Welcome to another meeting of The Scaredy-Cat Club! The topic for discussion is spooks, haints (some mispronounce and say hank), spirits, souls, phantoms’ presence, or more commonly known ghosts.  According to Oxford Learners Dictionaries, a ghost is the spirit of a dead person that a living person believes they can see or hear. Do you believe in ghosts (= believe that they exist)? While Oxford’s question is still up for debate. The one thing we can agree on is that everybody loves a good ghost story!

Do All Castles In England Have Ghosts?

I don’t know if they all do, but the one in Canterville does, and he is cranky! This tale was adapted from a short story written by Oscar Wilde. Directed by Paul Bogart, the screenplay was written by George Zateslo and Sue Grafton. It stars Sir John Gielgud, Ted Wass, Andrea Marcovicci, and Alyssa Milano.

Plot:

Harry Canterville (Wass), who has spent most of his life in Cleveland, Ohio, returns with his new wife, Lucy (Marcovicci), and his daughter from a previous marriage, Jennifer (Milano), to take up his inheritance of Canterville Castle. They find that the castle is haunted by the ghost of a disgraced ancestor, Sir Simon de Canterville (Gielgud). Jennifer’s father and stepmother believe it’s all a hoax to scare them out of the castle, but Jennifer has seen and has even befriended her ancestor. She finds out the reason why he is condemned to haunt the castle. Will she help him? Or will Sir Simon haunt Canterville Castle forever?

There have been many variations to this tale, including one with Sir Patrick Stewart and Neve Cambell. I chose this particular version because this is the one I saw as a child. Sir John Gielgud is delightfully cantankerous! The chemistry between him and Alyssa is magical! Yeah, sure, this is the 1980s special of the week with its ghostly effects, but Mr. Gielgud’s performance hits all the feels and nostalgia points!

“It’s Showtime!”

“Though I should be very weary, still I venture someplace scary…

Ghostly haunting I turn loose… Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice!”- Lydia

From Beetlejuice The Animated Series

Beetlejuice, the ghost with the most, first appeared on March 30, 1988. This would be director Tim Burton’s second feature film. It was written by Michael McDowell, Larry Wilson, and Warren Skaaren. It stars Alec Baldwin, Geena Davis, Michael Keaton, and Winona Ryder.

Plot:

Barbara and Adam Maitland decide to spend their vacation decorating their idyllic country home. As they are driving home from a trip to town, Barbara swerves to avoid a dog, and the car plunges into the river. After returning home, she and Adam notice they now lack reflections and find a Handbook for the Recently Deceased. Both realize that they did not survive the accident. Three months later, Charles Deetz, his second wife Delia, and his teenage goth daughter Lydia moved in from his first marriage.  

The Maitlands don’t like Delia’s redecorating skills and want the family out! They go to the Netherworld and talk with their caseworker, Juno. She suggests scaring the family out. When that fails, they call on Juno’s former assistant and self-proclaimed bio-exorcist, Beetlejuice! A decision that they will not only regret but could also have cataclysmic effects on both the living and the dead!

My favorite moment is when Adam and Barbara try to scare everyone at the Deetz’s dinner party. This movie is a gothic amusement park roller coaster! Once Beetlejuice makes his entrance, you better hold on tight! It will be one wild Halloween-themed ride! 

“Who You Gonna Call?”

I think now is a good time to call the professionals. Ghostbusters is a film that defined the 80s, has inspired generations, and has a totally awesome theme song! It was directed by Ivan Reitman. It was written by Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis, and Rick Moranis. The film stars Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Sigourney Weaver, and Harold Ramis.

Plot:

Peter Venkman, Ray Stantz, and Egon Spengler are parapsychologists who are forced out of their university funding. They decide to go into business for themselves with their knowledge of the paranormal and call themselves Ghostbusters! They take up residence in an old firehouse building and are on call to serve the people of New York for a price. The Ghostbusters rise to fame, which eventually turns sour. The EPA has the Ghostbusters thrown in jail. Then, they literally pull the plug on their operation. All hell breaks loose! Dogs and cats living together, mass hysteria, a disaster of biblical proportions is about to occur, and the Big Apple is its core! Can the Ghostbusters save the world?

This film is a classic! It is also one of the most quoted! There are a plethora of funny moments, but if I had to pick one, it would be hunting “Slimer” in the hotel hallway.  If you enjoy this film, be sure to check out  Ghostbusters II and Ghostbusters: Afterlife; you won’t regret it.

Well, it seems we have come to an end to another meeting. So if you hear chains rattling or footsteps in the night, just tell whomever it is that you need your sleep because you have to get up early. I am sure they will understand.

Did you enjoy these film choices? Have you seen any of these films before?  Which one is your favorite?