The Canterville Ghost (1944): Cast & Plot
The Canterville Ghost is a 1944 fantasy comedy directed by Jules Dassin, starring Peter Lawford as Anthony de Canterville, Charles Laughton and Margaret O'Brien. It runs 1 hour 35 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 35m (95 min)
- Director
- Jules Dassin
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Canterville Ghost About?
The premise of The Canterville Ghost without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
It puts you in the best of spirits! The descendent of a ghost imprisoned for cowardice hopes to free the spirit by displaying courage when under duress.
The Canterville Ghost Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- army private
- aunt niece relationship
- bomb explosion
- boogie woogie dancing
- entombed alive
- family curse
- army lieutenant
- pet dog
- jousting match
- stag hunting
- army jeep
- jitterbug dancing
+38 more Show fewer
- uncle nephew relationship
- dance party
- signet ring
- u.s. army soldier
- serving tea
- uncle niece relationship
- great dane
- military platoon
- army rangers
- oriel window
- battle
- bomb disposal
- gravestone
- 1600s
- flashback
- man wears a tee shirt and boxer shorts
- begins with a flashback
- men dancing
- castle
- blood
- family honor
- ghost
- reference to count basie
- reference to duke ellington
- supernatural power
- haunting
- based on short story
- trapped
- redemption
- coward
- courage
- afterlife
- sergeant
- u.s. army
- stag
- parachute
- nobility
- machine gun
The Canterville Ghost Cast & Characters
Peter Lawford leads the cast as Anthony de Canterville, with Charles Laughton as Sir Simon de Canterville / The Ghost and Margaret O'Brien as Lady Jessica de Canterville. Directed by Jules Dassin; 18 actors are credited in all.
-
Director Jules Dassin
-
Peter Lawford as Anthony de Canterville - Charles Laughton as Sir Simon de Canterville / The Ghost
- Margaret O'Brien as Lady Jessica de Canterville
-
Reginald Owen as Lord Canterville
Also Starring in The Canterville Ghost
· 14 more- Robert Young Cuffy Williams
- Donald Stuart Sir Valentine Williams
- Una O'Connor Mrs. Umney
- Frank Faylen Lieutenant John Kane
- William Tannen Jordan
- Mike Mazurki Metropolus
- Elisabeth Risdon Mrs. Polverdine
- Jack Lambert Trigger
- Lumsden Hare Mr. Potts
- William Gargan Sergeant Benson
- Rags Ragland Big Harry Waters
- Marc Cramer Bugsy McDougle
- William Moss Hector
- Bobby Readick Eddie
The Canterville Ghost Plot Summary
What happens in The Canterville Ghost from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In the seventeenth century, Sir Simon de Canterville [Charles Laughton] is forced by the Code of Chivalry to duel on behalf of his brother, but flees to the family castle when his opponent engages a substitute—a giant, the Bold Sir Guy. His proud father, Lord Canterville [Reginald Owen], refuses to acknowledge that his son has disgraced the family name, even when shown in front of witnesses where Simon is cowering. The father bricks over the only entrance to his son’s hiding place as proof that Simon is not there, ignoring Simon’s pleas for mercy. Lord Canterville then curses his doomed cowardly son to find no rest until “a kinsman shall perform an act of bravery” in his name, wearing his signet ring.
Full summary
The whole story of The Canterville Ghost, scene by scene
The Canterville Ghost Trailers & Videos
The trailer of The Canterville Ghost.
How Well Do You Know The Canterville Ghost?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Which actor portrayed Sir Simon de Canterville?
The Canterville Ghost Also Known As
7 alternative titles, including “El fantasma de Canterville” and “Das Gespenst von Canterville”.
- Also known as
-
- El fantasma de Canterville
- Das Gespenst von Canterville
- Lo spettro di Canterville
- Le Fantôme de Canterville
- Кентервильское привидение
- Spöket på Canterville
- Кентервільський привид
Seen The Canterville Ghost?
Movies Like The Canterville Ghost
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including The Canterville Ghost, The Canterville Ghost and A Canterbury Tale.
-
The Canterville Ghost 2023 -
The Canterville Ghost 2001 -
A Canterbury Tale 1944 -
The Enchanted Cottage 1945 -
A-Haunting We Will Go 1942 -
Have You Got Any Castles 1938 -
Castle Keep 1969 -
Charlie’s Ghost Story 1994 -
A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court 1949 -
The Ghost Talks 1949 -
The Adventures of Gerard 1970 -
High C’s 1930
The Canterville Ghost FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of The Canterville Ghost, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Canterville Ghost?
The Canterville Ghost runs 1 hour 35 minutes (95 minutes).
When was The Canterville Ghost released?
The Canterville Ghost was released on July 20, 1944.
Who directed The Canterville Ghost?
The Canterville Ghost was directed by Jules Dassin.
More films by Jules Dassin Who is in the cast of The Canterville Ghost?
The Canterville Ghost stars Peter Lawford as Anthony de Canterville, Charles Laughton as Sir Simon de Canterville / The Ghost and Margaret O'Brien as Lady Jessica de Canterville, among 18 credited actors.
Does The Canterville Ghost have a post-credit scene?
No. The Canterville Ghost has no extra scene during or after the credits.
Coming soon to your phone
The Plot Explained Movie Summary App
From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.
Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app
