Hold That Ghost

Infobox Film | name = Hold That Ghost


caption = "Hold That Ghost" Theatrical Poster
director = Arthur Lubin
producer = Burt Kelly
Glenn Tryon
writer = Robert Lees
Fred Rinaldo
John Grant
starring =Bud Abbott
Lou Costello
Richard Carlson
The Andrews Sisters
Shemp Howard
music = H.J. Salter
cinematography =
editing = Philip Cahn
distributor = Universal Pictures
released = August 6, 1941 (U.S. release)
runtime = 85 min
language = English
budget = $190,000
amg_id = 1:22707
imdb_id = 0033723
preceded_by = In The Navy (1941)
followed_by = Keep 'Em Flying (1941)

"Hold That Ghost" is a 1941 film starring the comedy team of Abbott and Costello. On August 1, 1941, Abbott and Costello performed a live version of the film for radio audiences on Louella Parsons' "Hollywood Premiere".

Plot

Chuck Murray (Bud Abbott) and Ferdie Jones (Lou Costello) work at a gas station, but long to move up to waiting tables at "Chez Glamour", a high-class nightclub.

Opportunity comes their way and they find themselves working there. But on their very first night, they cause a disturbance, only to wind up back at the gas station, when a gangster named "Moose" (William Davidson) brings in his car for servicing. Chuck and Ferdie happen to be inside the vehicle when the gangster speeds off to escape police, who are searching for him. During the chase, the gangster is killed, and through a strange clause in his will, Chuck and Ferdie inherit his tavern, 'Forrester's Club'.

The lawyer in charge of the will arranges a private bus (actually just a large car) to take them to the tavern, but the driver abandons them and the other passengers there and takes off with everyone's luggage, a scheme that is known as the "wildcat bus racket". Unbeknownst to everyone, one of the passengers, Charlie Smith (Marc Lawrence) is a member of Moose's gang, and wants to search the tavern for a hidden money stash. (Moose did give one rather cryptic clue as to the money's location, by stating that he always kept his money "in his head").

As the night progresses, strange things begin to happen, and the tavern appears to be haunted. More gangsters arrive to search for the money and unsuccessfully attempt to scare off the guests. Ferdie eventually finds the treasure hidden inside the head of a stuffed moose; he and Chuck use the money to transform the tavern into a health resort. They hire Ted Lewis and His Orchestra, along with The Andrews Sisters, to headline.

Production

"Hold that Ghost" was filmed from January 21 through February 24, 1941 under the working title "Oh Charlie". Additional filming occurred on May 13, to append the nightclub scenes with Ted Lewis and The Andrews Sisters.

Although the film was made prior to "In the Navy", its release was delayed so that Universal could release another Abbott and Costello service-themed film to follow "Buck Privates".

Cast

Bud Abbott...Chuck Murray
Lou Costello...Ferdinand Jones
Richard Carlson...Doctor Jackson
Joan Davis...Camille Brewster
Mischa Auer...Gregory
Evelyn Ankers...Norma Lind
Marc Lawrence...Charlie Smith
Shemp Howard...Soda Jerk
Russell Hicks...Bannister
William Davidson...Moose Matson
Ted Lewis and His Orchestra...Themselves
The Andrews Sisters...Themselves

Rerelease

"Hold that Ghost" was re-released in theaters twice, in 1948 and 1949, along with "Hit the Ice".

DVD Release

External links

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