"The Smiling Ghost" is one of a batch of comedy mysteries that Warner Brothers made in the late 1930s and early 1940s to try to benefit from a couple of movie trends. One was MGM's very popular Thin Man series of comedy and mystery. The other was the growing popularity of horror and sci-fi fright films, such as Universal had been making. Universal also was combining comedy with horror in some films, such as those made with Abbott and Costello.
But, Wayne Morris, who plays the lead in this film, Lucky Downing, wasn't a top actor, and his character is written as a sort of flummoxed hero. Because it's so obvious after a while, it changes from irritating to acceptable and adds a little humor in the film. The story is an interesting rendition of a familiar plot; but the screenplay has some gaping holes. Fortunately, a good cast of some well-known actors of the time are here to bolster the film. Alan Hale is Norton, the Fairchild's butler. He adds some to the comedy. Alexis Smith is Elinor Fairchild who can't seem to keep her beaus from dying. Helen Westley plays Grandmother Bentley and Willie Best is Clarence, the all-around man for Downing.
The comedy is mostly weak, and the mystery has to hold the audience interest. I guessed who the culprit was quite early on, but it might be a surprise to some. I had to make this a spoiler warning because it's a tip about who the culprit might be. How is it that none of the members of the Fairchild household knew about the hidden passages behind the walls - but someone from outside did? It's those sort of incongruities that separate the top screenwriting from the rest.
Here are some favorite lines from this film.
Lil Barstow, "Listen, it's more than an accident when a cobra strikes a man on the 18th floor of a Boston hotel."
Clarence, "Well, boss, we're locked in." Lucky Downing, "Try turning the doorknob."
Lucky Downing, "Clarence, you turn around and stop acting like a coward." Clarence, "What makes you think I'm acting?"
Norton - the Butler, "Ain't a thing for you to worry about, pal. I'm loaded to the hilt." Lucky Downing,, "Oh, what's this gonna be - a wedding or a Wild West show?"
But, Wayne Morris, who plays the lead in this film, Lucky Downing, wasn't a top actor, and his character is written as a sort of flummoxed hero. Because it's so obvious after a while, it changes from irritating to acceptable and adds a little humor in the film. The story is an interesting rendition of a familiar plot; but the screenplay has some gaping holes. Fortunately, a good cast of some well-known actors of the time are here to bolster the film. Alan Hale is Norton, the Fairchild's butler. He adds some to the comedy. Alexis Smith is Elinor Fairchild who can't seem to keep her beaus from dying. Helen Westley plays Grandmother Bentley and Willie Best is Clarence, the all-around man for Downing.
The comedy is mostly weak, and the mystery has to hold the audience interest. I guessed who the culprit was quite early on, but it might be a surprise to some. I had to make this a spoiler warning because it's a tip about who the culprit might be. How is it that none of the members of the Fairchild household knew about the hidden passages behind the walls - but someone from outside did? It's those sort of incongruities that separate the top screenwriting from the rest.
Here are some favorite lines from this film.
Lil Barstow, "Listen, it's more than an accident when a cobra strikes a man on the 18th floor of a Boston hotel."
Clarence, "Well, boss, we're locked in." Lucky Downing, "Try turning the doorknob."
Lucky Downing, "Clarence, you turn around and stop acting like a coward." Clarence, "What makes you think I'm acting?"
Norton - the Butler, "Ain't a thing for you to worry about, pal. I'm loaded to the hilt." Lucky Downing,, "Oh, what's this gonna be - a wedding or a Wild West show?"