GOLDEN OLDIES - GHOST FILMS
Here is a collection of recommended 'mainly family friendly', golden oldies - ghost films...some you may not have heard of, but they are all either very good or excellent, which friends and I highly recommend and give ratings for:
Golden Oldies Ghost Films:
Most are in B&W, but don't let that put you off, as the acting and plots far outweigh what's brought out today...
1. 'The Haunting Of Hill House' (1963 B&W). Starring, Claire Bloom and Julie Harris.
Although this old horror/thriller is not PG rated as far as I know, I would recommend that children under 12 yrs old avoid watching this film, which is set in an old mansion, called 'Hill House'. Some of the scenes are so spooky that you will remember them for the rest of your life. One particular scene happens in the middle of the night, when one of the team of ghost investigator's, Nell (Julie Harris) is holding the hand of her friend, whilst they are in single beds - side by side...then Nell wakes to find her friend's bed at the other end of the bedroom...but who is still holding her hand... O:
Pitch's rating: 'I have seen Haunting of Hill House but it has been a while since I have, but I remember it alright'.
My rating: I've seen the most terrifying of horror films, but this is one of the spookiest I have ever seen! This is not family friendly. There is no swearing, gore or sexual scenes, but your kids will likely have nightmares. (This film is often confused with the film, 'House on Haunted Hill'...not the same film).
The story was written by, Shirley Jackson and considered one of the best literary ghost stories of the twentieth century.
2. 'The Monkey's Paw' (1948 B&W). Starring, Milton Rosmer and Meg Jenkins.
The Monkey's Paw is a chiller. When a mother receives a talisman (a monkey's paw), one of her three offered wishes is for her deceased son to be brought back to life...little realising the horrific consequences after he leaves his grave and returns home.My rating: This short, powerful film of 58 minutes is a horror/thriller, which is definitely not for the under 15's and like 'The Haunting Of Hill House' - you will remember it forever. One scene that chills to the bone, is when the dead son leaves the graveyard and heads for home. When he knocks on the door, you just don't want to see what's behind it! But that's the least of the mother's worries...he will now - never die!
Here is a classic one, but not too spooky golden oldie ghost film:
3. 'A Christmas Carol'
Written by English author, Charles Dickens. The film is about a selfish miser who changes his ways after being visited by four ghosts on Christmas eve. This old supernatural film's main feature is, the wonderful Alastair Sim who plays Scrooge.
Pitch's rating: 'Now one of my favorite ghost stories and which is also my favorite Christmas story is of course, A Christmas Carol. The one in cinema now is great and you should really go see it in 3D. You won't ever regret paying the little extra for the experience'.
My rating: I haven't seen the new one, but I bet it doesn't come close to the old version brought out in 1951.
4. 'The Ghost & Mrs Muir' (1947 B&W). Starring Rex Harrison and Gene Tierney.
A classic golden oldies ghost film about the spirit of a sea-captain (Rex Harrison) who falls in love with the new single lady occupant (Gene Tierney) of his old home.
Pitch's rating: 'That's one of my favourite ghost movies too and is the type of ghost story I love'.
My rating: The Ghost and Mrs Muir is a classic supernatural/romance and I love it. I watch it every time I notice it's on. It's a real feel good film, but have the tissues ready at the end.
5. 'Topper' (1937 B&W). Starring, Cary Grant and Constance Bennett.
Pitch's rating: 'There are actually two movies of Topper, but the first one is the best made in 1937'.
My rating: I've never seen this but it sounds a must see Pitch. Thanks for the recommendation of this supernatural/comedy/romance.
6. 'It's A Wonderful Life' (1947 B&W). Starring, James Stewart and Donna Reed.
This film does not have a ghost, but it does have an angel and it's superb!
About an angel who helps a caring, but suicidal business person, who is shown what life would have been like if he had never existed.
Pitch's rating: 'Well, Eye Priestess, you know ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ is my third favorite Christmas movie, and I like the original black & white version with Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed the best, although this one has been re-done many times'.
My rating: One of the best supernatural/feel-good films ever!
7. 'Miracle on 34th Street' (1947 B&W). Starring, Maureen O'Hara (the one who played the mother in the original 'Parent Trap' with Hayley Mills), John Payne & Natalie Wood.
People in New York city are left wondering if the Santa in a department store is the real thing when amazing things happen to deserving people.
A supernatural theme, which warms the heart!
Pitch's rating: 'My second favorite Christmas movie. It’s a bit spooky, what with the magic that happens in it, and as before, it is the 1947 black & white version that I like the best'.
My rating: Just watched this and it's excellent!
8.'The Innocents' (1961 colour). Starring, Deborah Kerr and Michael Redgrave.
A young, inexperienced governess is terrorized by the ghostly goings on in a spooky, country mansion, while looking after the niece and nephew of a callous socialite (Redgrave) who resides mainly in London. He stipulates that she is solely responsible for their welfare in his absence.
My rating: This chiller is very spooky and full of twists! A bit dark for children under 12 yrs old.
9. 'Bell, Book & Candle' (1959 colour). Starring, James Stewart, Kim Novak and Jack Lemmon.
A beautiful witch falls for her neighbour, but she has to get rid of his fiancé first. So she enchants him with witchcraft.
Pitch's rating: 'Another Jimmy Stewart movie I like. It's about witchcraft and a man being seduced by a beautiful witch'.
My rating: Great cast in this bewitching comedy/supernatural/romance.
10. 'Portrait of Jennie' (1948 B&W - colour). Starring, Jenifer Jones and Joseph Cotton.
A struggling artist meets a mysterious girl in the park who is dressed in old-fashioned clothing. He asks if he can paint her, but strange things start to happen as she grows into a beautiful woman before his eyes.
My rating: This is a supernatural/fantasy film suitable for 12 yrs and upwards.
12. 'The Ghost & Mr Chicken' (1966 colour). Starring, Don Knotts and Joan Staley.
Pitch's rating: 'One of my favorite, not too scary, but soooo funny movie is this with the ever comedic performance of Don Knotts... if you want to die laughing, then this is your movie'.
My rating: This supernatural/comedy has it all and is recommended for all the family.
13. 'The Picture Of Dorian Gray' (1945 B&W - colour). Starring, Hurd Hatfield, Donna Reed, Angela Lansbury and Peter Lawford.
The immensely handsome Dorian Gray, commissions a portrait of himself, which creates an obsession with his appearance. Desperate to keep his beauty, he makes a pact with the devil....only the painting is allowed to show the ravages of time on his face. However, the sins of his life recreate the painting, until it becomes the most grotesque sight imaginable...with hideous consequences.
Written by, Oscar Wilde.
My rating: The Picture Of Dorian Grey is the only masterpiece written by Wilde, which was made into a film - in this gothic/horror and it's magnificent - with an all-star cast! In my opinion, it's not suitable for children under 15-yrs-old.
14. 'The 13 Ghosts' (1960 B&W). Starring, Charles Herbert and Jo Morrow.
An impoverished family inherit a haunted house from eccentric uncle Dr. Plato Zorba. Twelve horrifying ghosts inhabit the mansion and can only be freed if the thirteenth ghost is located. But there's more...a treasure is hidden and someone is willing to kill for it!
Pitch's rating: 'Not as freaky as the remake of The 13 Ghosts and more kid friendly'.
My rating: A great mild horror for 12 yrs upwards.
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