The Ghost Breakers – (1940 Full Movie)

Posted by crypticescapemagazine on May 2, 2018 in Drive In, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Lawrence Lawrence (yes that’s his real name), played by Bob Hope, is a crime reporter.  While broadcasting his latest story Mary Carter, played by Paulette Goddard is listening from her hotel room when suddenly the lights go out from a mighty thunderstorm.  The entire city lies in a complete blackout.  While in the darkness a knock comes to her door where Mr. Parada (Paul Lukas) delivers to Mary the deed to “Castillo Maldito”, a plantation she just inherited off the coast of Cuba.  She sets out to redeem her inheritance.  However, Mr. Parada insists that she sell the property to him.Mary then receives a telephone call from Mr. Mederos (Anthony Quinn).  He warns Mary about selling the property to Mr. Parada and agrees to meet with her later.

Meanwhile, Lawrence Lawrence, finishes up his broadcast, an exciting report on an infamous local crime boss, Frenchy Duval (Paul Fix).  After which he receives a phone call from Frenchy where he then invites Lawrence to the same hotel Mary is staying to discuss things.

Soon all hell breaks loose in a comedic “Who dun it?” fashion.  Parada shoots Mederos dead and Lawrence hears the gunshot.  Now keep in mind, the city is still in total blackout, so Lawrence shoots his gun out of reflex.  Lawrence believes he shot Mr. Parada in the confusion and ends up finding himself in Mary’s room and accidentally stumbles into her trunk which he locks not even knowing he is in there, giving him a free trip to the harbor docks.

At the docks, Lawrence’s sidekick (Willie Best), frantically searches for Lawrence among the luggage.  He finds Lawrence but not before he is loaded onto the ship.  Alex then sneaks onboard in a last-ditch effort to free his longtime friend, Lawrence.

Lawrence is then “unpacked” by Mary in her room much to her fright and the story picks up from here as they make their way to the mysterious island of voodoo and ghosts.

The Ghost Breakers is directed by George Marshall and starring Bob Hope and Paulette Goddard. The film was adapted by Walter DeLeon from the play The Ghost Breaker by Paul Dickey and Charles W. Goddard.

The Ghost Breakers shares the same genre of Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein and Hope and Goddard’s own The Cat and the Canary, it is cited as a prime example of the classic Hollywood horror-comedy of that era.