Madame et son fantôme

The Ghost and Mrs Muir is just another example of poor decision making by egotistical studio executives. Like so many others, it wound up just another great TV series that was put up against another pair of juggernaut long running successful competition, and came up just a little short in the ratings. My Three Sons captured the sit-com viewers, and Lawrence Welk the older ones. That left nothing for Mrs Muir and the Ghost. Film critics far more talented than I, awarded Hope Lange two Emmy awards for her work here, and you won't be disappointed by Edward Mulhare, or Rita Shaw, either. A touch of romance to go along with the comedy and drama, a completely delightful half hour show. Not to be missed.

I was only a kid when this show aired, but I loved it! It was romantic and funny at the same time, and Hope Lange and Edward Mulhare had real electricity between them. "Bewitched" and "I Dream of Jeannie" were so much alike, yet this show had the opposite idea: It was the man who had the supernatural powers, not the woman! But it also followed the same idea of having a beautiful blonde as the lead female. Although it was similar to the above mentioned shows, it was still different enough to be unique and definitely much more romantic!! And it had something extra: Charles Nelson Reily, a hilarious comedic actor. I was crushed when this charming show was canceled, but I recently found it on video after 33 years and it is just as wonderful as when it was first aired! I hope one of the networks runs this show for everyone to see. Nothing on TV today can compare to it. A first-rate romantic, funny sitcom!

This is where I first remember being introduced to the comedy of Charles Nelson Reilly, a first-rate actor! This series kept me spellbound, with the usual fascination of ghosts and old houses as a young child, plus the great Hope Lange who would not be scared of this house and stood down the "old captain" that inhabited this house - and who in return had to deal with this new owner that would not go away! This is another show that should be brought back, and that never seems to be seen anymore, leaving one to wonder why this series is not brought back with its top-rate talent, and why the network was stupid enough to cancel this series after two seasons? Oh well, at least Charles Nelson Reilly was on Lidsville with Butch Patrick, so us kids could enjoy his comedy more after that!

This was a great show that stayed true to the theme of the 1947 movie it was based on. Hope Lange did a wonderful job and Edward Mulhare made an awesome captain. Sadly, this lovely actress is no longer with us, but her smile could sure brighten up your day - as a boy, I looked forward to this show and was sad when it was cancelled after only two seasons - it deserved a longer run.

Originally done as a 1947 movie with Gene Tierney and Rex Harrison, The Ghost And Mrs. Muir came along at a time when fantasy on American TV was accepted. "I Dream of Jeannie", "Bewitched", and such, were hits, and it seemed that most audiences liked the escapist fare, especially at a time when most of what you saw on television at the time was protest, war, and death.

Hope Lange and Edward Mulhare were capable leads, and the story lines would deal with the age old question of, "how do we keep the neighbors from finding out we have a ghost!"

This was also one of the few show that, like "Taxi", and "JAG" many years later, would jump from one network to another. Sadly "Ghost", and "Taxi" died right after the move, where "JAG" survived and (as of July 2002) still had life left in it.