Like others, I first saw this as a kid and was so scared I didn't realize it was supposed to be a comedy. I watched it again last night and was still impressed by how effective the horror scenes are. Noble Johnson in his subtle but terrific zombie make-up is as chilling as anything in a "straight" horror film of the period. The sets are great and the cinematography wonderfully atmospheric. George Marshall was a very underrated director and his pictorial sense is frequently stunning (note the two shot of Paulette Goddard in her period costume and the painting of her ancestor on the wall). Goddard is strikingly pretty and charming, Bob Hope seems fresh and energetic (and very effective in some of his straight moments) and Willy Best gets to shed his "scared darky" persona and play a funny and reasonably straight role. Those who've commented on the humiliating racial stereotype Best seems to be playing here are understandably confused. THE GHOST BREAKERS is years ahead of its time in its treatment of Best's character. This is a guy who began his career under the stage name "Sleep'n'Eat", yet here he plays a rational and reasonably intelligent character named Alex, a comic sidekick but one that might easily have been played by Edward Everett Horton or any number of white actors. He's the one who figures out that Hope couldn't be a murderer because he was carrying the wrong caliber gun, and while he's as scared of a zombie as anybody would be he also pitches into the fight when the monster has to be subdued. If Best didn't consider this one of the best (sorry about that) roles of his career I'd be very surprised.

When Bob Hope first signed with Paramount what they had in mind for him were some B picture comedies playing the bottom half of double bills. Mr. Hope proved he was considerably more than that and his two films with Paulette Goddard and the film Never Say Die with Martha Raye proved he was a box office attraction.

The Ghost Breakers is the second of two Hope did with Paulette Goddard, the first being The Cat and the Canary. In this one Hope is Lawrence Lawrence Lawrence from parents as he said with a lack of imagination. He's a Walter Winchell type radio broadcaster and columnists and he spills some gangster information as Winchell was wont to do many times. Of course Winchell had the best source of information going in J. Edgar Hoover whereas Hope has raspy voiced stoolie Tom Dugan as his source.

When a story gets a little too close to home, Hope gets a summons from one of the gangland lords for a conference. But in the same hotel is Paulette Goddard who has just been warned by Anthony Quinn not to close a deal on a castle in an island off Cuba. When Quinn gets murdered Hope thinks he did it and Goddard and he are soon involved in every which way possible.

On my VHS copy is the trailer for The Ghost Breakers in which it's advertised that this new Bob Hope film will feature his 'boy' Syracuse played by Willie Best. Of course this is a play on Jack Benny's valet Rochester. Would that Willie Best was as fast on the uptake in putting down Hope as Eddie Anderson was as Rochester. Instead Best had to endure the indignity of being referred to as 'boy' in the trailer. He played the part as servile as the norm. Funny thing was his name in the film was Alex, he was never referred to as Syracuse.

Still the film does have its funny moments, especially when Hope and Goddard arrive at the haunted mansion. It's obvious there is more than ghosts haunting this place and Director George Marshall has a nice group of suspects to throw at us with Anthony Quinn, Paul Lukas, Richard Carlson, and Lloyd Corrigan. Yes, I did say Anthony Quinn who plays his own twin brother.

At the end it's actually Willie Best who saves them all. But what a surprise ending it would have been if Best had been the real villain of the piece.

There are not many comedy-horror films that are as equally good in comedy and horror, either succeeding better in one or the other or being unsuccessful in both (though there are exceptions no doubt). 'The Ghost Breakers' is one such film, in excelling in both comedy and horror, and one of the finest examples there is.

It was remade thirteen years later as 1953's 'Scared Stiff' with Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis. That film was enjoyable enough on its own terms but it is not in the same league as this, there is no doubt as to which is the better film. As far as Bob Hope films go, 'The Ghost Breakers' is also one of his best ('The Cat and the Canary' is another example of Hope at his best). It is a perfect marriage of romance, humour and scares, delivering to never less than very good standards on all three.

Visually, 'The Ghost Breakers' looks great and one of Hope's better looking films. The photography wonderfully enhances the eeriness of the haunted house and the exotic locale. The music is a good mix of haunting and jaunty.

Here in 'The Ghost Breakers' the story moves along at a lightning fast pace without being rushed. The very end is a little abrupt but the climax is still such a knockout that one is past caring about that. There is nothing to complain about with the writing either, the romantic elements are sweet and loving, the humour is genuinely funny and often hilarious and the scares are spooky and suspenseful. Hope has some terrific one-liners that he delivers better than most.

Just as good is the adroit direction, while one couldn't ask for better performances. Didn't have a problem with Willie Best, who to me was hilarious, yes he's a stereotype but there are far more offensive ones out there before 'The Ghost Breakers' and since. Hope is a joy and Paulette Goddard is charming and sensual. Richard Carlson excels magnificently against type and Anthony Quinn likewise in more than one role.

Overall, truly wonderful comedy-horror, a fine example of Bob Hope at his best. 10/10 Bethany Cox