Just in time for Halloween, Alex recounts some of the charm and divulges on anecdotes from this classic Don Knotts caper! Get The Cinemologists shirt!: www.redbubble.c...
In 1968 my older brother and I put on a spook alley in our garage for Halloween. We tied strings to the keys of a small organ, played the The Ghost and Mr. Chicken organ music, and pulled the strings to make the organ appear to play by itself. It was a big hit.
I'm showing my age, but I remember seeing this movie when it came out. It's as funny now as it was back then. Don Knotts was one of the great physical comedy actors of our time. He won an amazing 5 Emmy awards during his time on the Andy Griffith show. He was also one of the nicest guys in Hollywood, who was a very quiet unassuming person in real life.
I believe what makes a great movie are the quotable lines. This movie is filled with classic quotable's. "Attaboy Luther", never fails to make me laugh.
My favorite Don Knotts movie of all time. I introduced 9 year old daughter to it a couple of years ago and she now regularly asked to watch it. So much better than the crap movies that she could be watching on Disney Channel.
I heartily concur with your critique of The Ghost and Mr. Chicken. I've watched it many times and always enjoy it from beginning to end. Small town America that so many of us miss. Comedy was witty and clean. Nothing compares in today's world.
One of the best movie reviews I've seen on RU-vid - and about one of my favorite movies, as well. I didn't realize that Vic Mizzy played that himself, but it's been over 50 years and I still remember how frightened the blood-stained keys, the bleeding picture and that particular music, that Luther watched while the keys moved, made me.
I completely agree with your review. In the early 70's this was like a holiday special on TV, it played at least once a year, along with The Reluctant Astronaut and The Incredible Mr. Limpet, all good clean family movies.
"It is arguably Don Knott's most memorable performance next to Barney Fife" THANK YOU!!! Waaaay better than Ralph Furley on "Three's Company"!!! (and.... unlike Barney or Ralph, Luther actually got the girl in this one :-D )
I'm lucky that my parents were Don Knotts fans because we watched all his movies when I grew up. The Ghost and Mr. Chicken was our favorite. I've seen it hundreds of times and will see it probably a thousand more. Excellent review.
The comedic genius of Don Knotts, entering the premises via coal chute, who else would think of that? And they even used Bon Ami on the keys of that organ, to no avail. Shim Shim Shalamim. The music score a masterpiece of cinematic history. Until Don is vindicated in the film his character hits the low of lows when even his staunchest supporters vacate the premises. What ever happened to Don' s Edsel in this film? I used garden shears just like those for yard work as a kid, they are antique now. Even older with loop type spring.
I saw this movie at The Twilight Theatre when it first came out in 1966, I was 8 years old. I later got older and bought a tape recorder as a teenager and recorded it off the T V before there were VCRs. I played the cassette tape over and over, I believe more than this comnentator......I can say every word to this movie as it comes, either watching it or to listening it.
Great video! I love this movie, too. Thanks for all the fun facts about it. Don Knotts is always a pleasure to watch. And that music score is terrific.
Knotts is great as usual. The townsfolk are well drawn each with their own quirks and played by familiar faces from 60s TV. attaboy Luther, and they used Bon Ami, calm and murder. Taro, taro. Silly fun for the whole family
Don Knotts had been informed that the "Andy Griffith Show" was finished, when he agreed to do the movie contract with Universal, and was unaware that the show was going to go on another season. That's why the final season of the Andy Griffith Show had somebody else play the Deputy.
Actually, Barney Fife was gone when season 6 started, being mostly absent for the last three seasons. He made a few appearances in those years but the show was hardly the same without Knotts. Floyd's nephew, Warren (Jack Burns) arrived in season 6 but the character was dropped cold in the next season. I can't recall if any of the characters explained why Warren disappeared from Mayberry.
My mother told me (she must have read it in some mainstream magazine or newspaper) that Knotts wanted a spin off TV show where he would star. But Gomer or somebody got one, instead. So Knotts quit the Andy Griffith show.
@@watermelonlalala It's also been said that Griffith had originally planned to do five seasons of TAGS, and Knotts eventually got a movie contract to coincide with that timeline ... but the show kept going for a total of eight seasons, so they had to go on without him. The Gomer Pyle character got his spinoff show at the end of season 4 of TAGS (in 1964) when Gomer told Andy he had enlisted in The Marines. The new show started that September.
@@watermelonlalala Well being able to star in his own movies, meant he could continue working, but the story I heard was he would have stayed with the Andy Griffith show, if he could have.
@@eduardo_corrochio I read his character was so hated by fans of the show that he was never mentioned or referred to after his last appearance in the show or in the reunion movie they did years later.
Although I don't personally celebrate Halloween, my family and I have long enjoyed this movie. The music is so good and the primary reason I come back to it again and again. I also enjoy the creepier elements, such as the bloody organ playing and the legend of Old Man and Mrs. Simmons. And it taught me that you can clean blood off musical instruments with BonAmi. :P
This is a WONDERFUL REVIEW of the great Don Knotts’ film “The Ghost and Mr Chicken,” Boy, am I glad I found this exact review by Alex Latonzie (sp?) of the Cinemologists - you did a superb job of research, fair use movie clips, woven together with perfect words. I couldn’t agree more with your fine commentary on this fantastically funny film, also a childhood favorite! A++
Why don't You go up an alley and holler "FISH!" . Love it! Did NOT know about Joan Staley....I love this 🎥! The after dinner porch scene is sweetly done. Thank You for this! .
Excellent review, this is such a classic, Like you said I have watched it and listen to the organ music and played the music score so many times it's ingrained in my memory permanently. .
This is my go to movie if I have had a bad day at work. When my kids were younger if the movie was on they would ask what happened! Lol! They joke now that they would bring me popcorn and a glass of iced tea and slowly back out of the room and at all costs avoid eye contact! Lol!!🤣
As young kids my brother and I went first day to the Varsity Theater in Davis CA to see Chicken. As was common in the 1960's we walked alone to the theater.......not taking into account that it would be dark when the film ended. Next to the Varsity was (and still is) a Victorian house....not to different from the films. After getting out of the movie we noted said house.....and stood in the well lit area in front of the Varsity. After much trepidation we made a run for it!!! We both ended up loving the film and the day we saw it. Years later when the film came on TV, before VHS or anything else, we recorded the film off TV onto a 3 inch reel to reel tape recorder. We would listen to the tape every time we wanted to relive the film. This is a long way of saying I too love this film, Mr Knott's (who I met years later) and thanks to you too.
An all-time favorite! I will also add that you should see The Private Eyes, starring Knotts and Tim Conway! Similar in tone and equally as charming! Both would make a killer double feature for Halloween! Nice job on the review, btw!
Thank you for your wonderful review... I have the Don Knotts DVD collection box set, this movie and The Love God ? (Clearly a Hugh Hefner type) are my favorites... TG&MC is pure fun,two favorite scenes of mine, Luther's facial reaction when the Victrola suddenly starts playing that hilarious music so loud in the quiet room... And domineering Halcyon brow beating her wimpy husband at breakfast- "Milo, you didn't finish your Tapioca" --- wonderful character actor in many movies/TV -(Always looks like he never sleeps) -James Millhollin and super great lady Reta Shaw. This movie just makes me feel good--- A Plus !
Probably my family's favorite drive-in movie. It was shown along with 'Munster's Go Home'. My favorite line was delivered by Charles(always reliable) Lane; "Heggs, when I get you on the stand I'm going to tear you to shreds".
Thanks for posting a great movie review. Also GAMC is one of my all time favorites. I must admit I saw it as a child in the movie theater when it was originally released. Best Don Knotts movie ever. I also know the dialogue by heart. My favorite -- "mortar, stone and... wood..." :)
One of my favorite childhood memories was watching this movie when it came on television about once a year, it scared the crap out of me every time. I also developed a mad crush on Alma, what a beauty.
this is by far my very favorite don knotts movie! i was 4 in 1966. the local drive-in posted a placard in the window of the local laundry mat featuring the schedule of the upcoming summer movies soon to play there. the film that caught my eye the most was actually mario bava's blood and black lace. i could tell it was a scary movie, but my sister who was 9 years my senior thought it was a dirty movie. any way there was no way i was going to get to see it. then w-a-y down at the bottom of the poster was the gost and mr chicken. my sister said that i could go see that, but not blood and black lace. keep in mind at 4 i could not yet read. i was just going by the art that accompanied each film. finally the ghost and mr. chicken was playing. my mom, my sister, one of her friends loaded up and to the drive-in we went. it was a very hot night. our car windows were rolled down. nearby there was a station wagon parked and it's windows were also rolled down. the guy in the station wagon laughed and laughed. we would laugh at the antics on the screen and then we would laugh at his laughter. i will admit that some of the scary stuff i actually found to be frightening at the age of 4. there was no way possible that the 4 year old me could have withstood a mario bava horror film! the score made a huge impression upon me. the karate chop that beheaded the mannequin was my most favorite scene. it was probably the most fun i have ever had going to the movies. by the way, my favorite episode of the andy griffith show show is 'the haunted house.'
One of my favorite movies, I could watch again and again! It's funny how Ollie acts so great and important, but he lives in the same place as Luther, and doesn't even have a car
You guys have got to do more reviews, please. From this to your TMP video, I have loved it all and every so often check to see if you brilliant fellows have done anything new. All the love & respect guys! 🖖
I LOVED THIS MOVIE AND LOVED EVEN MORE DON USED SO MANY OF THE ACTORS FROM THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW. SO MANY CHARACTER ACTORS LIKE DICK SARGENT, RITA SHAW, CHARLES LANE AND OTHERS MADE THIS A CLASSIC. WARNER BROTHERS DID DON'S FIRST MOVIE THE INCREDIBLE MR. LIMPET THEN DID NOT SIGN HIM TO A CONTRACT SO UNIVERSAL PICTURES GRABBED HIM AND ALONG WITH THIS ONE AND THE RELUCTANT ASTRONAUT CREATED CLASSIC PICTURES.
Thanks for your tribute to Vic mizzy he does not get the credit he deserves.he also did the original twilight zone theme before the iconic well-known one. You like good food too⁉️ we have a lot in common 😃😄😀
When Luther, the Judges, Mr. Simmons, and the rest see the painting, the close-up of it seems to show a Band-Aid covering the rip when the sheers were. Of course was the blood washable without ruining the painting? One other thing I wonder is how did Kelsey move the andiron over the fireplace when Luther was there to open the secret passage? Did he have a string attached to it? Maybe Luther was too scared of the scary laughter to notice it was moved. Also, was the said laughter genuine or a recording Kelsey had made or bought and used hidden microphones? The phonograph I think played when Luther bumped onto the table it was set on. I can see the whole table move before it plays and scares him. Also, was Kelsey behind the bush and used the 2x4 to hit the drunk at the beginning? If so, he would have had to wait till either both Luther and the woman was gone to leave, or he sneaked into the grounds and trees before they got to the drunk man's body. What are your thoughts?
But there's no ghost in it and this is where Hanna Barbera got the idea for Scooby Doo from they took this silly plot and almost every Scooby Doo episode was revealed to be someone pretending to be a ghost faking a haunted house or whatever to get the money or to sell it for a fortune. Always the same plot and this came first.
My favorite comedy. Besides all those things you mentioned, the cinematography is excellent too. It may have been a low-budget production, but the quality of writing, directing, photography, character actors, and music is beyond that of many big budget films. FYI, Vic Mizzy "incorporated" this song into the theme: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Lyu1FkPgLo8.html&ab_channel=DutchBluesfan. Thanks.
15 The Lord hath taken away thy judgments, he hath cast out thine enemy: the king of Israel, even the Lord, is in the midst of thee: thou shalt not see evil any more.!15 The Lord hath taken away thy judgments, he hath cast out thine enemy: the king of Israel, even the Lord, is in the midst of thee: thou shalt not see evil any more. 16 In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not: and to Zion, Let not thine hands be slack. 17 The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing. Read full chapterREPENT AND BE BAPTIZED EVERY ONE OF YOU IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS AND YE SHALL RECEIVE THE GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST!!!! 15 The Lord hath taken away thy judgments, he hath cast out thine enemy: the king of Israel, even the Lord, is in the midst of thee: thou shalt not see evil any more. 16 In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not: and to Zion, Let not thine hands be slack. 17 The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.
15 The Lord hath taken away thy judgments, he hath cast out thine enemy: the king of Israel, even the Lord, is in the midst of thee: thou shalt not see evil any more.!ACTS CHAPTER 2 38 BIBLE DAYS EXPERIENCE HOLY SPEAKING IN TOUNGES AS FATHER HOLY JESUS HOLY SPIRIT GIVETH THE UTTERANCE!! PLEASE DO NOT BLASPHEME THE VERY POWER OF FATHER GOD HOLY JESUS HIMSELF!!!! THOSE THAT DO FROM SUCH TURN AWAY!!!!!!!15 The Lord hath taken away thy judgments, he hath cast out thine enemy: the king of Israel, even the Lord, is in the midst of thee: thou shalt not see evil any more. 16 In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not: and to Zion, Let not thine hands be slack. 17 The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing. Read full chapterREPENT AND BE BAPTIZED EVERY ONE OF YOU IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS AND YE SHALL RECEIVE THE GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST!!!! 15 The Lord hath taken away thy judgments, he hath cast out thine enemy: the king of Israel, even the Lord, is in the midst of thee: thou shalt not see evil any more. 16 In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not: and to Zion, Let not thine hands be slack. 17 The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.
