Blithe Spirit (1945)

David Lean directed this black comedy about a writer (Rex Harrison) who calls on Mme. Arcati (Margaret Rutherford), a lively, eccentric medium in order to gather notes on the conducted séance for a prospective murder mystery.

The trouble is, of course, that the medium ends up being the real thing and she brings the spirit of his deceased first wife (Kay Hammond) over from beyond the veil to much chagrin and a jealous reaction of the writer's living second wife (Constance Cummings.)

Other than the medium no one (up to and including the ghosts) takes the subject of death or spiritualism (which as it turns out is a very hit and miss affair that relies on a lot of guesswork) very seriously so the overall touch remains quite light despite being undeniably macabre.

I can't really say for sure that this is what inspired Beetlejuice (1988, though there are obvious shared elements (including a vehicular bridge accident and the ghoulish visuals) since there is that Joe Dante directed the Amazing Stories' (1985 TV series) Boo! episode which undeniably is; but between the humor, the subject of a haunting, the odd green makeup (which in certain lighting is quite effective in generating a ghostly, ethereal quality,) and (few) special effects (used only when fading in or out or when the material and spiritual occupy the same space,) this seems to be precisely what got the ball rolling.

Margaret Rutherford is wonderful as the quirky medium and Kay Hammond very funny (and a sexy green-skinned but red-lipsticked, red nailed ghost.)

Between the overall lack of seriousness and the quintessentially English characters acidly sniping (no one character is really nice or loving towards the other,) and the lack of reaction towards someone dying it seems the writer has written himself into a corner (this is based on a play by Noël Coward) with only one possible resolution (we predicted it, or at least, something very close to it.)

While the story of a ghostly spouse is similar this is the emotional polar opposite of Truly Madly Deeply (1990).

The original play had a different ending which, based on the characters' behavior, seems an even odder, misogynistic choice with an argument that men are better off without women.

Coward claimed the film ruined his play (a sentiment which I do not agree with.)

Our DVD is the early one with no subtitles and neither audio nor video is optimal. The Criterion edition is probably the one to go with.

Add to that the player's enunciation, and Rutherford's odd facial structure and way of talking (you can't read her mouth movements no matter how hard you try) we had trouble understanding many lines, but the story and humor still come across quite well.

The film is not very flashy so it's not become the popular Halloween standard you might expect; nor do Horror fans (the film is hardly horrific) or Fantasy film literature seem to discuss it much, which is a shame.

Quite enjoyable and considered a Classic by many.