The Ghost and Mr. Chicken

Trailer—The Ghost and Mr. Chicken

This movie stands the test of time! I think I have seen this movie 100 times. I showed it to my kids and they love it too.

I joke with my friends that "Citizen Kane" isn't the greatest film of all time, "The Ghost and Mr. Chicken" is. OK, maybe not THE greatest, but I loved it in 9th grade and I've loved it ever since (probably have seen it 10 times). As my observant godson noted, even the music is perfect for this kind of little movie. I think it's the best, by far, of Don Knotts' films. My favorite line is "And they used Bon Ami!" Out of curiosity, I've checked with a number of published guides to DVDs available for sales/rental and, to their credit, most of the authors of those books acknowledge that the film, however "minor," has humor and a good deal of charm, and that Knotts is at his best.

This film showcases comedy from start to finish. Don Knotts stars and his outstanding performance in this film demonstrates a gift for comedy that very few actors have, and which is never seen in today's films. This movie is family-friendly, does not include offensive language of any kind, and holds the viewer's interest consistently. Many talented character actors appear in this film in supporting roles, including Dick York and Joan Staley. Ms. Staley shines as Knott's love interest, helping him to solve a mystery in a haunted house. Small town American characters give the viewer a look at America as it was in 1963. If you like movies about haunted houses, and you like comedy, this one is a "must see". This is the first movie by Don Knotts after he left The Andy Griffith Show, a sitcom staple of the early 1960's.

I'm not really a scary movie guy, but hey, Halloween is coming up. My choice to celebrate: The Ghost and Mr. Chicken. Nobody does timid with a thin veneer of bravado better than Don Knotts. Watching his struggles to fit in is painful sometimes, but always hilarious. Saw this 1965 film when I was a kid and still remembered some of the key lines. The Ladies Occult Psychic Society reacting to Knotts' "vibrations" with "Taro, Caro, Solomon!" A neighbor lady exclaiming that there were still bloodstains on the pipe organ's keyboard "and they used Bon Ami!" Don Knotts showing off his mailorder karate moves to a love interest and asserting that "my whole body is a weapon." What a hoot! I'm biased of course, but still think youngsters might enjoy this one. Just the right mix of semi-scary and funny. For us Boomers, it's chock full of actors you'll remember from 60's TV and memories of simpler times. Recommended.

This movie is like comfort food. I'll enjoy it every time it's served. Don Knotts is a favorite and so is the spooky theme of the movie. A perfect combination of spooky and funny! Lots of familiar faces add to its many charms. I'll watch it anytime it's on!

I remember watching this movie back in the 1960's with my twin sister Tammy and being frightened when Don Knott's character Luther was alone in the haunted Simmon's Mansion. Now that I am grown I realize the movie was not scary at all, but instead is just a lot of fun. This movie is very funny and by far the best film Don Knotts ever made. Whenever I watch this movie (I own the VHS tape) it takes me back to a more innocent time. I also own The Love God, The Relunctant Astronaut, The Shakiest Gun in the West, and How to Frame a Fig, all starring Don Knotts, but this is my favorite movie of his. This is a great family film, and brings back wonderful childhood memories.

I haven't ever heard anything about this movie. But once in a while taking a chance with one of the older movies gives one a fun experience like with this amusing comedy. The movie isn't scary. It is just a comedy. But I am sure watching it for a child can be both funny and scary, and it is family friendly to watch with a kid as well. If kids are willing to watch old movies these days of course. I am pretty sure this is the first movie with Don Knotts that I watched. And I was impressed by his comedic skills. He is great in physical comedy where he can make his faces and movements alone be pretty funny. The haunted house as well as comedy scenes seem to be typical of that time. This also includes the court scene that brought a lot of laughter, the elevator scene which also showed Don Knott's great performance as well as the communism joke that made me laugh and pretty excited when I thought about the times when it was made.

This was Don Knotts' first movie vehicle after he left "Andy Griffith". His character, Luther Heggs, is simply Barney Fife transplanted from Mayberry, North Carolina to Laurel, Kansas. The same gentle but slightly quirky small town residents and Heggs/Fife bumbling along and solving one of the town's mysteries. Knotts even wears the same salt and pepper suit with white fedora that he wore on "Andy Griffith". This is still a fun movie to watch though. Knotts does his "nervous man" schtick all the way through. His stage-fright speech at the town picnic is great ("let me clarify this")and there are two recurring joke lines, "and they used Bon Ami!" and "atta boy, Luther" which keep being said and which will crack you up every time.

This was Don Knotts first film after leaving the Andy Griffith show. Here he is Luther Heggs, mild mannered typesetter for a small town newspaper. 20 years before, an unsolved murder occurred, and the editor of the newspaper decides to do a follow-up article on it. Guess who they get to do it. He spends the night in the house where the murder took place. After a wild night in the house, he is a hero. Then he gets sued by the owner of the house. I'll tell no more, except that if you have not seen this film, you should. It is a good example of 1960's comedy that stars many TV stars of the period. It's a real winner!