The Ghost and Mrs. Muir (1947)

Gene Tierney, Rex Harrison, George Sanders

Directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz

Available to stream on Amazon Prime

Our January movies all feature British actor Rex Harrison, best known today for his Oscar winning role as Henry Higgins in My Fair Lady. With a film and stage career ranging from the 1930's to the 1980's, Harrison appeared in several other films that we consider must-watch classics. One of these is The Ghost and Mrs. Muir.

In Victorian era England a widow (Gene Tierney) rents a cottage haunted by the ghost of the previous owner, sea captain Rex Harrison, and a relationship develops between the two.

Gene Tierney and Rex Harrison in "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir"

Why we love it: This is a delightful and beautifully made fantasy/romance with excellent acting, dramatic lighting, and a beautiful score. Rex Harrison is superb as Captain Gregg.

In The Essentials Vol. 2, Jeremy Arnold describes one of the most beautiful and memorable moments from the film:

In one of the most moving scenes, Daniel bids farewell to Lucy as she sleeps, mourning what might have been but accepting that she needs to forge her own life.  Rex Harrison’s vocal performance and Bernard Hermann’s music work in tandem to make the scene ebb and swell like an ocean wave – from a hushed near-kiss to Harrison’s loud, stirring lament, “What we’ve missed, Lucia!”  beautifully lit, performed, and edited, it’s enough to tear at anyone’s heartstrings.  Screenwriter Philip Dunne later called this his favorite moment of his entire writing career.

Fun Facts:

• The music is by Bernard Herrmann, composer and conductor, who would later become known for his collaboration with Alfred Hitchcock, writing scores for seven Hitchcock films. Herrmann once said that he considered his score for The Ghost and Mrs. Muir his best work.

Gene Tierney and Rex Harrison

• 8-year-old Natalie Wood plays Mrs. Muir's young daughter. This was her third film and director Joe Mankiewicz was impressed with her intelligence and professionalism. The other film she made in 1947, Miracle on 34th Street, would establish her as one of the greatest child actors.

Natalie Wood in "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir"

• The film received an Oscar nomination for its black-and-white cinematography.

• For reviews and articles from the time, go to the Fan Magazine Reviews page.

Featured cocktail:

Dark and Stormy

Considered the national drink of Bermuda, this drink has a registered trademark and must be made with Goslings Black Seal rum, a rich, flavorful, dark Bermudan rum. The Gosling distillery claims to have originated this drink in the 1920s.

2 oz (60 ml) Goslings Black Seal rum or a substitute dark rum (we won’t tell!)

½ oz (15 ml) lime juice

3-5 oz (90-150 ml) ginger beer

Lime wheel or wedge to garnish

Add the rum and lime juice to an ice-filled tall glass. Float the ginger beer on top. Lightly stir until it looks like a storm cloud. Add garnish.

Cheers to the Classics!