Lucy Muir (Gene Tierney) to start a new life as an independent widow moves her daughter, Anna, and her maid, Martha, to lovely house called Gull Cottage by the sea. The hitch is the former owner, Captain Daniel Gregg (Rex Harrison) doesn't want the house occupied. He's not leaving at all even if he died four years ago!
So begins the delightfully romantic The Ghost and Mrs. Muir (1947). I remember as a kid watching the reruns of the tv series based on the movie. I enjoyed the series, the movie is well so much more.
Gene Tierney is wonderful mix of ethereal and strength as Lucy. You believe she falls in love with Gull Cottage as soon as she sees it. Personally this has to be one of my favorite movie houses in all of cinema. No ghost is going to scare her out of her home, she stands up to the wily Captain Gregg from the first time he appears. Rex Harrison is perfect as the Captain. I know he is best known and loved for playing Professor Higgins in My Fair Lady. This is my favorite role of Rex. He is sexy, swashbuckling and sensitive all in one breath. Watching Gene and Rex spar and then fall for each other is simply lovely.
I can tell you more about the plot. You know by now, I don't like to give it all away. Just watch and you too will wish you had a your own Captain Gregg haunting you.
Though I feel the film is perfect as it is. I can see a remake. The key to a good remake is to find the right Captain Gregg. Denzel Washington or Gerard Butler can play the role easily. Seriously, the last romantic comedy Denzel has done was The Preacher's Wife. He didn't even get the girl in that one! I think Denzel is way over due.
Enough about my remake ideas. As always, here is fan video I found on you tube of the movie.
If you have never seen The Ghost and Mrs. Muir, now is the perfect time. If you have already, it's always nice to visit Lucy and Captain Gregg. They are worth many visits.
PS. Look out for a young Natalie Wood as little Anna.
2nd PS. I do like the name Lucia after seeing the movie again.
