scottish ghost. If David Niven was in an adaptation, I must see it ASAP!
I have watched every version of the The Canterville Ghost except for this one. I love Margaret O’Brien. I really need to watch this version soon. Loved your post! -A Vintage Nerd xox
I hope you get the chance to see this version. Margaret O’Brien is her usual amazing self here. And Robert Young & Charles Laughton are a great screen pairing, which I didn’t expect.
Haven’t seen this but I will. I just wanted to add how cool that so many bloggers chose light-hearted or romantic hauntings for this blogathon, I’m getting some new titles for my neverending watchlist.
I enjoyed reading your story about this version of the film. As you said, it’s not perfect but it is fun and sweet. You made me smile with your thoughts about young Margaret O’Brien. The film really needs her to succeed. Thanks for joining in the blogathon. – Toni
I’m a fan of this film, mostly due to O’Brien and Laughton. Despite his insane mustache that looks like an electrocuted ferret, Laughton really delivers in this film, which adds immensely to its charm. Fun piece, Ruth. Thanks for adding this to the blogathon!
I can’t say I’ll be breaking all speed records to hunt this one down (although I do consider myself a fan of the three principals), but I absolutely loved your review — and you made me laugh out loud with this: “If Margaret O’Brien is Losing It, things are dire indeed.” Ha! Good stuff, as always, Ruth.
Silver Screenings 
I’ve always loved Wilde’s short story Canterville Ghost, it’s so funny, but since it is actually very short it is not easy to make a movie out of it. This one with Charles Laughton I’m afraid will be impossible for me to find, but I will anything I can to find the Stephen Fry version.
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Yes, I’m looking for the Stephen Fry version, too. I have high hopes!
Alsi: Sorry to hear the Laughton version isn’t available. It’s not the greatest movie, but Laughton’s appearance is almost worth the price of admission.
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The Canterville Ghost is such a great story, this film version has its flaws, but there are still lots of moment to enjoy from it.
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You’re right. There are lots of wonderful moments in this film. I’d definitely watch it again for those scenes – and Charles Laughton’s mustache.
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Charles Laughton and Margaret O’Brien are terrific here. I agree that the film isn’t really that good. My favourite adaptation is the 1996 film, starring Patrick Stewart and Neve Campbell. That one is very moving and beautiful.
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Laughton and O’Brien do have wonderful scenes together, don’t they? They’re two pros who make acting look easy.
Thanks for the heads-up re: the 1996 Stewart-Campbell version.
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I think I saw a remake of this with David Niven or I dreamt it.. does the ghost have a Scottish accent?
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There’s a version from the 1930s with the dashing Robert Donat, and that one has a Scottish ghost. If David Niven was in an adaptation, I must see it ASAP!
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Yay, wasn’t dreaming – thanks for the reminder… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zzu8g4l-kg
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Even if the film itself is uneven, I’m always up for the awesomeness of Charles Laughton.
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Me too. You can’t not take your eyes of Charles Laughton when he’s on the screen.
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I have watched every version of the The Canterville Ghost except for this one. I love Margaret O’Brien. I really need to watch this version soon. Loved your post! -A Vintage Nerd xox
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I hope you get the chance to see this version. Margaret O’Brien is her usual amazing self here. And Robert Young & Charles Laughton are a great screen pairing, which I didn’t expect.
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Haven’t seen this but I will. I just wanted to add how cool that so many bloggers chose light-hearted or romantic hauntings for this blogathon, I’m getting some new titles for my neverending watchlist.
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I hear you. Lots of well-known movies to add to my list, too.
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This film played on TV fairly regularly when I was a child and I remember really enjoying it 😊
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There are a lot of fun scenes. I love that they cast Charles Laughton as the ghost.
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Your review is better than the movie! Margaret O’Brien falls into the same category – for me – as Lillian Gish – she scare the pants off me.
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I know what you mean re: Margaret O’Brien. When she Loses It in this movie and starts kicking the bomb, it’s disturbing.
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I enjoyed reading your story about this version of the film. As you said, it’s not perfect but it is fun and sweet. You made me smile with your thoughts about young Margaret O’Brien. The film really needs her to succeed. Thanks for joining in the blogathon. – Toni
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You said it, Toni. This film does need Margaret O’Brien to succeed – both as a character and as an actress.
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I’m a fan of this film, mostly due to O’Brien and Laughton. Despite his insane mustache that looks like an electrocuted ferret, Laughton really delivers in this film, which adds immensely to its charm. Fun piece, Ruth. Thanks for adding this to the blogathon!
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Bahaha! Yes, Laughton’s mustache DOES look like an electrocuted ferret. Brilliant!
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I’m ready to see this for the cast, the premise, also, outlandish costumes. Triple winner! Thanks for this fun read, Ruth.
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Charles Laughton wears his outlandish costumes and mustache like a king. There’s much to enjoy in this movie, and I hope you get the chance to see it.
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I can’t say I’ll be breaking all speed records to hunt this one down (although I do consider myself a fan of the three principals), but I absolutely loved your review — and you made me laugh out loud with this: “If Margaret O’Brien is Losing It, things are dire indeed.” Ha! Good stuff, as always, Ruth.
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This is a crazy movie. There’s a lot about it to appreciate, but I feel the Robert Donat version, made a few years earlier, is the better film.
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Yeah, this movie was definitely goofy but fun. Ah, Charles Laughton…
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Charles Laughton was truly one of the best, wasn’t he?
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He was! Very interesting fellow.
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