Good movie, but best of all time? Hardly . . .

best movie i've ever seen.

This is a tender, generous movie that likes its characters and presents them as real people, full of flaws and strengths.

In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

The Laird of Glourie Castle dies in battle in 1747 and is doomed to haunt the castle at midnight until he restores the clan's honor by humiliating a member of the rival clan, the MacClaggans. Centuries pass; the ghost (Donat) shows up on time, bored; the castle falls into desuetude; the current penniless owner (also Donat) manages to sell the castle to an American millionaire (Pallet) and his pretty daughter (Parker), who import it brick by brick to Florida to promote his brand of "fine foods." Both Donat the owner and Donat the ghost go with the castle but the Americans don't find out about it until too late. The living Donat falls for the daughter and vice versa, but the ghostly Donat has an eye for pretty girls too. There follows confusion, mixed identities, and a final laying of the ghost. That is, the ghost goes away for good.It's a relaxing, enjoyable, light-hearted fable about ghosts and romance and the social world of 1936. I'd have enjoyed it as no more than that when I was a kid. Now that I am an adult, and a bit more, I take up that glass and see things through it darkly again.Well, not really "darkly." Just that there now seems to be an ill-hidden message behind the whiz-bang pageantry. I don't know how America ever came to acquire a reputation for wealth during the dog days of the Great Depression. Life for most in the USA was as bitter as it was for anyone, anywhere else. The myth of American opulence may have been started by the movies. People watched Fred and Ginger waltz around in wedding-cake settings wearing evening dress and ballroom gowns. And here is a vulgar American millionaire -- Eugene Pallet, whose voice sounds like Grendel growling from the back of his cave. He's a likable enough figure but stupid and tasteless. A full suit of medieval armor that comes with the castle is turned into a radio. It's like one of those table lamps in the shape of Venus de Milo with a clock embedded in her belly.In George Orwell's frightening essays in "Down and Out in Paris and London," he meets some American tourists who are loud and full of self display while Orwell himself joins the ranks of those who are literally starving to death. He's quite open about his hatred.None of that detracts from the fey quality of this romantic comedy/ ghost story. It's a lot of fun. The performances are up to par. I wish the castle had had more atmosphere than it does. Clair's set designer was to bring far more atmosphere to the lodgings on the island in "And Then There Were None." The adults will find this diverting and the kids may get a kick out of the ghost and the mixed identity theme.

Ghost Goes West, The (1935) ** 1/2 (out of 4) Charming fantasy about the Scottish Murdoch Glourie (Robert Donat), a ladies man who goes to fight in the war, which allows his father to die in peace. However, moments later Murdoch is killed due to him being a coward and this act won't allow him into Heaven so he must stay in a middle ground. Decades later an American father (Eugene Palette) and daughter (Jean Parker) buy the castle with plans of moving it to Florida where a media frenzy breaks out over the ghost that haunts it. The title makes it seem as if the ghost goes to the Old West but that's not the case to this Clair comedy that's certainly worth watching even if the end results aren't as good as one would hope for. I think the prologue that starts the film is actually the best moments as Donat is clearly having fun playing the ladies man. When we meet him he's in a field with six or so women and there's no question that Donat is having fun flirting, smiling and kissing them. When we get to the battle scenes there's certainly no great effects but the comic timing by the director is quite good and we get a fair number of laughs from Donat's cowardice. Things stay moving pretty well when the American family first shows up with a daughter who loves ghosts and the mother who of course is terrified of them. I thought the family members were quite funny but a lot of this is due to the terrific performances by Parker and the underrated Palette. Donat is also quite good in the role of the ghost as he has no problem playing that loose and fun character. I thought he had somewhat more trouble playing the castle's current owner who of course is in love with the Parker character. Donat isn't quite as good playing the straight park but there's no question that he has some nice chemistry with Parker. Elsa Lanchester, Ralph Bunker and Patricia Hilliard round out the supporting players. The special effects of Donat in both roles in the same scene aren't that impressive today but I think for the most part they're good enough to where they don't take you out of the movie. THE GHOST GOES WEST is certainly far from a classic due mainly to the "comedy" not having enough laughs to carry the full running time but fans of the director will enjoy the innocent charm of the story.

Have to say I'm mightily surprised to see some users here state this film is purely escapist entertainment, nothing more, nothing less. Since it ignites its comedy heart with a satirical flame, I do feel that the jovial nature of the beast has meant that the tongue in cheek nature of René Clair's first English speaking picture has been missed by some.Murdoch Glourie {Robert Donat} is head of the Glourie clan, during a vociferous argument with the laird of the Maclaggen clan, he is so furious about the besmirching of his family name, he pegs out and dies before correcting the unjust smear on the family name. Switch to the modern day and his descendant Donald {Donat again} is frantically trying to keep the monolithic Glourie castle from collapsing under the weight of financial pressure. Hope springs in the form of love, and the beautiful Peggy Martin {Jean Parker}, but with her comes her ebullient father Joe {Eugene Palette}, and his intention to relocate the castle to Florida. Now this is something that Murdoch's ghost is particularly not happy about, and he promptly sets about haunting everyone in sight whilst the selling point fervour of a Ghost coming to America brings about mirth and intriguing problems.Yes this film is a fantastical light hearted comedy, but its portrayal of American habits is satirical genius, covering materialistic urges and prodding the ribs of the press, The Ghost Goes West is a truly classic film in the Preston Sturges 1940s mould. What else can you think when you see a press headline stating "Kilted Scottish Phantom Fails To Show"? René Clair was annoyed by the interference from producer Alexander Korda, to the point he thought about taking his name off the credits, he didn't have to worry tho, because the film is still his, and crucially, American audiences took it firmly on the chin and embraced the picture for the delightful nudge nudge romp it is. 8/10

A Scottish nobleman in the 18th century gets accidentally killed after his family name had been insulted by another family clan.Until he can redeem his family's honor he must remain a ghost in his castle.Two centuries later his ancestor sells the castle to an American businessman,who moves it to the States stone by stone.The Ghost follows....A very funny movie fantasy with a charming performance by Robert Donat in a dual role.Eugene Pallette as the american businessman turns in a hysterically funny performance.The contrast between Scots and Americans are used for maximum effect.Rating:**** out of *****