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The Ghost Breakers

Play trailer Poster for The Ghost Breakers 1940 1h 22m Mystery & Thriller Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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88% Tomatometer 8 Reviews 77% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
After intrepid working girl Mary Carter (Paulette Goddard) becomes the new owner of a reputedly haunted mansion located on Black Island near the Cuban coast, a stranger (Anthony Quinn) phones to warn her to stay away from the castle. Undaunted, Mary sets sail for Cuba with a stowaway in her trunk -- wise-cracking Larry Lawrence (Bob Hope), a radio announcer who helps Mary get to the bottom of the voodoo magic, zombies and ghosts that supposedly curse the spooky estate.
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The Ghost Breakers

Critics Reviews

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Dick Fiddy Radio Times Oct 31, 2024
4/5
The same pleasing recipe of thrills, laughs and romance keep the potboiler simmering nicely with the added bonus of some truly spooky moments amid the fun. Go to Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy Sep 19, 2020
3.5/4
An even better mix of terror and titters than The Cat and the Canary -- there's even a real zombie shuffling around the appropriately atmospheric sets. Go to Full Review Austin Kennedy Film Geek Central Jul 9, 2013
2.5/4
If it focused more on the comedy instead of a generic horror plot, then this definitely would have been a fresher comedy. Instead, it's just a mediocre movie that just so happens to have a few funny gags in it. Go to Full Review Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews Jun 25, 2010
B
Mixing laughs and scares. Go to Full Review Sean Axmaker Seanax.com Jun 11, 2010
... George Marshall makes an effort to construct the proper atmosphere around these city folk on a haunted safari in voodooland... Go to Full Review Philip Martin Arkansas Democrat-Gazette May 16, 2005
3/5
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Audience Reviews

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Mike W @MikeW269 Feb 8, 2026 Bob Hope, Paulette Goddard and Willie Best. Bob Hope performed better than expected. Paulette Goddard helped hold it all together. Willie Best was outstanding. The plot and setting were intriguing especially since few of us know much of Cuba, especially 1940 Cuba. See more Tony P @RT52435574 Oct 16, 2023 Absolutely one of the best old comedies ever made. The spooky elements are truly spooky if in a comic way. The romance of Cuba before Castro is on full display and makes you long for those elegant days and ways. Bob Hope is perfect for this story and Paulette Goddard is brilliant. Don't miss this one. See more Bill B @RT01438538 Oct 14, 2023 Less of a comedy than one might expect, although famous for its one political punchline. Mostly, Hope delivers rather low-key jokes in the midst of a mystery surrounding a haunted mansion in Cuba. See more S R @ScottR Oct 14, 2023 Typical Hope fare, but a bit older and with some spooks. We had some laughs. Interesting Cuba basis. Saw on TCM. See more Steve D @RT35616104 May 25, 2023 Amusing but that is about it. See more Oct 24, 2020 Calypso music, zombies & a haunted house! Unfortunately, there is racism... See more Read all reviews
The Ghost Breakers

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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George Marshall

Director

Bob Hope

Larry Lawrence

Paulette Goddard

Mary Carter

Richard Carlson

Geoff Montgomery

Paul Lukas

Parada

Willie Best

Alex

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The Ghost Breakers

The Ghost Breakers (1940) The Ghost Breakers (1940) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis After intrepid working girl Mary Carter (Paulette Goddard) becomes the new owner of a reputedly haunted mansion located on Black Island near the Cuban coast, a stranger (Anthony Quinn) phones to warn her to stay away from the castle. Undaunted, Mary sets sail for Cuba with a stowaway in her trunk -- wise-cracking Larry Lawrence (Bob Hope), a radio announcer who helps Mary get to the bottom of the voodoo magic, zombies and ghosts that supposedly curse the spooky estate.
Director
George Marshall
Producer
Arthur Hornblow Jr.
Screenwriter
Walter DeLeon
Distributor
Paramount Pictures
Production Co
Paramount
Genre
Mystery & Thriller, Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jun 21, 1940, Original
Release Date (DVD)
Apr 29, 2003
Runtime
1h 22m
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