Hold That Ghost

Plot synopsis:
Chuck Murray (Bud Abbott) and Ferdie Jones (Lou Costello), gas station attendants, aspire to better jobs waiting tables at Chez Glamour, a high-class nightclub, where Ted Lewis and The Andrews Sisters perform. However, Chuck and Ferdie cause a ruckus and wind up back at the gas station. Gangster "Moose" Mattson (William B. Davidson) brings his car in for servicing, and Chuck and Ferdie are caught inside the vehicle when the gangster speeds off to escape the police. During the chase shots are exchanged, and the gangster is killed by gunfire. However, through a strange clause in his will--which says that whoever is with him when he dies will get whatever he owns--Chuck and Ferdie inherit his rural nightspot, the Forrester's Club. Mattson had also given a cryptic clue about a hidden stash of money, stating that he always kept it "in his head," but its existence and location remained a mystery.
Charlie Smith, an associate of Mattson's crooked attorney, arranges to accompany the boys on a freelance bus to the rundown "club". The boys are unaware that Smith (Marc Lawrence) is a member of Moose's gang and has come along to secretly look for the money. The unscrupulous bus driver, however, abandons them and three other passengers--a doctor, a radio actress and a waitress--at the club during a heavy rainstorm.
As the night progresses, strange things happen. Smith disappears while searching the basement, and his corpse turns up unexpectedly several times. The water in the tavern is undrinkable. Ferdie's bedroom turns out to be rigged with hidden gambling equipment. The girls are scared by what appears to be a ghost. Two detectives show up but vanish soon after starting to investigate. Chuck and the doctor decide to search for the detectives while Ferdie examines a map to find the quickest route back to town. However, the candles on the table move mysteriously and scare Ferdie.
Ferdie eventually finds Moose's treasure hidden inside the stuffed moose head over the fireplace. Members of the gang (including the so-called detectives) appear and demand the money, leading to a chase through the building. Ferdie scares them off by making the sound of a police siren. The boys plan to fix up the club, and the doctor announces that the water they drank last night has therapeutic properties and Ferdie and Chuck should transform the club into a health resort and hire Ted Lewis and The Andrews Sisters to headline. As it turns out, the maitre d' who fired them at the start of the film (Mischa Auer) now works for them as a waiter.

Tags: comedy, murder

Review:
I've seen it maybe 10 times now over the decades with no loss of pleasure.It has Ted Lewis and the Andrews Sisters as pleasant musical bookends to what has previously been described as a Ghosts & Gangsters tale.
This combination of haunted house scares and A&C slapstick works terrifically, for several reasons--the supporting cast is first-rate, and Joan Davis proved to be the best comic foil Costello ever had, their scenes together sparkle and their chemistry is undeniable; the boys' timing, always a marvel, has seldom been better; and, as in their best film, "A&C Meet Frankenstein," the spooky elements are played exactly that way, and not for laughs, and it works as well as it did in that film.
The boys showcase some of their classic routines, Joan Davis is a joy to watch, the Andrews Sisters' songs don't slow things down ("Aurora" is actually a bright, catchy little number); all combine to make this one of the best Abbott & Costello films.
Universal, the home of horror, seemed the natural place for ghostly antics, and you'd be hard-pressed to find a dull moment in the movie.Joan Davis was a wonderful actress and seemed to have found her natural partner in Lou. The two had same great moments together with perhaps the 'Blue Danube' sequence being the funniest.
Since the crook's loot is supposed to be hidden there--it comes complete with ghosts, a bad reputation and cryptic clues--their trip there to take possession of their property proves to be a very lively adventure.Before this portion of the narrative, there is quite a bit of fun in a nightclub, involving the Andrews Sisters, a curious "Me and My Shadow" Number with legendary Ted Lewis and a truly black partner, the Ted lewis orchestra and much more.
The other passengers along for the fun ride to the new property include Richard Carlson, very good as a science specialist incredibly oblivious to the admiration and the extreme physical charms of Evelyn Ankers, hilarious Joan Davis as a perfect foil for the lead duo and the others, plus durable bad guy Marc Lawrence, hilarious Mischa Auer, Shemp Howard, Russell Hicks as the gangster's lawyer and William Davidson as Moose Matson the gangster.
This B/W classic would undoubtedly have been an expensive color production later on; but in any case, the money is found, the mystery is solved, the ghosts are mostly explained, lovers are united and the laughs generated by this delightful entertainment remain in the mind--as I and other viewers of this very funny film have testified-for years to come.
This is a very funny early Abbott and Costello comedy that mixes crooks and ghosts, as Bud and Lou inherit a "haunted" roadhouse from a gangster who may or may not have stashed away a fortune somewhere on the premises.
That not withstanding, I highly recommend watching which ever version you can find of this funny and well made classic.Though some more critical viewers may find many of the gags passé and/or corny in this day age, when it was released it was well received by movie goers and critics alike in such notable newspapers of the day as the New York Times and Motion Picture Herald.Those of us young and/or old who can appreciate the type of comedy that originated during a more innocent era, should be happily delighted with this classic comedic gem from the '40s..
(In the Navy-and Patty, Maxene, and LaVerne's participation in it-would be hastily filmed while this haunted house comedy would be temporarily halted.) Because of their spots, they don't interrupt the flow of the comedy which includes such classic bits like the "Moving Candle", "Changing Room", and Lou's ad-libs with a stuffed moose's head.
All in all, Hold That Ghost is a most enjoyable Abbott & Costello movie with great contributions from Joan Davis..
It's nice to catch a break from the two recent "service films" that Bud and Lou made this time, as they go from army and navy men to playing two domestic, unsuccessful waiters-turned-gas station attendants.
What they didn't count on, however, is that the deceased had some scheming friends who are also hungry for the dough.HOLD THAT GHOST is often considered close to the best film from Bud and Lou, but I'm not sure I would take it quite that far.
It is a good, solid, comedy/spook show that plays on the old tried and true "haunted house" theme; and once more the boys are in top form to deliver the funnies as Abbott keeps trying to calm a very nervous Costello down as he encounters everything from dead bodies to ghosts to revolving rooms to moving candles.
There's Richard Carlson as a timid scientist who's oblivious to the longing advances of the pretty Evelyn Ankers (from THE WOLF MAN), and the stand-out antics of Joan Davis, who's really an asset as she plays a "professional radio screamer" who's got some great moments with Lou Costello, including the aforementioned "moving candle" bit, and a charming little dance duet.Oh yes, and the Andrews Sisters are back for a third time, but this time they're only used at the start and finish.
Wonderful supporting cast that includes lovely Evelyn Ankers, Richard Carlson, Mischa Auer, Shemp Howard and the hilarious Joan Davis.
This is a great comedy that I think everybody can enjoy, even if you're new to Abbott and Costello films..
This is one of the best Abbott and Costello movie because it has great comedy in it the story line is good the actors are good in it the acting is good in it everything is good in it and it also one of bud Abbott and Lou Costello's first movies and it is just great so I'm sure that you will not be disappointed with hold that ghost.
HOLD THAT GHOST (Universal, 1941), directed by Arthur Lubin, features the studio's ever popular comedy team of Abbott and Costello (in their third starring roles) in a true and tried formula of a haunted house theme.
Breaking away from army duty as BUCK PRIVATES and Naval reserves from IN THE NAVY, HOLD THAT GHOST ranks one of their more successful features of the period, cleverly mixing comedy with suspense along with classic routines associated with Abbott and Costello, some that would be repeated again, notably for their other spectacularly comedy in 1948 where they meet "Frankenstein." The story opens at the Chez Glamour as Chuck Murray (Bud Abbott) and Ferdinand "Ferdie" Jones (Lou Costello), gas station attendants, are seen earning extra money as relief waiters.
Stranded for the night, strange things begin to occur: Charlie Smith disappears during his search for the Manston money later to be found bound, gagged and dead in a closet; the arrival and mysterious disappearance of a couple of phony detectives, who, earlier came in out of the rain; a mysterious figure covered in a white sheet roaming through secret panels, and spooky noises leading some, namely Ferdie, to believe the house to be haunted.Abbott and Costello are in fine form here, with Costello displaying his comedic talent during several of his frightening moments, with familiar stock underscoring heard many times in Universal thrillers through most the 1940s.
Richard Carlson, the intellectual professor of research, and Evelyn Ankers, the future scream queen of Universal horror of the 1940s, each play it straight to perfection as the secondary romantic couple.Although it's unlikely for a "haunted house" themed comedy to find time for musical numbers, the tunes and night club sequences were actually added in after filming was completed.
Even without the early nightclub portion, the Andrews Sisters, Ted Lewis and Mischa Auer are seen before the finish.A favorite amongst Abbott and Costello fans, HOLD THAT GHOST (what ghost?) which aired on numerous cable channels over the years as The Comedy Channel (late 1980s), American Movie Classics (2001) and Turner Classic Movies (TCM premiere: September 18, 2015).
Ted Lewis sings his theme song of When My Baby Smiles At Me and the Andrews Sisters do Aurora another song identified with them back in the day.Hold That Ghost is not as funny as the two previous service comedy films but it's still pretty good and hopefully the viewer will get to see the whole thing and not have to wait to get the VHS version of it to do so..
This is an Abbott & Costello laugh romp that ranks at the top with their "Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein."  The choice of supporting comic actors (Mischa Auer, Shemp Howard in a very tiny bit part, and the always hilarious Joan Davis) help to give this film its hilarity.
The plot centers around strange goings-on in a haunted hotel, with everyone playing it for laughs, even Richard Carlson, who was probably just drying off between takes from all-time Universal classic, "The Creature from the Black Lagoon."  Some truly fine comedy acting..
Not that these first two are not funny--they're hilarious--but HOLD THAT GHOST has the most unbroken comedy of and Bud and Lou outing in the early part of their career.
Everyone is thus forced to stay the night at the eerie old hotel, which is filled with cobwebs, candles, sinister gangsters, and perhaps a ghost or two!Thus the stage is set for the first, and, outside of ABBOT AND COSTELLO MEET FRANKENSTEIN, the best, of Bud and Lou's chillingly hilarious horror-comedies.
The scenes with Joan Davis are particularly funny, as well as Costello's reactions inside the house.This film was made immediately following "Buck Privates," but was held up for release until another service comedy ("In The Navy") could be released.
A very good comedy with a superb supporting cast: Joan Davis, Mischa Auer, Evelyn Ankers (Queen of the Screamers), The Andrews Sisters and Ted Lewis.
Great Fun. Hold That Ghost (1941) *** (out of 4) Chuck Murray (Bud Abbott) and Ferdinand Jones (Lou Costello) are gas station workers when they accidentally end up in the back seat of a car driven by a gangster.
This possession is a broken down hotel, which might be haunted and could also contain a large sum of money.HOLD THAT GHOST isn't nearly as popular as some of Abbott and Costello's "Meet" horror films but it's funny to see that many of the best gags that would appear in those films were actually done here first.
If you're a fan of the duo or horror spoofs in general then you're going to enjoy this film as there are a great number of good jokes as well as a great cast.There are many funny moments throughout including a wonderful bit dealing with the candle.
Ted Lewis and the Andrew Sisters also appear at the start and end of the picture but these scenes were added after the original production wrapped.HOLD THAT GHOST has a few dry moments throughout its running time but there's no question that there are enough gags that work to make it worth viewing.
Bud and Lou are very good here and we get strong support from Davis, Richard Carlson, Shemp Howard and Evelyn Ankers who would soon become the Queen of Universal's monster movies..
The formats are similar, as we have a haunted house (in this movie it is a road house), a mystery (where is something & why are all these ghosts appearing to try & stop our heroes from finding it?), the bad guys (motive), the good guys(Bud&Lou versus Shaggy & Scooby?), & some music(Lennon Sisters versus Rock Music from Don Kirshner) to make things move along the way.
Lots of crazy, funny antics ensue with Lou running and screaming for Chuck(Bud), seeing candles move, having his hat removed, and trying to upstage Joan Davis at every turn.
While the motion picture industry gave her little more than occasional character roles, Joan Davis would go on considerable 1950s television fame with the series "I Married Joan," and her broad comic style is a perfect match for the Abbott and Costello brand of comedy--and when she pairs with Lou Costello to dance "The Blue Danube" the result is pure magic.There is also a brief cameo by "Stooge" Shemp Howard.
HOLD THAT GHOST also offers a few musical moments, and film fans will find them particularly interesting, for they give a glimpse of the now-forgotten Ted Lewis performing his classic "Me and My Shadow" routine and early footage of The Andrews Sisters, who perform the seldom heard "Sleepy Serenade" and "Aurora." It's all in good fun, but while mildly amusing this really isn't one of Abbott and Costello's more memorable films.
But when the murderers arrive he is the first one dead.While Joan Davis, Evelyn Ankers, and Richard Carlson help the show along as great supporting characters, this laugh-a-minute, pee-in-your-pants comedy is one of the best of Abbott and Costello's Comedy Thrillers.
That's a kid's game!Costello: Not the way I play it!And of course, Lou's dance with Joan Davis, which in my opinion is the funniest gag in the entirety of the film.
I would even go as far as saying "Hold That Ghost" is better than the later & more legendary "Meet Frankenstein" movie.I wonder if it's mere coincidence that my 2 favorite Bud and Lou features are both "Scare Comedies"--meaning Lou Costello was given ample room to display his great scare reactions, such as the classic "moving candle" routine or the great "changing rooms" scene.
Watching those 2 together in this film, it only baffles me that Joan wasn't brought back for more A & C pictures.If you like Abbott and Costello, then you will definitely enjoy "Ghost" and it's not bogged down with too many of the singing and dancing numbers which would weigh down some of their earlier features.10 stars.
Abbott & Costello by now a huge draw found more fame by doing the old dark house style film, a good back up cast helps the boys to keep running on full gas throughout the picture..
Abbott & Costello play gas station attendants Chuck Murray & Ferdinand Jones, who inherit the Forrester's Club, an old disused lodge after the gangster they are with(Moose Matson) dies.
The best cast of all their films as well, and the musical numbers of both Ted Lewis and the Andrews Sisters are actually not out of place for once; in fact they are pretty good!
This was one of THE biggest money-makers for A&C...and, rightfully so!I must repectfully disagree with the other reviewer -- being an Andrews Sisters & Ted Lewis fan, it was GREAT seeing them as living, human people....as opposed to scratchy voices on an old 78 rpm record!This film contains many "classic" A&C bits....the famous "moving candle", Costello drinking the water, using his tie!
It stars Bud Abbott, Lou Costello, Richard Carlson, Joan Davis, Mischa Auer, Evelyn Ankers, and Marc Lawrence.
The Andrews Sisters are slightly less intolerable, but neither act adds anything to the plot.Also working at the nightclub are relief waiters Chuck (Bud Abbott) and Ferdie (Lou Costello), who are quickly fired for unprofessional behaviour but who soon find jobs at a service station (that, for some strange reason, seems to be named after it's newest employees).
As he dies, the gangster drops his last will and testament that stipulates that those who are with him when he croaks will be his beneficiaries, which leaves Chuck and Ferdie the proud new owners of a dilapidated inn.Travelling to inspect their inheritence on a stormy night, the inn's proud new owners find themselves providing shelter for several other travellers (played by Richard Carlson, Marc Lawrence, Joan Davis and Evelyn Ankers), unaware that Moose Matson's thugs are also in the building searching for their boss's hidden fortune.This set up allows for lots of routine haunted house shenanigans, complete with creepy cobwebby corridors, secret rooms and hidden dangers, and for its stars to run through their comedic routines, both slapstick and verbal, Abbot the stoic straight man and Costello the nervous bumbling fool.
Even Costello's much touted dance scene with Joan Davis left me distinctly unimpressed.The lovely Evelyn Ankers is the film's one shining light amidst all of the gloomy old dark house nonsense: extremely easy on the eye, her radiance makes up somewhat for the weak humour and predictability of the script.The film closes with the good guys finding the hidden fortune.
Bud Abbott and Lou Costello bicker and shout at each other throughout this tepid haunted house comedy.
Good supporting cast includes the Andrews Sisters, Richard Carlson and Joan Davis.
HOLD THAT GHOST (1941) *** Bud Abbott, Lou Costello, Joan Davis.
Hold that ghost (1941)Abbott and Costello, in their prime, inherit supposedly haunted house.
The film style differs somewhat from the military based films in that Abbott and Costello stay away from the skit routines and go more for the sight gags and one liners.In the story, Chuck Murray (Bud) and Ferdie Jones (Lou) inherit an abandoned inn from mobster Moose Matson; as stated in the will, they were with Moose at the time of his demise.
All of this serves as the basic premise for Bud and Lou to deliver their zany antics in what turns out to be a haunted house, replete with a dead body, levitating candles and observing ghosts.Adding to the fun of the film is Joan Davis, a wonderful foil for Lou's character who has just the right blend of good looks and snappy attitude.
As always, The Andrews Sisters are delightfully entertaining, though not as animated as in the Service films.After 1941's "Hold That Ghost", Abbott and Costello didn't venture into another horror type film until 1948's "Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein", possibly their best comedy and my personal favorite by the boys.
The original ending was dumped (Bud and Lou run a posh sanitarium for the very rich, with Joan Davis as the staff dietitian) in favor of a musical finale and the nightclub prologue was added so that the film could showcase the Andrews Sisters as well as Ted Lewis.COMMENT: One of Abbott and Costello's finest achievements, this unusual story offers plenty of laughs, gags, japes and fun.