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Summary: Even non-romantic fans will love this movie!
Review: I am not a fan of romantic movies - that needs to be said forthwith. Usually they are overdone and sappy, or substitute sex for love (especially now). The Ghost and Mrs Muir, however, is the one exception to the rule. Having seen it many times, I never tire of the love, the romance and the genuine humor that exists between the characters of Mrs. Muir and the sea captain.(Played, respectively, by Gene Tierney - radiantly beautiful, and Rex Harrison, handsome and blustery) Gene Tierney is truly the embodiment of a beautiful woman who doesn't need to be half dressed or undressed in order to show it - and the captain, though claiming to be an old salt, treats her with the love and respect a true lady deserves. I recommend this movie to ANYONE. They truly do NOT make movies like this any more.
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Summary: Loneliness, Love, Solitude, Eternity
Review: "The Ghost and Mrs Muir" is one of those extraodinary films that works on a deeply emotional level. One would think, "A romance between a woman and a ghost? How silly!" Well, that kind of reasoning does not apply here. Joseph Mankiewicz, along with splendid performances by Tierney, Harrison, Sanders, along with the rest of the cast (including a very young Natalie Wood) achieve a very moving, touching story about loneliness and unrequited love. Miss Tierney, one of my favorite actresses, portrays Lucy Muir-a young widow of strong character who moves into a haunted cottage by the sea, and develops a friendship/romance with the cottage's ghostly former owner, Captain Gregg, played with great charm and gusto by Rex Harrison. This "love that can never be" will only reach fruition when Lucy dies. Captain Gregg, knowing this, decides to leave Lucy, leaving her with no memory of him. After a disastrous affair with a philandering author, played by George Sanders in one of his signature "cad" roles, Mrs. Muir resolves to live her life companionless-until her true love comes to claim her in death. Lucy grows old and finally dies, Captain Gregg returns for her, and the two walk off together into the mists of eternity. This film has a very quiet charm-it never bashes you over the head with pathos-it just works its way into your heart. Even its humor is very subtle-not the thigh-slapping kind, but far more subtle. Add to this lovely photography, and, of course, Bernard Herrmann's remarkable score. Herrmann proclaimed this score his personal favorite, even jokingly referring to it as "my Max Steiner score". It is filled with great warmth and longing, and, even listening to it by itself without the images, brings tears to my eyes. It is very hard, in my opinion, to pull off romantic films without becoming maudlin and sappy. Happily, this gem of a film pulls it off beautifully. They certainly DON'T make them like this anymore!
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Summary: Completely surprised me!
Review: After reading the synopsis of this movie, I was convinced that I was going to hate it. The fact that Rex Harrison was the male lead also added to this conclusion. And, I really didn't like it for the first half, thinking that I knew where it was going. Thank goodness I stayed with it!Tierney played a great role, something we don't see in too many movies nowadays. A truly independent woman who isn't full of hate and contempt. And - she has a great sense of humor! I can't recall the last time I've encountered this in a recent mainstream Hollywood movie. The direction the movie took also surprised and delighted me. Although Tierney's character was independent, she was also foolish and made a bad choice. She faced the consequences of this choice bravely, and faced them for a long time. But, in the end she was rewarded. Imagine that in today's society - actually working and waiting for something! All that, and Rex Harrison wasn't so bad after all. Even approaching the realm of handsome!
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Summary: A "Spirited" Romance
Review: There is a magical romantic tone to The Ghost and Mrs. Muir that is different from most films you see. Gene Tierney stars as a young widow who moves into a haunted house by the sea once owned by dead sea captain Rex Harrison. Tierney is a stubborn woman and she won't leave, even after a few encounters with the rough seaman. He quickly falls in love with her beauty and her spirit, and relents in his demands that she should leave. What develops is an unlikely relationship between the real widow and the unreal captain. Joseph Mankiewicz wrote and/or directed a lot of smart, mature films in the Forties and Fifties, and this is one of the best of them. Harrison comes on strong as the captain, and plays the character with much charisma and bravado. Tierney is as ethereal as ever, and brings out the independence and loneliness of her character very well. The music and photography add to the mood, and touches of comedy compliment the story. This romantic ghost story is the kind of movie that even people who don't like romances will end up liking a lot.
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Summary: No Nightmares Here
Review: One of the best and most unusually romances to come out of the Golden Age of Hollywood. Joseph L. Mankiewicz couldn't have gotten better performances out of Gene Tierney and Rex Harrison. Harrison is properly gruff and salty as the dead sea captain, and Tierney is absolutely charming as the young widow he haunts. The chemistry and genuine affection that Mrs. Muir and Captain Greg have for each other is most touching. Wonderful support from George Sanders (the cad), and the adorable Natalie Wood. The black and white cinemotography, combined with the wonderful Bernard Herrmann score makes this film all the more enjoyable with each viewing.
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Summary: All New Romantic Comedies should learn from that Masterpiece
Review: Gene should have done more comedies like this one as Preminger wisely adviced her to do. What is perhaps her best screen performance has set the genuine rules of the romantic comedy of today. Romantic she is, yes, but also poignant when she has to be, and comical when the occasion needs it, and self-assured, and independent and completely MODERN. Gene responded in exceed to every command of a Mankiewicz in state of grace. Rex Harrison is perhaps a little over-acted, but the screenplay asked for it to set a contrast to Gene's character. In less histrionically capable hands, his play would have easily turned into a caricature. To sum up, a clever, beautiful, magical romantic comedy to be watched again and again and again.
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Summary: Even my mother called him "Sexy Rexy" (Captain Gregg)
Review: The great thing about having kids is being able to introduce them to all your favorite movies. I sat my three teenage daughters down, told them "you're going to like this...it is one of my favorite movies" and popped "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir" into the VCR. And all three girls did love the movie. There is an electricity between "Lucia" and Captain Gregg. And the house! An English *cottage* (aka - huge fantastic house) on the edge of the sea. WOW! I love historic architecture and old timey things and this movie was deeply satisfying in that regard, as well. This is definitely a classic and it is a movie you can watch over and over again. You really feel drawn into Lucy Muir's life and you find yourself hoping their impossible romance will blossom. Oh my, what a flick! And the ending always leaves me in tears.
Rating:
Summary: BEAUTIFULLY DONE
Review: Gene Tierney is wonderful as the beautiful widow Lucy Muir and Rex Harrison is great as the manly ghost of Captain Gregg. Although she's warned by the real estate salesman the it's haunted, Mrs. Muir finds Gull cottage on the English coast perfectly suitable for her and her little girl to live in. In no time at all the rumors hold true, but Lucy doesn't scare easily and she and the ghost agree to share the cottage in harmony. When Ms. Muir needs money to make ends meet, she is encourged by Gregg to write his life story while he dictates! The lusty novel is indeed published but Lucy falls for a writer of children's stories (he turns out to be a cad who's married unbeknown to her) Beautiful photography and leisurely pacing give the film part of it's charm, but it is the chemistry between Tierney and Harrison that makes the movie linger in the memory; the final scene is an ethereal "happy" tearjerker, so keep a box of "scotties" handy! '
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Summary: A CLASSICALLY 'HAUNTING'LOVE STORY
Review: This movie is one of my favourites. Gene Tierney is so beautifully genteel as Lucy and Rex Harrison is properly gruff as Captain Gregg. The direction and scenery are terrific, as are the writing,acting and photography;it's a beautifully made film in every aspect.Edna Best is very good as the housekeeper. Get some kleenex for the finale.Afer Lucy dies in her chair,Gregg appears and takes her hand ("Come with me m'dear, and be tired no more")* Lucy's spirit, once up,looks back at the tired old woman in the seat and walks away with Harrison, eternally 24.*Words to that effect, anyway;funny how we remember lines differently when we see films over again!
Rating:
Summary: Beatifully acted and performed
Review: Truly a wonderful adptation. Gene Tierney portrays Lucy Muir fantastically as a strong widow determined not to let anyon use her anymore. Rex Harrison is a perfect Capt. Daniel Greg, hot-tempred yet containing a layer of charm which makes you love him. Best scene; when he wishes her good bye and leans over the bed to whisper his final adieu. He is thisclose to kissing her but doesn't. His restraint is the most romantic thing to make your stomach flip. The ending is a perfect completion to their love.
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