To me, this movie is perfection.

Such a frustrating disappointment

A waste of 90 minutes of my life

At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

Other reviewers have noted the updating of this Oscar Wilde story to the 20th century and during World War II. The inclusion of a platoon of U.S. Army Rangers worked quite well. It enabled an array of cast members to join in the fun of this comedy, fantasy. This is an MGM film that lacks some of the technical quality that the studio was capable of in the 1940s. The story is a humorous one, and the screenplay is quite good. Two things earn this film the high rating I give it. First is the acting. All of the support cast are very good; but the three leads all shine in their roles. This was one of child star Margaret O'Brien's first films – she was just seven years old when it was release. O'Brien is wonderful as the polite, genteel, lady-like British little girl, Lady Jessica de Canterville. Robert Young as Cuffy Williams was actually older than the soldier he played, at 37. By now he was an accomplished actor with six dozen films behind him, including some excellent roles. And, Charles Laughton is excellent as the Canterville ghost, Sir Simon. Laughton truly brought a marvelous talent to acting. He excelled in the dramatic, comedy, and mystery. Here is has a double role and he's perfect in both roles. One other exceptional attribute of this film is the special effects. The camera work, filming and editing of the scenes with the ghost appearing, fading in and out, and flying across the room were excellent. I am surprised that the movie didn't get an academy award nomination for its special effects. This is an enjoyable movie for the whole family. One that I think the entire cast had fun making.

The ghost of cowardly Sir Simon de Canterville (Charles Laughton) is cursed to haunt an English castle until one of his descendants performs an act of bravery. It's World War II and his current descendant, six year-old Jessica (Margaret O'Brien) has opened the castle up to American soldiers. One of those soldiers (Robert Young) turns out to be a long-lost descendant of de Canterville. Now all he has to do is perform an act of bravery and the ghost will be freed.Nice family-friendly movie with MGM gloss and quality production. Laughton has a great time and it shows. O'Brien is charming and precocious. Young is solid and likable. A fun movie that should please all but the most miserable among us.

I can't say for sure how faithful The Canterville Ghost is to Oscar Wilde's story as it's been a while since I read it. What's for sure though is that I have always really liked this film. The story is slight and may get a little too schmaltzy at times, however much more than makes up for it. The costumes and sets are simply beautiful and lovingly photographed and directed, while the music is fitting with the film and story's mood. The script is on the whole delightful, piling it on with the fun and charm. And I can say little wrong about the performances either. Charles Laughton plays the title role with real gusto, and Margaret O'Brien is suitably cute as a button and exuberant. They are well supported by the amiable, charming Robert Young, the characterful Reginald Owen and the suave Peter Lawford. All in all, a lot of good fun. 8/10 Bethany Cox

This review is somewhat biased, as I am an avid Robert Young fan, and have yet to see him in a less than stellar performance. Margaret O'Brien is also splendid, and it is hard to believe so much talent projects out of a six year old girl. Charles Laughton is memorable in his fine delivery of both pathos and comedic skills.A highlight of the film for me is the music played by the G.I.s. at a local party. Music is classic 40's 8 to the bar, visually punctuated with awesome jitterbugging by the soldiers. A proper female British spectator comments to an incredulous priest, "I believe they call it woogie boogie." It is unknown what what the song title or who the recording artists may have been, however credits list original music for the film as provided by George Bassman.