Svengoolie double-dog-dares you to spend a night in a haunted house this Saturday, Oct. 12, at 8pm ET/PT, when he shows Don Knotts’ classic 1966 haunted house comedy The Ghost and Mr. Chicken on his MeTV series, Svengoolie Classic Horror & Sci-Fi Movie.
Knotts plays Luther Heggs, a nervous newspaper typesetter with big dreams of becoming a reporter. But what if the only way to make those dreams come true is to… spend the night in a house where a famous murder happened? Will anyone believe what he saw after the night?
Knotts’ first major outing as a movie star was a major hit; the film earned eight times its budget and led to Knotts starring in a string of comedy films for Universal over the next decade. But out of all of them, The Ghost and Mr. Chicken might just be the best.
So step into our secret passageway and learn five things you never knew about the The Ghost and Mr. Chicken. Unless you’re too … chicken?.
The Ghost and Mr. Chicken is a funny comedy from 1966 that stars the one and only Don Knotts. This classic movie has been making people happy for more than 50 years. It was directed by Alan Rafkin and written by James Fritzell and Everett Greenbaum. Let’s look more closely at why The Ghost and Mr. Chicken deserves its cult status.
An Overview of The Film
The Ghost and Mr. Chicken is set in the fictional town of Rachel, Kansas. Don Knotts plays Luther Heggs, a nerdy typesetter who dreams of being a real journalist. When the town is abuzz with the 20th anniversary of the unsolved murder-suicide at the haunted Simmons mansion, Luther sees his chance to get a big scoop. He decides to spend the night in the mansion to investigate the ghostly happenings.
After a scary night, Luther’s shocking story makes him famous in his town. But the mansion’s cranky owner sues Luther for libel. To defend himself and show that the ghost is real, Luther needs to solve the mystery that has been going on for decades.
The film combines comedy mystery and horror elements as Luther gets caught up in the spooky going-ons. The laughs come from Luther’s bumbling earnestness as well as hilarious supporting characters.
Don Knotts’ Comical Brilliance
Don Knotts is truly the star of the show in The Ghost and Mr. Chicken. His nerdy, high-strung persona is a perfect fit for the role of Luther Knotts excels at physical comedy, making the most of Luther’s exaggerated reactions to the mansion’s paranormal pranks. He switches seamlessly between goofy comedy and moments of courage
Knotts was already well-known for his role as Deputy Barney Fife on A.G. This was his first lead role after leaving the sitcom, and it made him famous as a great comedian. His performances in The Ghost and Mr. Chicken and other films like The Incredible Mr. Limpet showcase his impeccable timing and hilarious facial expressions.
Memorable Supporting Cast
While Don Knotts is the undisputed star, the supporting cast of The Ghost and Mr. Chicken adds to the humor. Joan Staley is sweet as Luther’s love interest Alma. Dick Sargent (later of Bewitched fame) has some great scenes as Luther’s boss. And Liam Redmond is spooky fun as Luther’s mysterious mentor Kelsey.
Several Andy Griffith Show alums also appear, including Hope Summers, Burt Mustin, and Reta Shaw. Their familiar faces add to the film’s charm. The whole cast plays off each other well with great comic banter and chemistry.
Universal’s Comedic Horror Twist
The Ghost and Mr.Chicken was produced by Universal Studios, known for classic monster movies like Dracula and Frankenstein. The film puts a comedic spin on the haunted house horror genre.
As Luther looks around the spiderweb-filled mansion and listens to the eerie organ music that fills the halls, there are some really creepy parts. A memorable jump scare is the moving picture of pruning shears. But the scary parts are balanced out by the funny parts and Luther’s likeable reactions.
The blend of horror and comedy, plus Knotts’ starring role, make The Ghost and Mr. Chicken a one-of-a-kind viewing experience. It inspired a trend of other horror-comedies in the late 60s and 70s.
Why It Stands the Test of Time
Decades after its release, The Ghost and Mr. Chicken remains a cult favorite because it has something for everyone. Kids can enjoy the spooky haunted house story and Luther’s animated antics. Adults appreciate the clever dialogue and talented cast. It’s wholesome entertainment the whole family can watch together.
Most of all, the movie is just plain fun. Knotts’ memorable performance as the good-hearted Luther carries the story. The jokes still land, and the creepy organ music is always good for a spine tingle. Its blend of horror, mystery, romance and physical comedy create a highly entertaining package.
The Ghost and Mr. Chicken deserves praise for being a pioneer of the horror-comedy genre. And most importantly, it’s a treasured showcase of Don Knotts’ impeccable comedic skills. For lots of laughs and some spooky fun, revisit this comedy gem.
It Was Knotts’ First Project After The Andy Griffith Show
In 1965, Knotts announced he was leaving The Andy Griffith Show to pursue a film career. That decision alone was the product of a little bit of miscommunication — Andy Griffith had once told Knotts that he felt the show, which debuted in 1960, should end after five seasons, so as the five-year mark approached, Knotts began looking for other work and worked out a five-film deal with Universal Studios. When Griffith announced his decision to sign on for more seasons, however, Knotts stuck with his decision.
The Film Was Also Based on an Episode of The Andy Griffith Show
This wasn’t just Knotts’ first project after The Andy Griffith Show; the concept actually comes from an Andy Griffith episode. In the Season 4 episode “The Haunted House,” Opie hits a baseball into the spooky old Rimshaw House, and Andy, Barney and Gomer go in to retrieve it. The house is full of secret passages and spooky goings-on, which startle and confuse the Mayberry gang (think: floating axes and paintings with eyeballs that move).
Mr. Chicken has a similar plot (don’t read any further if you don’t want to know how the movie ends): the scary things that happen aren’t supernatural like in the Andy Griffith episode; they’re just bad people trying to scare anyone who goes into the old, empty house. In the episode, Andy gets his revenge; in the film, things play out a bit differently, but the good guys do once again triumph over the house-haunting scoundrels.
The Ghost And Mr. Chicken | Don Knotts | Clip
FAQ
Is the house in Ghost and Mr. Chicken the same as the Munsters house?
The “Simmons Mansion” is not the Munster house, although they are next door to each other on the new (relocated) Colonial street, with the Munster house on the right.
What car did Don Knotts drive in The Ghost and Mr. Chicken?
Don Knotts driving an Edsel in the movie The Ghost and Mr Chicken.
Who said Atta Boy Luther in The Ghost and Mr. Chicken?
According to Don Knotts’s autobiography, the off-screen voice yelling, “Attaboy, Luther!” belongs to screenwriter Everett Greenbaum. This film inspired a short-lived craze for yelling out “Attaboy, (name)” during speeches and other situations.