Slow pace in the most part of the movie.

Good idea lost in the noise

After playing with our expectations, this turns out to be a very different sort of film.

A movie that not only functions as a solid scarefest but a razor-sharp satire.

THE GHOST GOES WEST is one of those genteel supernatural comedies that Hollywood and Britain were so fond of making back in the day. A lot of its charm comes from the presence of Robert Donat in the cast, playing a friendly ghost who finds himself transported to Florida when his ancestral Scottish castle is literally shipped, brick by brick, to America. Dated shenanigans ensue in this quiet character piece, with an emphasis on character comedy and amusingly offbeat hijinks. Donat is a delight and matched by the equally delightful Elsa Lanchester who has a moderately large role.

Ghost Goes West, The (1935) ** 1/2 (out of 4) Charming fantasy about the Scottish Murdoch Glourie (Robert Donat), a ladies man who goes to fight in the war, which allows his father to die in peace. However, moments later Murdoch is killed due to him being a coward and this act won't allow him into Heaven so he must stay in a middle ground. Decades later an American father (Eugene Palette) and daughter (Jean Parker) buy the castle with plans of moving it to Florida where a media frenzy breaks out over the ghost that haunts it. The title makes it seem as if the ghost goes to the Old West but that's not the case to this Clair comedy that's certainly worth watching even if the end results aren't as good as one would hope for. I think the prologue that starts the film is actually the best moments as Donat is clearly having fun playing the ladies man. When we meet him he's in a field with six or so women and there's no question that Donat is having fun flirting, smiling and kissing them. When we get to the battle scenes there's certainly no great effects but the comic timing by the director is quite good and we get a fair number of laughs from Donat's cowardice. Things stay moving pretty well when the American family first shows up with a daughter who loves ghosts and the mother who of course is terrified of them. I thought the family members were quite funny but a lot of this is due to the terrific performances by Parker and the underrated Palette. Donat is also quite good in the role of the ghost as he has no problem playing that loose and fun character. I thought he had somewhat more trouble playing the castle's current owner who of course is in love with the Parker character. Donat isn't quite as good playing the straight park but there's no question that he has some nice chemistry with Parker. Elsa Lanchester, Ralph Bunker and Patricia Hilliard round out the supporting players. The special effects of Donat in both roles in the same scene aren't that impressive today but I think for the most part they're good enough to where they don't take you out of the movie. THE GHOST GOES WEST is certainly far from a classic due mainly to the "comedy" not having enough laughs to carry the full running time but fans of the director will enjoy the innocent charm of the story.

I first saw this film one afternoon some 50 or more years ago. I've seen it several times since, even have it on tape from the last time it was aired. Having a DVD is divine.The camera work is stunning. I love the way B&W was handled in 30's films. There's a warm feeling to it. Night scenes that are back lit, side lit or a small warm spot on eyes. In order to "hide" Murdoch's face, we often see it in shadow with a hint of side light. Beautiful lighting on a beautiful man. Even the miniatures are good given the era.I was especially taken that Murdoch first shows up in traditional trousers (which turn into regular kilts when he pushes through a hedge. Scotland has some hungry hedges)I'm a pushover for a man in dress kilts. . .Donat owns this film as Murdoch the Ghost and Donald his descendant. I've been in love with Murdoch for over 50 years and his magic has only intensified.As for the riddle: there is no answer and that's the whole point.

In this very delightful fantasy, a joint Anglo-American production with Alexander Korda doing it in the United Kingdom and it being partnered by Samuel Goldwyn over on this side of the pond, Robert Donat gets to do two of his best characterizations. Donat plays a 20th century Scot's Laird, forced to sell the family ancestral castle to pay some bills. Along with the castle a ghost goes with it, also played by Donat.A brief prologue gives us the reason why Donat is haunting the place. He showed up late for a battle with the invading redcoats and his father Morton Selten puts a curse on him. He's to be earth bound until he makes some guy from the rival clan do a little crawling to him in response to the ragging Selten has taken from this other crowd.So Donat the ghost has been haunting the family digs for about 200 years plus and his descendant is looking to sell the place. American food tycoon Eugene Palette wants to buy it and Mr. Palette has a lovely daughter in Jean Parker who Donat finds attractive. The castle is taken apart, stone by stone, to be reassembled in Florida and of course The Ghost Goes West with it.If there's a Lubitsch touch for comedy, there's certainly a Rene Clair touch for fantasy. The Ghost Goes West is really a delightful film with Donat's dual performance stealing the show. It's as light and airy as other Clair English language masterpieces as I Married A Witch and It Happened Tomorrow. Do not miss it if it is ever broadcast and it's an indisputable part of any projected Robert Donat film festival.