# Ghost and Mrs. Muir, The (1947)

### reviewed by
Brian Koller

    The Ghost and Mrs. Muir (1947)

    Grade: 64

"The Ghost and Mrs. Muir" wasn't so much a ghost story as it was a romantic fantasy. Starring lovely Gene Tierney and imposing Rex Harrison, the film's theme was platonic love overcoming even the barriers of death. This theme was so successful that the story has been frequently reprised. It was remade as "Stranger in the Night" in 1955, and it became a 1960s sitcom, and even a short-running Broadway musical.

What made "Muir" a winner wasn't just the story, however. The script was competent, the Bernard Herrmann score was good, and the casting was inspired. Tierney is perfect as the prim, headstrong Victorian heroine, and Harrison is perfect as the salty but benevolent sea captain ghost. Always droll George Sanders has an entertaining part, and Natalie Wood fans will enjoy her role as Tierney's young daughter.

The film had a major production problem: Tierney broke her ankle shortly before filming was to begin. After shooting around the problem, the cast was taken off prematurely forcing Tierney to walk about in pain.

The story has newly widowed Tierney leaving her obnoxious in-laws to live in a sea-side home haunted by Harrison. Also with Tierney is Wood and outspoken housekeeper Edna Best. Harrison and Tierney soon develop a romantic friendship. Best and Wood are apparently unconcerned that she spends hours talking to herself alone in a room.

When money becomes short, Tierney publishes Harrison's memoirs, leading to her acquaintance with lecherous children's author Sanders. Tierney must choose between Harrison and Sanders, who proves to be a cad. He eventually gets his comeuppance, though, as according to Tierney he became "bald and fat and drank too much. He was crying, and his wife had finally left him". Ah, sweet revenge. Only in the movies is it so perfect.

"The Ghost and Mrs. Muir" was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Cinematography (Charles Lang).

kollers@mpsi.net http://members.tripod.com/~Brian_Koller/movies.html

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