Sunday, October 18, 2009

Countdown, Day 18: The Ghost and Mr. Chicken



One of my favorite films to watch around Halloween time is The Ghost and Mr. Chicken. Ever since I was a kid I've always loved Don Knotts, and this film is my favorite of his. The story centers around Luther Heggs, a jerky, quirky typesetter for the town paper who aspires to move up from his basement office to be a full-fledged reporter. The story follows the Old Simmons House, which is known as a "murder house" around town due to the murder/suicide of Mr. and Mrs. Simmons 20 years earlier. Rumor has it that you can hear the ghost of Mr. Simmons playing the organ at midnight. To boost newspaper sales, Luther is assigned to spend the night in the house on the night of the 20th anniversary of the murders. All is well until midnight, when Luther sees the old organ begin to play by itself and hilarity ensues. His story makes him the town hero until Nicholas Simmons, nephew of the deceased couple, sues Luther for libel. In the courtroom, Luther is made to look the fool, but the judge orders the courtroom to the Simmons House at midnight to allow Luther to prove his story. Nothing happens, of course, but after everyone except Luther leaves, the old organ begins to play again....what happens next will solve the mystery of the old Simmons house! The Ghost and Mr. Chicken definitely a fun movie to watch.

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