The Ghost and Mr. Chicken
The Ghost and Mr. Chicken

The Ghost and Mr. Chicken

1966Movie90 minEnglish

Luther Heggs, a typesetter for the town newspaper, pitches an idea for a story about a local haunted house where a famous murder/suicide occurred 20 years earlier. After the editor assigns Luther to spend one night alone in the mansion, Heggs has a number of supernatural encounters and writes a front page story that makes him a hometown hero...until the nephew of the deceased sues him for libel.

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Insights

IMDb6.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes67%
Google Users80%
Director: Alan RafkinGenres: Comedy, Horror, Mystery

Plot Summary

Luther Heggs, a timid typesetter, boasts that he can spend a night in a local "haunted" mansion and write a story about it. His editor accepts the challenge, hoping to gain publicity for their newspaper. Luther, terrified but determined, enters the spooky estate, only to encounter a series of eerie events that blur the line between supernatural occurrences and elaborate pranks.

Critical Reception

The Ghost and Mr. Chicken was a modest commercial success, primarily appreciated for its lighthearted blend of spooky atmosphere and slapstick comedy, driven by Don Knotts's signature comedic performance. While not a critical darling, it became a beloved cult favorite among fans of classic horror-comedies and Don Knotts's work.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for Don Knotts's comedic timing and his ability to play a relatable, frightened everyman.
  • Appreciated for its playful take on haunted house tropes, offering scares and laughs in equal measure.
  • Considered a charming and entertaining B-movie that holds up well as a nostalgic comedy.

Google audience: Google users generally found the film to be a fun and amusing watch, with many highlighting Don Knotts's performance as the main draw. The movie is often remembered fondly for its nostalgic charm and its successful combination of lighthearted scares and comedy.

Fun Fact

The elaborate "haunted" house used in the film was actually a set constructed on the Universal Studios backlot, designed to look like a dilapidated Victorian mansion.

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TMDB Reviews

1 reviews
moard

moard

Classic, cannot be replicated This Don Knotts vehicle made immediately after his days on the Andy Griffith show ended has now become a classic. Knotts’ plays the nervous typesetter who spends the night in a haunted mansion. He eventually...