What Is Ghost Wanted About?
The premise of Ghost Wanted in 275 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In a whimsical corner of the spirit world where the supernatural meets the playful, The Laughing Ghost spends his quiet hours mastering the art of the scare. With a well-thumbed copy of How To Haunt Houses as his guide, he practices his posture and perfects his moans, approaching the spectral trade with the wide-eyed enthusiasm of a true newcomer. His tiny, friendly haunted space serves as both home and classroom, a safe haven where ambition quietly stirs amid the dust and echoes, waiting for the right moment to drift out into the wider world.
Opportunity soon calls through a promising advertisement tucked inside the Saturday Evening Ghost. A listing for a house-haunting position at a mansion perched high on a mountain catches his eye, particularly the inviting note that no prior experience is required. Sensing a perfect chance to finally stretch his spectral muscles, the little ghost trades his casual white sheet for a crisp light blue suit and matching white hat, transforming from an amateur into a professional applicant ready for the journey that lies ahead.
Upon arrival at the ominous address of 1313 Dracula Drive, the audition process proves to be far more intense than a standard job interview. Under the scrutiny of a much larger, seasoned ghost, the atmosphere shifts from professional curiosity to a tense test of nerve. The imposing interviewer seems intent on challenging the newcomer at every turn, setting the stage for a chaotic encounter. As the little ghost steps into the mansion’s shadowy halls, he finds that the path to employment is fraught with intimidation, promising a series of challenges that will test his courage and his wits.
What Happens in Ghost Wanted?
The complete story of Ghost Wanted, from the first scene to the last, in 505 words (about 2 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 1 cast member page.
Spoilers ahead
The Laughing Ghost (Tex Avery) is at home in a tiny, friendly haunted space, quietly studying a book titled How To Haunt Houses and trying out a few classic haunting poses that the book swears are usually successful for specters. With a gleam of curiosity, he flips through pages that show goofy,-but-effective stances, popping into each pose and admiring his own reflection in a dusty mirror. After a spell of pose-practice, he toggles over to the Haunt Ads tucked inside the Saturday Evening Ghost, dated Saturday December 13, 1939—a date that, in real life, fell on a Wednesday—and scans the listings with the air of a hopeful job seeker. The excitement of possibility grows as he imagines new, mischievous adventures waiting just beyond the page.
One listing stands out: a haunting job at a house perched high on a mountain, addressed at 1313 Dracula Drive. It promises that no prior experience is required, which suits our little ghost perfectly. He shimmies out of his white, sheet-like outfit and slides into a light blue suit, topping it with a crisp white hat. Between wardrobe changes, he remains invisible, quietly sliding through walls and corridors. Yet he still finds it oddly satisfying to open doors as he glides past, turning even the simple act of entering a room into a playful flourish.
When he arrives at the mountain house, the assignment quickly becomes more than a routine scouting of space. The job interview—or rather, the audition—unfolds under the scrutiny of a bigger, more seasoned ghost who seems determined to test the newcomer. The imposing interviewer launches a barrage of intimidation: a loud, taunting “Boo!” that jolts the little ghost, a Ghostal Telegraph that flashes the same chilling message, and even a lit firecracker that resembles an M-80 dropped into the scene to scare him further.
Boo!
The spectacle of this larger ghost’s plans backfires in a flash. The fireworks, tucked into his own back pocket, ignite when a stray match he drops catches, and the fuses explode into a chaotic, comic blaze. The bigger ghost is sent hurtling through the rooms—bumbling, crashing, and careening in an slapstick, unstoppable flight—until he crashes out of the building and plummets into a well bellowing with echoing splash and laughter from the surrounding shadows. Meanwhile, the little ghost uses the confusion to slip away, a cheerful spark of relief lighting his translucent form, and he makes a quick, victorious retreat back to the safety and familiar comfort of his own house.
In the aftermath, the mountain mansion’s eerie silence settles once more, punctuated only by distant creaks and the soft flutter of curtain hems caught in a stray draft. The little ghost, relieved and a touch gleeful, settles back into his daily routine, flipping the pages of How To Haunt Houses and planning his next lighthearted venture. The encounter with the larger interviewer becomes not just a brush with danger, but a reminder of why playful tricks and clever improvisation—hallmarks of this director’s world—keep haunting life both amusing and endlessly inventive.
Ghost Wanted Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
12 key events in the order they happen, from “Guided by How To Haunt Houses” to “A new chapter for the little ghost”. 12 events name a place, across 3 locations.
- 1
Guided by How To Haunt Houses
The little ghost stays in his house and studies a book titled How To Haunt Houses, trying out several haunting poses from the guide. He also reads the Haunt Ads in the Saturday Evening Ghost, noting a lead dated Saturday December 13, 1939. This moment marks his first step toward professional haunting.
When:Saturday December 13, 1939 Where:Little ghost's house
- 2
No-experience job at Dracula Drive
He discovers a haunting job listing at 1313 Dracula Drive that does not require prior experience. The mountain-address entices him with the promise of a simple, effective haunting. He resolves to pursue the position.
Where:Little ghost's house
- 3
Suit change and invisibility
Before departing, he swaps from his white 'suit/sheets' into a light blue suit and white hat. He becomes invisible during the brief moment of the change, but he still prefers opening doors rather than passing through them invisibly. The transformation signals readiness for the upcoming audition.
Where:Little ghost's house
- 4
Arrival at the mountain house
Arriving at 1313 Dracula Drive, the mountain-side house, he prepares to audition for the job. The ominous mansion becomes the setting for his first real test as a house-haunter.
When:Night Where:1313 Dracula Drive
- 5
Audition with an intimidating overseer
During the audition, a bigger ghost oversees the process and immediately makes his presence felt. The little ghost feels small against the larger specter as he is questioned and watched closely.
When:Night Where:1313 Dracula Drive
- 6
Boo! and the Ghostal Telegraph
The bigger ghost yells Boo! to frighten him and even sends a Ghostal Telegraph that repeats the taunt. The little ghost steadies himself as the intimidation escalates.
When:Night Where:1313 Dracula Drive
- 7
A lit firecracker threat
To push the scare, the bigger ghost drops a lit firecracker resembling an M-80. The little ghost barely escapes the blast as panic spreads through the haunted space.
When:Night Where:1313 Dracula Drive
- 8
Back-pocket fireworks backfire
The bigger ghost’s plan backfires when the fuses of the fireworks tucked in his back pocket are lit by the match he dropped. Chaos erupts as the fireworks ignite and shoot across the house.
When:Night Where:1313 Dracula Drive
- 9
The big ghost is launched outside
Propelled by the chaotic blast, the bigger ghost is sent flying through the house and ends up in a well outside the building. The little ghost seizes the moment to flee.
When:Night Where:Outside 1313 Dracula Drive
- 10
Escape back to his own house
Seizing the moment, the little ghost flees from the chaos and heads back to his own house. He safely leaves the chaotic encounter behind him and returns to safety.
Where:Little ghost's house
- 11
Aftermath of the failed audition
The big ghost's plan has failed, and the house settles into a uneasy quiet. The little ghost's resolve to haunt remains intact, having survived the encounter and learned from the perilous audition.
Where:1313 Dracula Drive
- 12
A new chapter for the little ghost
With the episode behind him, the little ghost continues to dream of haunting houses, refining his approach and preparing for future opportunities. The experience marks a turning point in his budding haunting career.
Where:Little ghost's house
Who Are the Main Characters in Ghost Wanted?
3 characters, among them Little Ghost, Big Ghost and Laughing Ghost (Tex Avery): who each one is and the part they play in the story. 1 of them link to the actor’s page.
- LG
Little Ghost
A small, eager ghost who longs to haunt without experience. He studies Haunt Ads and experiments with different haunting poses, disguises, and doors, showing quick wits and a cautious, curious nature. He keeps moving despite scares, relying on clever ideas to survive the interview and escape danger.
- 👻 Ghost
- 🧠 Clever
- BG
Big Ghost
A larger, intimidating ghost who handles the job interview and uses loud Boo!'s and a Ghostal Telegraph to intimidate the applicant. His plans backfire when his own fireworks fuse and unleash chaos, sending him ricocheting through the house and out a well. He embodies the danger of bullying and the slapstick consequence of overconfidence.
- 👺 Villain
- ⚡ Threat
- 🧨 Chaos
- LG
Laughing Ghost (Tex Avery)
Played by Tex Avery
The Laughing Ghost provides the vocal presence for the spectral world, adding a playful, mocking energy to the chase. His laughter punctuates the chaos around the little ghost, contributing to the film's comedic rhythm as a voice-only character.
- 🎤 Voice
- 👻 Specter
Where and When Is Ghost Wanted Set?
Ghost Wanted is set in 1313 Dracula Drive and the little ghost's house (1939). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
1939
The story unfolds in the late 1930s, with humor and visuals typical of that era's animated shorts. It references a fictional Haunt Ads section and an issue dated December 13, 1939, anchoring the plot in that year. The overall vibe mirrors the period's brisk, gag-driven storytelling.
Where
1313 Dracula Drive, the little ghost's house
The action centers on a mountain-top haunted house at 1313 Dracula Drive and the little ghost's own residence nearby. The mansion serves as the main venue for a new haunting job, full of creaking doors and shadowy corridors. The setting juxtaposes the ghostly premise with a cozy, homey origin point for the protagonist.
- 🏔 Mountain setting
- 🏚 Haunted house
- 🎭 Comedy
What Are the Themes of Ghost Wanted?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Courage, Rivalry and Illusion.
-
01
Courage
The little ghost faces fear when applying for a haunting job, then finds resolve to press on. Each misstep becomes a test of nerve, not a reason to quit. Resourcefulness and persistence emerge as the key tools that keep him moving forward. The humor emphasizes bravery in the face of danger.
-
02
Rivalry
A competitive dynamic drives the plot as a bigger ghost interviews the smaller one for the vacancy. Boisterous taunts and practical jokes escalate the tension. The comic clashes between the competitors reveal how pride can backfire. Ultimately the sabotage yields a slapstick showdown rather than a straightforward win.
-
03
Illusion
The little ghost tests disguises and a new blue suit to become invisible, using tricks to navigate the house. Illusions blur the line between threat and farce, fueling misdirection and quick escapes. But misused tricks backfire, turning plans into chaos. The ending underscores that showy tricks can be more trouble than they are worth.
What Kind of Film Is Ghost Wanted?
Whimsical in tone, with fast pacing and a straightforward story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Whimsical
- Pacing
- Fast
- Story
- Straightforward
- Intensity
- Low
- Ending
- Happy
A fast-paced, whimsical cartoon short that feels like a playful and surreal romp where an anxious little ghost endures a mischievous job interview.
- playful
- humorous
- cartoonish
- surreal
- lighthearted
- mischievous
- ghosts
- haunting
- job interview
- mischief
Quiz
How well do you remember Ghost Wanted? Test yourself on the story.
