Download Hold That Ghost movie

Hold That Ghost is a 1941 film starring the comedy team of Abbott and Costello. On August 1, 1941, Abbott and Costello performed a live version of the film for radio audiences on Louella Parsons' Hollywood Premiere.

Chuck Murray (Bud Abbott) and Ferdie Jones (Lou Costello) work at a gas station, but long to move up to waiting tables at Chez Glamour, a high-class nightclub.

Opportunity comes their way and they find themselves working there. But on their very first night, they cause a disturbance, only to wind up back at the gas station, when a gangster named "Moose" Matson (William Davidson) brings in his car for servicing. Chuck and Ferdie happen to be inside the vehicle when the gangster speeds off to escape police, who are searching for him. During the chase, the gangster is killed, and through a strange clause in his will, Chuck and Ferdie inherit his tavern, 'Forrester's Club'.

The lawyer in charge of the will arranges a private bus (actually just a large car) to take them to the tavern, but the driver abandons them and the other passengers there and takes off with everyone's luggage, a scheme that is known as the "wildcat bus racket". Unbeknownst to everyone, one of the passengers, Charlie Smith (Marc Lawrence) is a member of Moose's gang, and wants to search the tavern for a hidden money stash. (Moose did give one rather cryptic clue as to the money's location, by stating that he always kept his money "in his head").

As the night progresses, strange things begin to happen, and the tavern appears to be haunted. More gangsters arrive to search for the money and unsuccessfully attempt to scare off the guests. Ferdie eventually finds the treasure hidden inside the head of a stuffed moose; he and Chuck use the money to transform the tavern into a health resort. They hire Ted Lewis and His Orchestra, along with The Andrews Sisters, to headline.

Production

Hold That Ghost was filmed from January 21 through February 24, 1941 under the working title Oh Charlie. Additional filming occurred on May 13, to append the nightclub scenes with Ted Lewis and The Andrews Sisters.

Although the film was made prior to In the Navy, its release was delayed so that Universal could release another Abbott and Costello service-themed film to follow Buck Privates.

Cast

Cast

Rerelease

• Hold That Ghost was re-released in theaters twice, in 1948 and 1949, along with Hit the Ice.

DVD Release

This film has been released twice on DVD. The first time, on The Best of Abbott and Costello Volume One, on February 10, 2004, and again on October 28, 2008 as part of Abbott and Costello: The Complete Universal Pictures Collection.

43 Comments »

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Hilarious

This movie is hilarious. Abbot and Costello are so funny together in
this film. This film is about two guys who work at a gas station and
are with a very rich man when he dies and inherits his hotel. The
driver who brings them and a few other people to the hotel ends up
driving off leaving them stranded at this hotel. Knowing that somewhere
in the hotel is this man's fortune a few men try to chase them out of
the house by tricking them into thinking the hotel is haunted. This
movie will keep you laughing hysterically. Anyone who has a sense of
humor I'm pretty sure would love this movie. If you are a fan of Abbot
and Costello then you will definitely love this movie.

cabasaexpert351 from United States - 28 May 2008

Great Fun

Hold That Ghost (1941) *** (out of 4) Abbott and Costello inherit an old house, which may just be haunted. I
think this here is the best of the early A&C flick because the music
and dance numbers are pretty much limited to the start and end of the
film. The middle ground is great with the duo doing some great work
including the dinner scene and all the hijinks at the end.I watched this one at the Louisville Palace, part of their Classic Film
Summer Fest and the crowds were certainly a lot less than last year
where Hitchcock was bringing in over 2000 people a show. I'd say there
were around 150-200 people here for this and talking to the manager he
seemed a little shocked that not as many were showing up but I was
shocked he even showed all A&C films since they've only got one that
would bring in a large crowd. Either way, the people there really ate
the film up. The kids (those under 10) really loved the film as they
were the one's laughing the most.

Michael_Elliott from Louisville, KY - 29 February 2008

One of A&C's worst…

Bud Abbott and Lou Costello bicker and shout at each other throughout
this tepid haunted house comedy. They play service-station attendants
who, along with a host of oddballs, become stranded in a spooky
gangster's mansion. For those who stick with it, see if you can count
how many times Abbott screams at Costello, "What are you doing?!"
Answer: he's trying to save a stupid picture. It took three
screenwriters (Robert Lees, Fred Rinaldo, and John Grant) to come up
with these wisecracks, but only a scant few get genuine laughs. Good
supporting cast includes the Andrews Sisters, Richard Carlson and Joan
Davis. *1/2 from ****

moonspinner55 from redlands, ca - 25 January 2008

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