“The Living Ghost” (1942) / Z-View
The Living Ghost (1942)
Director: William Beaudine
Screenplay: Joseph Hoffman; Howard Dimsdale (original story)
Stars: James Dunn, Joan Woodbury, Paul McVey, J. Farrell MacDonald.
Tagline: SPOOK CHASER… A reckless sleuth follows the trail of a white ZOMBIE!
The Plot…
When wealthy banker Walter Craig disappears, his best friend, Ed Moline (McVey) hires retired PI, Nick Trayne (Dunn) to find him. Trayne has his hands full. Everyone is suspect and that includes Craig’s ex-wife Helen, his daughter Tina and her fiance Arthur, his sister Delia, her husband George, Craig’s friend Tony, Craig’s secretary and even Cedric the butler
When Walter Craig turns up in a zombie-like state, the case changes from a missing person to a who dunnit.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
What could have been a fun old dark house murder mystery/comedy ends up being a lackluster affair. The title indicates a ghost but we end up with more of a zombie. Not that a ghost would have livened things up.
The Living Ghost (1942) rates 2 of 5 stars.
