The Ghost Breakers (1940): Cast & Plot
The Ghost Breakers is a 1940 comedy horror film directed by George Marshall, starring Paulette Goddard as Mary Carter, Blanca Vischer and Bob Hope. It runs 1 hour 25 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 25m (85 min)
- Director
- George Marshall
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Paramount Pictures
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Ghost Breakers About?
The premise of The Ghost Breakers without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
After hard‑working Mary Carter inherits a famously haunted mansion off the Cuban coast, a mysterious phone call warns her to stay away. Unfazed, she sails to Cuba accompanied by the quick‑tongued radio announcer Larry Lawrence, who hides in her trunk. Together they confront the estate’s alleged voodoo curses, zombies and restless ghosts, as they unravel the mystery behind the legend.
The Ghost Breakers Themes & Keywords
· 40 tags- valet
- zombie
- voodoo
- haunted house
- psychotronic film
- treasure hunt
- radio personality
- gangster
- .32 caliber gun
- steamer trunk
- advisor
- twin brother
+28 more Show fewer
- haunted castle
- stabbing victim
- falling through the floor
- gold vein
- female caretaker
- ocean liner
- secret entrance
- crypt
- casket
- pipe organ
- thunderstorm
- plantation
- framed portrait
- motorboat
- ends with a kiss
- gothic horror
- citywide blackout
- three word title
- island
- heiress
- held at gunpoint
- great great grandfather
- supernatural power
- radio broadcasting
- murder
- inheritance
- havana cuba
- based on play
The Ghost Breakers Cast & Characters
Paulette Goddard leads the cast as Mary Carter, with Blanca Vischer as Dolores - Cuban Girl (uncredited) and Bob Hope as Larry Lawrence. Directed by George Marshall; 34 actors are credited in all.
- Director George Marshall
-
Paulette Goddard as Mary Carter - Blanca Vischer as Dolores - Cuban Girl (uncredited)
-
Bob Hope as Larry Lawrence -
Paul Fix as Frenchy Duval
Also Starring in The Ghost Breakers
· 30 more- Paul Lukas Parada
- Willie Best Alex
- Richard Carlson Geoff Montgomery
- Anthony Quinn Ramon Mederes / Francisco Mederes
- Tom Dugan Raspy Kelly
- Noble Johnson The Zombie
- James Flavin Hotel Porter (uncredited)
- Max Wagner Ship Porter (uncredited)
- Virginia Brissac Mother Zombie
- Robert Ryan Intern (uncredited)
- Douglas Kennedy Intern (uncredited)
- Larry Steers Man in Hotel Hallway (uncredited)
- Tom Quinn Man in Hotel Hallway (uncredited)
- Pedro de Cordoba Havez (as Pedro De Cordoba)
- Lloyd Corrigan Martin
- Grace Hayle Screaming Woman (uncredited)
Show all 34 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Claire James Las Palmas Club Patron (uncredited)
- Dolores Moran Las Palmas Patron (uncredited)
- Emmett Vogan Radio Announcer (uncredited)
- Brick Sullivan Policeman at Boat Dock (uncredited)
- Jack Norton Drunk (uncredited)
- Paul Newlan Baggage Handler (uncredited)
- Robert Elliott Lieutenant Murray (uncredited)
- James Blaine Police Sergeant (uncredited)
- David Durand Bellhop (uncredited)
- Francisco Marín Headwaiter (uncredited)
- Kay Stewart Telephone Girl (uncredited)
- Jack Hatfield Elevator Boy (uncredited)
- Leonard Sues Newsboy (uncredited)
- Jack Edwards Ship Bellboy (uncredited)
The Ghost Breakers Plot Summary
What happens in The Ghost Breakers 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
The film unfolds on a stormy 1940 night in Manhattan, where a tense radio broadcast from a bustling studio sets the stage. Larry Lawrence, Bob Hope, uses the airwaves to expose the crimes of the dangerous underworld boss Frenchy Duval, Paul Fix, stirring danger and intrigue to life beyond the airwaves. In her hotel suite, Mary Carter, Paulette Goddard, sits listening as a sinister visitor arrives. Parada, Paul Lukas, a Cuban solicitor with a dark purpose, delivers Mary the deed to a distant inheritance—a plantation and mansion in Cuba. Despite Parada’s warnings and the shadowy hints that surround the property, Mary makes a decisive choice: she will travel to inspect the estate in person.
Full summary
The whole story of The Ghost Breakers, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know The Ghost Breakers?
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 the radio host Larry Lawrence?
Cars in The Ghost Breakers
2 cars on screen: the 1940 Oldsmobile 60 and the unknown.
-
1940 Oldsmobile 60 Minor role -
unknown Minor role
The Ghost Breakers Also Known As
10 alternative titles, including “Ingen rädder för spöken” and “Le Mystère du château maudit”.
- Also known as
-
- Ingen rädder för spöken
- Le Mystère du château maudit
- La donna e lo spettro
- Κυνηγός Φαντασμάτων
- El castillo maldito
- 古堡捉妖记
- O Castelo Sinistro
- Охотники за привидениями
- 더 고스트 브레이커스
- Ingen rädder för spöken...
Seen The Ghost Breakers?
Movies Like The Ghost Breakers
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including The Ghost Walks, Hold That Ghost and The Ghost.
The Ghost Breakers FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of The Ghost Breakers, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Ghost Breakers?
The Ghost Breakers runs 1 hour 25 minutes (85 minutes).
When was The Ghost Breakers released?
The Ghost Breakers was released on June 7, 1940.
Who directed The Ghost Breakers?
The Ghost Breakers was directed by George Marshall.
More films by George Marshall Who is in the cast of The Ghost Breakers?
The Ghost Breakers stars Paulette Goddard as Mary Carter, Blanca Vischer as Dolores - Cuban Girl (uncredited) and Bob Hope as Larry Lawrence, among 34 credited actors.
Does The Ghost Breakers have a post-credit scene?
No. The Ghost Breakers has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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