Blood and Swash

Dave below writes about the 1947 movie The Ghost and Mrs. Muir. I was once aware of a TV show by that name, though it never caught my interest. I was not aware of the movie. This is a nice piece, capturing the more pleasant aspects of a house haunted by a ghost. Enjoy!

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Blood and Swash

By: Dave Klausler

I like movies; unfortunately, there are fewer and fewer decent ones produced these days. Last time #1 Son visited (from the Fatherland), we watched a couple of movies together… well maybe more if you separate all the Lord of the Rings offerings (Gold, I say). You have read my take on Mr. Wales here: Whupped ‘Em Again Josey, one of the other films we viewed (Sterling, it is). He is still mild on Audio/Visual “entertainment” these days – but that is now a big plus. He’s trixie, that kid of mine – offer an accurate portrayal of the evil world (True Detective) or conversely, too far sci-fi (Anon) and you’ll be pistol-whipped posthaste.

Similarly, Wifey and I disagree on many movies, not films frequently anymore of course, right… digital and fakery whatever is now the majority it seems. I drift, sorry… I do try with her fantasies of yesteryear though, cancel that… did try – not anymore. The 40s & 50s films are unbearable to me, they are as fraudulent as today’s glorified baloney, both in dialogue and story. Blech. I can get through the Bogie films, but even those – who came up with the idea of the overlapping dialogue? You know, when one character launches a retort before the other has even formed the complete subject to object to – ridiculous – omniscient apparently, no? And casting that 5’- 8” 110# smoking addict toothpick as a tough guy? Come on. Last one, and the final nail in the coffin was Suspicion; Cary Grant and Joan Fontaine – just awful… preposterous; aggravating to no end. Hitchcock there can take a hike – preferably on the beach of Bodega Bay.

All this is to say that there IS an old movie (viewed during that aforementioned visit) that I have watched a handful of times, fully endorse, Wifey agrees with, #1 Son now quotes, and the subject of this diatribe: The Ghost and Mrs. Muir (1947); Gene Tierney (gorgeously improper) and Rex Harrison (a man’s man (in the film anyway)).

I’ll not review as you may be used to… just a splattering of opinionated commentary and quotes – as is my norm. Do movie critics ever actually sit down to watch, listen, or maybe read the script? Never mind, more overpaid sycophants and alphabet plants. Fair warning, in this movie: there is no gratuitous nudity; not even implied sex (let alone that truly vulgar and literally sub-human trash planted everywhere now); no over-the-top and purposefully era-incorrect profanity; and no political agenda as far as I can tell (well maybe there is a bit of a push on independent women). “Blast, blast, blast!” High vulgarity and certainly unladylike back then – perfectly delivered by 27yo and loosely married Mrs. Tierney. The good thing about offering just quotes (especially out of context) is that they are not really spoilers, as they are commonly called these days. They are memorable clauses of power, subtlety and sometimes a rare bit of truth.

Lucy Muir: “I wish you wouldn’t swear. It’s so ugly.” For now.   Captain Gregg: “If you think that’s ugly, it’s a good thing you can’t read me thoughts!” Mine too!

In general, take a good look at the clothing worn throughout… every day. Most of the skin is covered, yet you can clearly gather the build, the shape so to speak, of the body within… the character. Compare that to the gross, nearly nude, and vomitous tattoo-fest on display these days.

Captain Gregg: “My dear, never let anyone tell you to be ashamed of your figure!”

The seaman’s vernacular, throughout, the nautical terms, the attitude and command brought forth by Rex… all good in my book. Tells the dog to “Weigh anchor,” with a wave of his hand.

Lucy Muir: “You, yourself, said I should mix with people, that I should see… men.” Pffft. Captain Gregg: “I said men, not perfumed parlor snakes!” ¡Precisamente el Capitán!   Captain Gregg: “And the way he was smirking at you, like a cat in the fishmonger’s! You should have slapped his face!” Darned right!   Lucy Muir: “Why? I found him… rather charming!” Liar. Captain Gregg: “‘Rather charming!’ Now you’re starting to talk like him!” You are correct, Sir. Lucy Muir: “How in blazes do you want me to talk?” Heh, heh, heh.   Captain Gregg: “That’s better!” Indeed.

Okay, okay, maybe a little description before we continue… plot… story line? Turn of the century – the previous one. London (but really coastal California). Sea Captain Gregg is The Ghost; Lucy is the recently widowed Mrs. Muir. Lucy buys the ghostly house at the sea, writes the captain’s memoirs, perfects speaking her mind and they die happily ever after. That’s it, I’ll give no more. WikiLies says: American supernatural romantic fantasy film. Wow: you may safely scrap all but romantic from that. IMDB is not bad: In 1900, a young widow finds her seaside cottage is haunted and forms a unique relationship with the ghost. TCM has it better: A spirited widow rents a haunted cottage and builds an emotional bond with the resident ghost. AmazaTheft has it best: A romance between a young widow and a sea captain’s ghost weaves a magical tale of immortal love.

I believe that the film captured this accurately from the published words of author Josephine Leslie:

“Oh, Lucia the captain said softly, you are so little and so lovely. how I would have liked to have taken you to Norway and shown you the fjords in the midnight sun, and to China- what you’ve missed, Lucia, by being born too late to travel the Seven Seas with me! And what I’ve missed, too.”

Lucy Muir: “I’m sorry. It’s very kind of you to want me back, but I’m going to stay [at the house]. I’ll manage somehow; so, please be good enough to shove off.”

And this gem:

Lucy Muir: “He took me unaware!”   Captain Gregg: “My dear, since Eve picked the apple, no woman ‘s ever been taken entirely unawares.”

I’m not easy to please, and I like the captain… Lucia as well. I like the idea of their life. I enjoyed the interplay… the chemistry is tangible. I laughed: “The comedy in the film is also top notch. There are a handful of moments where other people can’t see the Captain but they can hear him. So when he yells extremities at them, they’re left with turning to the only other living person in the room, Mrs. Muir, and the misunderstanding that unfolds is delightful.” I grabbed that from the all-knowing InterWeb, and I agree completely.

Lucy Muir: “You seem to be very… earthly for a spirit.”   Captain Gregg: “And you, madam, are enough to make a saint turn to blasphemy!”

You must feel for the captain, in his ethereal state, what he sorely misses. Some yahoo online put it this way: “The film offers such a wonderful meditation on love, loneliness, loss, and the hardships of life.” This is correct.

Captain Gregg: “Ah yes. The customs of Marseilles are different to any…” Lucy Muir: “Different *from*.” Captain Gregg: “*To* or *from*, who cares? This isn’t a blasted literary epic, it’s the unvarnished story of a seaman’s life!” Lucy Muir: “It certainly is unvarnished!” Captain Gregg: “Well, smear on your own varnish, change the grammar all you please, but leave the guts in it!”

I particularly enjoy the use of “blast” throughout by the captain (and Lucy later). And the flirting… the old school courting even – wonderful. I noted to Wifey that a movie poster of the day displays Lucy wearing a shapely deep-vee silky robe having nipples pointed. Another has her dressed in a strapped form-fitting gown – showing LEG – when in the movie her clothing (and modesty) never drops below her neck and rarely above her ankles (even when swimming). Hmmm. She shrugged me off as naïve – even then [implied] sex sold tickets. Wifey bashed the soundtrack, whereas I thought that it got the job done – especially during the dramatic waves crashing. Avast landlubber… 1947.

Captain Gregg: “Confound it, madam, my language is most controlled. And as for me morals, I lived a man ‘s life and I’m not ashamed of it; and, I can assure you no woman’s ever been the worse for knowing me – and I’d like to know how many mealy-mouthed bluenoses can say the same.”

I did not read the source book – I don’t want to ruin my fantasy as is. I know that I must have seen the TV series back a thousand years because I can envision the lead actor – too friendly and not plausible as a salty dog. Here, in this film, we have no arrogant witchdoctors, no unlawful keystone coppers, no unethical shysters, no political dimwits… just a man and a woman – enjoying each other’s company and sometimes speaking spicily to each other. As to my title above, all will be revealed within. “Women named Lucy are always being imposed upon but, Lucia, there’s a name for an Amazon, for a queen.” Give it a go – you won’t be disappointed.

“CHEER OFF, YOU BLASTED MUD TURTLE! Can’t you see there’s NO ROOM!”