The Time of Their Lives (1946): Cast & Plot
The Time of Their Lives is a 1946 comedy horror film directed by Charles Barton, starring Lou Costello as Horatio Prim, William H. O'Brien and Jess Barker. It runs 1 hour 22 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 22m (82 min)
- Director
- Charles Barton
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Universal Pictures
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Time of Their Lives About?
The premise of The Time of Their Lives without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Lou, a friendly specter, haunts a New England home at no charge. He teams up with two Revolutionary‑War ghosts who were wrongly labeled traitors. They travel to the 20th‑century present to locate a lost George Washington letter that could clear their names and restore their honor.
The Time of Their Lives Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- psychotronic film
- screwball comedy
- universal classic monster
- universal monsters
- wishing well
- song
- singer
- treachery
- vindication
- explosion
- breaking the fourth wall
- 1780s
+38 more Show fewer
- revolutionary war
- dappled grey horse
- well
- traitor
- letter
- ghost
- thrown down a well
- false accusation
- secret compartment
- safe
- romantic rivalry
- robbery
- radio
- pitchfork
- party
- new york
- new york city
- museum
- mistaken identity
- military officer
- housekeeper
- heaven
- hay
- haunted house
- furniture
- fire
- engagement
- elopement
- electricity
- eavesdropping
- dancing
- curse
- butler
- burial
- barn
- prankster
- invisibility
- clock
The Time of Their Lives Cast & Characters
Lou Costello leads the cast as Horatio Prim, with William H. O'Brien as Danbury Servant (uncredited) and Jess Barker as Thomas Danbury. Directed by Charles Barton; 27 actors are credited in all.
- Director Charles Barton
- Lou Costello as Horatio Prim
- William H. O'Brien as Danbury Servant (uncredited)
- Jess Barker as Thomas Danbury
- Ann Gillis as Nora O'Leary
Also Starring in The Time of Their Lives
· 23 more- Bud Abbott Cuthbert Greenway / Dr. Ralph Greenway
- Marjorie Reynolds Melody Allen
- John Shelton Sheldon Gage
- Lynn Baggett June Prescott
- Gale Sondergaard Emily
- Robert Barrat Maj. Putnam
- John Crawford Dandy at Party (uncredited)
- Selmer Jackson Mr. Dibbs - Museum Curator (uncredited)
- James Conaty Party Guest (uncredited)
- Wheaton Chambers Bill - Museum Guard (uncredited)
- Myron Healey Dandy at Party (uncredited)
- Donald MacBride Lt. Mason
- Rex Lease Sgt. Makepeace
- Boyd Irwin Cranwell - Traitor (uncredited)
- Binnie Barnes Mildred Dean
- George M. Carleton Museum Guard (uncredited)
Show all 27 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Kirk Alyn Dandy at Party (uncredited)
- William Hall Sgt. Conners
- Marjorie Eaton Bessie - Danbury's Maid (uncredited)
- Vernon Downing Leigh - Traitor (uncredited)
- Harry Brown Second Sergeant (uncredited)
- Scott Thomson Dandy at Party (uncredited)
- Harry Woolman Motorcycle Rider (uncredited)
More from Charles Barton
More films directed by Charles Barton: Zorro, the Avenger, The Peter Tchaikovsky Story, Dance with Me, Henry and Ma and Pa Kettle at the Fair.
The Time of Their Lives Plot Summary
What happens in The Time of Their Lives from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In 1780, the master tinker Horatio Prim, Lou Costello, arrives at the Kings Point estate of Tom Danbury, hoping to win Danbury’s blessing to marry Nora O’Leary, a housemaid he has freed from indentured servitude with a letter of commendation from Gen. George Washington. Yet a scheming obstacle stands in his way: Danbury’s devious butler, Cuthbert Greenway, Bud Abbott, who tries to block the young couple. Nora O’Leary, Ann Gillis, hurries to show the letter to Danbury, but she overhears him plotting Benedict Arnold’s treason. In a tense moment, Danbury seizes Nora and hides the letter in a secret compartment within the mantel clock.
Full summary
The whole story of The Time of Their Lives, scene by scene
The Time of Their Lives Trailers & Videos
The trailer of The Time of Their Lives.
How Well Do You Know The Time of Their Lives?
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
Who plays the bumbling ghost Horatio Prim?
The Time of Their Lives Also Known As
11 alternative titles, including “The Ghost Steps Out” and “Se ci sei batti due colpi”.
- Also known as
-
- The Ghost Steps Out
- Se ci sei batti due colpi
- El fantasma huye
- Време њиховог живота
- Abbott y Costello: Ni vivos ni muertos
- Deux Nigauds dans le manoir hanté
- 他们的生命
- Abbott i Costello Ich Długie Życie
- Час їх життів
- Fantasmas Endiabrados
- Förlåt, att jag spökar
Seen The Time of Their Lives?
Movies Like The Time of Their Lives
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including The Comedy of Terrors, Spook Louder and Hold That Ghost.
The Time of Their Lives FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of The Time of Their Lives, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Time of Their Lives?
The Time of Their Lives runs 1 hour 22 minutes (82 minutes).
When was The Time of Their Lives released?
The Time of Their Lives was released on August 13, 1946.
Who directed The Time of Their Lives?
The Time of Their Lives was directed by Charles Barton.
More films by Charles Barton Who is in the cast of The Time of Their Lives?
The Time of Their Lives stars Lou Costello as Horatio Prim, William H. O'Brien as Danbury Servant (uncredited) and Jess Barker as Thomas Danbury, among 27 credited actors.
Does The Time of Their Lives have a post-credit scene?
No. The Time of Their Lives has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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