October has an element of fantasy, enchantment, ghosts and superstition with All Hallows Eve end of the month. Many films to entertain on a haunted evening, most are more funny than scary. Get the popcorn ready - Boo!

Topper (USA, Hal Roach Studios, 1937, 97 min., dir. Norman Z. McLeod)

George (Cary Grant and Marion (Constance Bennett) Kirby frivolous and fun loving and stockholders in the bank that stodgy Cosmo Topper (Roland Winter) is president of. After a fatal automobile crash they become ghosts existing in a sort of “limbo” because they've never committed any good or bad deeds. They decide to do something good and invigorate Topper’s rather dull life with his rather dotty wife Clara (Billie Burke). Flirtatious Marion takes a keen interest in Topper causing all sorts of trouble, while George maintains urbane suave demeanor. Supporting cast includes Alan Mobray, pleasantly irritable Eugene Palette, early role for Arthur Lake (future Dagwood to Blondie) and future Hollywood gossip columnist known for her remarkable hats Hedda Hopper. Two Academy Award® nominations including Winter for Best Supporting Actor.

Note: Movie inspired the 1954-55 television series Topper starring Anne Jeffreys, Robert Sterling, Leo G. Carroll, and Lee Patrick and the beloved St. Bernard “Neal” who adored martinis. Quite entertaining to this day

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0029682/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0

Ghostbreakers (USA, Paramount Pictures, 1940, 75 min., dir. George Marshall)

Radio broadcaster Lawrence Lawrence Lawrence (seriously that’s his given name!) “Larry” (Bob Hope) with his fearful manservant Alex (Willie Best) comes to aid of heiress Mary Carter (Paulette Goddard) that takes them to Havana, Cuba to investigate the mystery of a haunted castle on a nearby small island that she’s to inherit. Alluring tropical atmosphere albeit with nefarious actions, gangsters, ghost, zombies and hidden treasure result in delightful comedy mystery (sort of) sequel to another Hope/Goddard film Cat & The Canary. Supporting cast includes Anthony Quinn, Richard Carlson and Paul Lukas

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0032520/?ref_=fn_al_tt_9

Hold That Ghost (USA, Universal Studios, 1941, 96 min., dir. Arthur Lubin)

More zany hi-jinks from the inimitable Abbott & Costello as two bumbling service station attendants Chuck Murray (Abbott) and Ferdinand Jones (Costello) who are names as the heirs in the will of a gangster that involves a haunted house and suspicious cast of characters including the popular singing trio The Andrews Sisters. Frivolous and fun!

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0033723/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

Blithe Spirit (UK, 1945, D&P Studios & Noel Coward-Cineguild, 96 min., dir. David Lean)

English writer Charles Condomine (Rex Harrison) and his wife Ruth (Constance Cummings) invite friends, Dr. George Bradman (Hugh Wakefield) and his wife Violet (Joyce Carey) to a séance presented by the peculiar “medium” Madame Arcati (Margaret Rutherford). Without intent Madame Arcati invokes the spirit of Charles' first wife Elvira (Kay Hammond) deceased for several years. Unfortunately she has no clue how to return Elvira to the spirit world while Elvira, ever the imp, disrupts Charles' marriage and provokes his wife, who actually cannot see or hear her ghostly presence. Things become even more complicated when Elvira makes plans to plot Charles' early demise so that he can spend eternity with her instead of with Ruth. The outcome is best kept a mystery to not spoil the show. Based on hit stage play by Noel Coward that has been produced countless times over the decades. Academy Award®winner for Best Effects/Special Effects.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0038363/?ref_=fn_al_tt_2

The Ghost & Mrs. Muir (USA, 20th Century Fox, 1947, 104 min., dir. Joseph Mankiewicz)

Beautiful young widow, Lucy Muir (Gene Tierney, at her loveliest) in 1890, after a year residing with her cloying Victorian mannered in laws, decides to move from London where and her daughter Anna (Natalie Wood). She is drawn to the English seaside and along with devoted housekeeper Martha (Edna Best) she opts to let Gull Cottage, White cliff-by-the-Sea, in spite of the estate agent trying to deter because the house is allegedly haunted. After she moves in she indeed meets the spirit, who appears in mortal form, of owner irascible Captain Daniel Gregg (Rex Harrison, at his most dashing). She refuses to be frightened away and the two come to an understanding including that he will not make his presence known to Anna. In fact only Lucy can see and speak to the Captain. As time progresses they forge a friendship and there is an underlying romantic feeling – he calls her “Lucia” - about these two souls. Lucy needs income to continue to afford the rent and acts as scribe when Daniel narrates his story of a life at sea that she successfully gets published. Despite his comments that Lucy needs to live her life and love again Daniel eschews any gentlemen who might pursue her, particularly most ardent children's book author Miles Fairley (George Sanders), who turns out to be a cad.

Lucy continues her pastoral life at Gull Cottage and seems content. Daniel, however, takes his leave so that she might have a further life, which she does not choose. Grown up Anna (Vanessa Brown) returns to the cottage as a betrothed young woman and to her mother’s surprised reveals she knew the “ghost” all the time. As Lucy succumbs to final slumber she emerges as the beautiful young woman and the Captain beckons her to join him in the beyond. One of the most intimate with modesty, and romantic screen stories ever.

Curious note: Film was adapted from novel of same name (1945) by R. A. Dick that was the pseudonym of Josephine Leslie.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0039420/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0

High Spirits (Ireland/UK/USA,Vision PDG & Palace Pictures, 1988, 99 min., PG13, dir. Neil Jordan)

Ancient Irish Castle Plunkette, now a hotel, is about to be repossessed and needs to increase revenue. Ancestral owner Peter Plunkett (Peter O’Toole) elects to add some excitement to allure clientele by having the staff haunt the castle.

Trouble begins, however, when a coach load of American tourists aka “Yanks” arrive, along with some real ghosts. Among the travelers are (not so happily) married couple Jack and Sharon Stone (Steve Guttenburg & Beverly D’Angelo). Sharon's father holds the mortgage on Castle Plunkett, and she hopes to refute the ghosts. Jack, on the other hand, after meeting pretty ghost Mary Plunkett (Daryl Hannah), is smitten and seduced by Mary’s charms, while his wife has encounter with another handsome ghoul Martin Brogan (Liam Neesom). Among the other cast are cleric Brother Tony (Peter Gallagher), chamber maid Miranda (Jennifer Tilly) Some very amusing and sexy moments make the movie joyfully entertaining.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0095304/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_46

Ghostbusters (USA, Columbia Pictures, 1984, 105 min., dir. Ivan Reitman)

Dr. Peter Venkman (Bill Murray), Dr. Ray Stantz (Dan Ackroyd), and Dr. Egon Spengler (Harold Ramis) professors at Columbia University where they delve into the paranormal and some questionable experiments with students as “guinea pigs” consequently they really asked to leave and take up residence in an old fire station setting up business called “Ghostbusters” with administrative aid Janine Melnitz (Annie Potts) They are called upon to rid NYC of paranormal phenomenon and make national press as the media reports the Ghostbusters are the cause of it all. After they end up in jail by the EPA, the Mayor takes a chance and calls on them to help save the city from a long dormant Gozer worshiper (Evo Shandor) who erected a downtown apartment building that’s the cause of all the paranormal activity. They find out the building could resurrect the ancient Hittite god, Gozer, and bring an end to all of humanity. Along the way Venkman falls for cellist Dana Barret (Sigourney Weaver) who becomes compromised and possessed by Gozer, ergo he rescues his damsel in distress. All the famous cover Oscar® nominated song “(Who Ya Gonna Call) Ghostbusters” that’s become an anthem in its own right. Rick Moran as Luis Tully ever amusing. Another Oscar® nod for Best Visual Effects. Hilarious at times, if not a bit scarey. The film lead to sequels and spin off cartoons.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0087332/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

Ghost (USA, Paramount Pictures, 1990, 127 min., PG-13, dir. Jerry Zucker)

Banker Sam Wheat (Patrick Swayzee) and ceramic artist Molly Jensen (Demi Moore) are madly in love living in a fabulous NYC loft. There’s an altercation and Sam is murdered by his friend and corrupt business partner Carl Bruner (Tony Goldwyn) over a shady business deal. Sam is left to roam the Earth as a powerless spirit yet he learns of Carl's betrayal. Sam seeks the help of psychic Oda Mae Brown (Whoopi Goldberg) to set things right and protect Molly from Carl. Film was immense box office success and the touching love story and sensuality brought both Swayzee and Moore another level of popularity. Five Oscar® nods with two wins for Best Supporting Actress (Goldberg) and Best Script directly for the screen.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0099653/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0

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Stephanie Mardesich, a native of San Pedro from a family who arrived in the harbor area over 100 years ago. An alumna of U.S.C. School of Cinematic Arts; founder-director of the LA Harbor International Film Festival; credited journalist and public relations consultant, she launched "Cinema Stephanie" film critique blogette in 2017. More recently, she created "Eclectic Culture" lifestyle stories and reviews blog. She is also co-producer with Jack Baric (S.P. native and R.P.V. resident) of the oral history project Stories of Los Angeles Harbor Area: For Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow (SOLAHA) - Volume II debuted in March 2020.

For more see:

(to look up films) www.imdb.com

www.laharborfilmfest.com( Cinema Stephanie blogette)

www.storieslaharborarea.com (histories/stories)