Introduction
Welcome to my corner! This week I'm sharing my thoughts on the film The Smiling Ghost. The TCM television channel played The Smiling Ghost as part of their 'SUTS - Alexis Smith' lineup on August 29. SUTS stands for Summer Under the Stars, in which TCM features movies with said star all day. Enjoy!
The Smiling Ghost
The Smiling Ghost is a 1941 American horror comedy film directed by Lewis Seiler and starring Wayne Morris, Alexis Smith, and Alan Hale. It was produced and distributed by Warner Bros. In the film, a woman has lost three fiancés to mysterious accidents. The press has circulated rumors that she is haunted by the so-called "Smiling Ghost." Her grandmother decides to hire an unemployed engineer to pose as the woman's fourth fiancé. The man is soon targeted by the supposed ghost but suspects that a vengeful former fiancé is behind the attacks.
Plot: Lucky is hired to become engaged to Elinor, a wealthy widow. He learns she is nicknamed "The Kiss of Death Girl" after her last three fiancés die violently; Lucky tries to survive after a mysterious figure makes attempts on his life.
Acting: Wayne Morris played Alexander "Lucky" Downing. I personally liked his performance as the dimwitted, funny leading man. The Smiling Ghost was Wayne Morris' last movie before he went off to World War II. He would go on to become an ace U.S. Navy fighter pilot. He was awarded four Distinguished Flying Crosses and two Air Medals. He wouldn't appear in another film until 1947 in Deep Valley (1947). His four most notable titles are Paths of Glory, The Smiling Ghost, Kid Galahad and The House Across the Street.
Brenda Marshall played Lil Barstow. I like a headstrong woman who can think and act for herself. Marshall played the part of Lil nicely. Her most notable titles are The Sea Hawk, Strange Impersonation, Singapore Woman and Espionage Agent.
Willie Best played Clarence. Best was the Best part of this movie. His comedic acting paired beautifully with the writing. I would watch The Smiling Ghost over and over just for him. Best was given on-screen credit in the original theatrical trailer. On the film, his name does not appear in the opening credits scene despite his prominent role in the film (although he is properly included in the cast list at the end, billed eighth). Considering the times, I'd say Best was probably fairly successful for a black man, but it's a shame that his talent and career couldn't flourish past the comedic servant role. His four most notable titles are The Hidden Hand, The Ghost Breakers, Nothing but the Truth and High Sierra.
Alexis Smith played Elinor Bentley. Her role was a bit ambiguous; Elinor wasn't exactly the protagonist, but she also wasn't the antagonist, and her role in the film wasn't minor either. She ends up being the love rival of Lil for Lucky's affection. I think Smith played the role well. Her four most notable titles are The Age of Innocence, The Woman in White, Conflict and The Constant Nymph.
Technical Aspects: Warner Brothers made this film, a B-Grade "quickie" in hopes of emulating the success of the previous year's Paramount horror comedy hit, The Ghost Breakers (1940). That film was among Bob Hope's biggest box office hits, and co-starred him with Paulette Godard, Anthony Quinn and Willie Best (who plays Clarence in The Smiling Ghost) as Hope's knock-kneed, wise-cracking man-servant, but results were so pitiable there was no comparison.
From TCM: Warner Brothers' answer to Paramount's successful horror comedy The Cat and the Canary (1939) adheres to the established genre pattern: a good natured goofball (Wayne Morris, subbing for Bob Hope) and his African American pal (Willie Best, who had partnered with Hope in The Ghost Breakers [1941]) take up residence in a spooky mansion where "black widow" Alexis Smith wants to know why her last three husbands have met with horrible fates. Based on an original story by Stuart Palmer (author of the Hildegarde Withers mystery novels, which garnered their own film series at RKO), The Smiling Ghost is a derivative but charming stuff, rich in sliding panels, clutching hands, and characters who are not all they claim to be. Hollywood's original Kid Galahad (1937) — Elvis Presley would play the role in 1962 — beefy Wayne Morris left movies behind him to enlist in World War II after making The Smiling Ghost, which was released just three months prior to the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Though deemed too big for flight school, Morris pulled enough strings to get him into the cockpit of a Navy Hellcat and was credited with shooting down several Japanese flyers in combat and aiding in the sinking of several Japanese battleships. The decorated war hero died prematurely in 1959 at age 45 but not before being cast against type as a cowardly army lieutenant in Stanley Kubrick's blistering anti-war I drama Paths of Glory (1957).
Final Thoughts: While it may not be an award-winning movie on any account, it is still a fun watch suitable for the whole family and perfect for spooky season. Although it's listed as a horror comedy, it's mostly only comedy with a little bit of spook thrown in.
Willie Best as Clarence is hands down the best part of this movie. His is so funny! His relationship with Wayne Morris' character Lucky is also great. Best and Morris make this film worth the watch.
If you're looking for a family friendly spooky movie to watch during this season, then look no further than The Smiling Ghost. Adults and kids will love the laugh.
Where to watch it: According to Google, The Smiling Ghost is not currently available on any streaming service. But you can purchase or rent a digital copy for a few dollars. I've also donated a DVD copy of the film to the Emil M. Larson Public Library in Clark for you all to enjoy if you choose to.
That's it for this week! What were your thoughts? Feel free to share them with us! You can call us, email us, visit us at the office, leave us a comment or message on Facebook, or even mail us something. Keep the comments, suggestions, questions, submissions, etc. coming our way! We'd love to hear from you!
