Starring Sir Michael Redgrave, Tippy Walker, Peter Noone, and Douglas Fairbanks Jr.
Directed by John Robins
Music by Jerry Bock; Lyrics by Sheldon Harnick
The Oscar Wilde short story The Canterville Ghost has been adapted for television almost since the medium began, but this was the first musical version. ABC Stage 67 was their attempt to revive the anthology format that had been so successful in the 50's. It didn't take, but the show did produce four hour-long musicals. We've already seen one, the supremely strange Stephen Sondheim horror show Evening Primrose. Is this one just as good...and weird? Let's begin with Lord Canterville showing Mr. Otis (Fairbanks Jr.), the American ambassador, and his wife (Natalie Schafer) and children a beautiful old English manor and find out...
The Story: When Mr. Otis buys Canterville Manor, he also picks up a genuine ghost. Sir Simon Canterville (Redgrave) has haunted the halls for four hundred years, and is very upset when Mr. and Mrs. Otis and their sons Matthew (Mark Colleano) and Mark (David Charkham) refuse to believe in him. Their daughter Virginia (Walker) and her sweetheart Duke David of Cheshire (Noone) do believe, and she's genuinely concerned about the ghost. Sir Simon first tries to scare them away...but then Virginia discovers his hiding place and why he's haunted the house for so long...
The Song and Dance: Surprisingly sweet comedy actually does a really good job updating the original short story. It's actually pretty accurate, other than adding Noone as Virginia's laid-back nobleman boyfriend to sing ballads. Redgrave gives Sir Simon a great deal of gravity and even a note of humor that makes you understand why Virginia finds him so fascinating. The Harnick-Bock score is really cute, too, including the three parodies of TV jingles (which, amazingly enough, also come from the original book). Love the filming in a real British manor house, too. Thank goodness the color exists for this one, as it's exquisite, with the bright colors of the Otis' mid-60's wardrobes contrasting with the gray castle and Sir Simon's wispy pastels and grays.
The Numbers: The opening number "Canterville Hall" sets up the premise as the servants explain the legend of the Hall and the ghosts to the Otises. Mrs. Otis doesn't take the stain that keeps reappearing seriously. A little "Undertow" cleaner will remove that. "I Worry" is Virginia's song as she admits that she's concerned about pretty much everything that goes on around her, while David reminds her that she won't get a kiss from him "If You Never Try."
"Rattletrap" is another singing ad, this time from Mr. Otis as he oils a squeaking door. Sir Simon is more interested in getting "Vengeance" against this tacky and non-believing family. All David can tell Virginia when she asks for him to talk romance to her is "You're Super." "Overhead" is another jingle parody, this time from Virginia. The lovely "Peace" is the writing on the tomb of Sir Simon's wife, which they sing together.
What I Don't Like: This is pretty typical of TV programs at the time. Noone was clearly added for the teen market, as his role is basically to sing ballads with the daughter and not do much else. Wispy Walker is a bit spacey as the teen who actually does believe in Sir Simon. As a TV production, some of the special effects, particularly the ghost moving around, can occasionally look chintzy.
The Big Finale: Charming horror comedy features terrific music and a lovely performance by Redgrave and definitely deserves to be better-known.
Home Media: To my knowledge, the only way to see this one is on YouTube and the Internet Archive. The YouTube version comes complete with the original commercials for Singer sewing machines and Burlington Industries.
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