The Ghost and Mr. Chicken (Universal Pictures) (1966)

Ghost’ Happy Comedy (Review) Don Knotts, the winner of three consecutive Emmy awards for his portrayal of Deputy Barney Fife in the Andy Griffith TV show, opened yesterday on the big screen much to the delight of those: present atthe’... 22s. Theatre. He stars in Universal’s Technicolor comedy mystery, “The Ghost and Mr. Chicken,”’ and his antics make the audience roar with laughter. As a typesetter on a small town newspaper who daydreams about being a reporter, and as a reporter who becomes a hero winning curvaceous Joan Staley by spending the night in a haunted house, the story is tailored to Knotts comedy talents. And in his combination of shyness and forced bravado, he is able to display the full range of his laugh-provoking ability—with great success. While the picture is all tied up in Knotts, he is provided an excellent supporting cast. Joan Staley, this time as a curvaceous brunette, is a lovely worth daydreaming about not only by Knotts but by her annoyed boy friend, Skip Homeier. He’s the regular reporter, and fits the role well. Dick Sargent, as the young publisher, and Liam Redmond, as the handy-man-about-the-place, are excellent, as are Reta Shaw, Lurene Tuttle and every member of the cast. In his debut as a feature film director after many fine television credits, Alan Rafkin’s direction does much to point up the comedy at such a pace that none of it is overlooked. Clever situations interline the well-knit screenplay by James Fritzell and Everett Greenbaum. And all of it has been steadied by the guidance of producer Edward J. Montagne, a comedy producer who has helmed, among others, the ‘McHale’s Navy’ feature films as well as the long-running TV series. And, the comedy-mystery is greatly enhanced by the deft handling of the Technicolor camera by William Margulies. Fun Films Big Success (Advance) Tickle the ticket buyer’s funnybone and chances are you'll laugh all the way to the bank. It’s inevitable in the long history of motion pictures that the sound of laughter is always matched by the sound of the cash register at the boxoffice. These are the sentiments of Edward J. Montagne, who produced Universal’s comedy film in Technicolor, ‘The Ghost and Mr. Chicken,” which stars Don Knotts and Joan Staley. He is also the producer of the hilarious “McHale’s Navy” for both TV and movies. A lot of the trouble with Hollywood in recent years, according to Montagne, was the fact that it forgot how to laugh. He thinks there were too many pictures selling sorrow. That in the main, messages are for Western Union. And as far as those kind of films are concerned, it only hurts when you laugh. Says Montagne, “I remember in the distant past when dozens of top comedies were seen in the course of a year. They weren't too involved, just simple situations that everybody figured out without too much trouble. Then, Hollywood went high-hat and got too artistic.” Montagne says he realizes that every motion picture made can’t be a comedy; that there has to be a variety of films dealing with many types of subject matter. But he points out that comedies are a surefire draw, just as they were in former years when the business was built on laughs. And that is what he delivers in “The Ghost and Mr. Chicken.” Famed Wig For A Wag (Current) Don Knotts wears a wig for a gag skit in Universal’s ‘‘The Ghost and Mr. Chicken,” now at Che e5 oan soe Theatre, that is the greatest topper in show business. The hairpiece originally was worn by Al Jolson when he was end man with the Lew Dockstader Minstrels in 1906, and is part of the collection owned by studio makeup chief Bud Westmore. “THE GHOST AND WB, ¢ SMALL TOWN REPORTER portrayed by Don Knotts in ‘The Ghost and Mr. Chicken” brings the 3-time TV Emmy award winner (for the Andy Griffith Show) to the big screen in Universal’s hilarious comedy photographed in Technicolor. (Still No. 1971-69) Plays Newspaperman (Advance) The best way to score a “‘beat”’ at the boxoffice is to play a newspaperman on the screen, according to Don Knotts. Knotts, who plays a member of the fourth estate in Universal’s “The Ghost and Mr. Chicken,” in Technicolor coming to the............ Lika a Theatre, has done a lot of research on the subject. “Stick a press card in your hat brim,” the actor says, ‘“‘put a pencil behind your ear, dangle a cigarette from the corner of your mouth and bang out a hot exclusive on a cold typewriter, is sound advice for any actor looking for a meaty role that the public likes.” Knotts asserts that throughout the years ticket buyers have cheered as their favorite actors, portraying reporters, have scooped their rivals, or told off their managing editors, or uncovered the clue leading to a master criminal, or worked themselves up from copy boy to syndicated columnist. When Knotts was asked if he thought that his newspaper role in “Running Scared” would help further enhance his star stature, he grinned: “Td be a bad reporter if I tried to predict tomorrow’s news today — we'll have to wait until people see me in this hilarious comedy with Joan Staley and Liam Redmond.” Needle In A Haystack (Current) In Hollywood, you'll not only find a needle in the haystack, but you'll find a Needle finding something else. A group of youngsters were diving into a haystack looking for buried coins in the big picnic scene with Don Knotts and Joan Staley in Universal’s “The Ghost and Mr. Chicken,” now at the........ goa PMR Bee Bt to Theatre. To make the contest scene realistic director Alan Rafkin announced that the kid who came up with the most coins the fastest would be awarded twenty-five dollars in real money when the scene was over. The winner’s name? Lawrence Needle. the story (Not for Publication) Luther Heggs (DON KNOTTS), is a meek, timid typesetter with a small town newspaper, a bit of a daydreamer, who yearns to become a reporter. He also yearns to prove to his girl friend, Alma (JOAN STALEY), that he is the right type for her to marry. There is a ‘haunted house” in town, scene of a gruesome double murder 20 years ago and it has since been deserted. When Nicholas Simmons (PHILIP OBER) arrives in town to have the place torn down, the editor of Heggs’ paper, Beckett (DICK SARGENT), urges Heggs to spend a night there and do a front page story on his experience. For the sake of the chance to become a reporter and appearing heroic to his girl friend, he agrees. In the subsequent events, Heggs winds up helping to solve the 20year old mystery and catch the murderer, while bumbling through one hilarious comedy situation after another, becoming the town’s hero and of course winning Alma. Can't Explain Comedy (Advance) Don Knotts says trying to explain what comedy is — is like trying to eat raw oysters with boxing gloves — it escapes you when you try to get hold of it. “There are certain staple items,” Knotts remarked while making Universal's ‘The Ghost and Mr. 19] Bee Airs 7 Theatre, ‘like the falling-down bit, or the surprise build-up with the thing that happens twice and then is different the third time. You can predict laughter only to a certain extent. “Of course,’ Knotts admits, “slapstick comedy will usually provide laughs without much effort. Slipping on a banana peel, being the target for a custard pie blizzard, or falling into a pool fully-clothed will invariably cause people to laugh. Such setups require a capacity for punishment instead of a versatile delivery. That was the basis for much of the comedy in the old days in Hollywood during the silent tworeelers.” However, in dialogue comedy like ‘The Ghost and Mr. Chicken,” according to Knotts, you must be a master of a bagful of tricks to make a person laugh. Voice inflections and a mobile play of facial expressions are much more vital than in dramatic roles. And he says he’s got his fingers crossed hoping it comes off just right. Co-starring with Knotts, winner of three Emmys for supporting actor on the Andy Griffith TV show, are Joan Staley, Liam Redmond and Dick Sargent. ‘‘The Ghost and Mr. Chicken” was photographed in Technicolor. Face Like Hamburger (Current) Don Knott’s face felt like raw hamburger for a scéne in his Universal comedy, “The Ghost and Mr. Chicken,” now at the...... Ree torts Theatre. The scene called for a friendly dog at a picnic to show his affection for the actor by smothering his face with damp kisses, but the bashful bowser kept refusing to kiss him. Finally, director Alan Rafkin had trainer Frank Weatherwax rub hamburger into Knott’s face, and the pesky pooch problem was solved immediately. Universal Presents DON KNOTTS in “THE GHOST AND MR. CHICKEN” TECHNICOLOR Co-Starring JOAN STALEY LIAM REDMOND DICK SARGENT SKIP HOMEIER RETA SHAW LURENE TUTTLE Written by JAMES FRITZELL and EVERETT GREENBAUM Directed by ALAN RAFKIN Produced by EDWARD J. MONTAGNE A Universal Picture the cast Luther Heggs........ DON KNOTTS Al rng etn hs JOAN STALEY Kelsey................ LIAM REDMOND Beckett 22.2.5222 DICK SARGENT OU eee 8 SKIP HOMEIER Mrs. Maxwell............ RETA SHAW Mrs. Miller........ LURENE TUTTLE Simmons... 2852: PHIL OBER Police Chief Fuller HARRY HICKOX W hitlow.............. CHARLES LANE production credits Director of Photograpy, William Margulies, A. S. C.; Art Directors, Alexander Golitzen and George Webb; Set Decorations, John McCarthy, Oliver Emert: Sound, Waldon O. Watson, Earl N. Crain, Sr.; Unit Production Manager, Wes Thompson; Film Editor, Sam E. Waxman; Costumes, Rosemary Odell; Make-Up, Bud Westmore; Hair Stylist, Larry Germain; Assistant Director, Phil Bowles: Music, Vic Mizzy; Music Supervision by Joseph Gershenson. ROMANTIC INTEREST — Joan Staley, turned brunette for the role, is the romantic interest in Universal’s hilarious comedy, “The Ghost and Mr. Chicken,” photographed in Technicolor. (Still No. 1971-74) Breaks Come Easier (Current) Dick Sargent, who stars with Don Knotts in Universal’s Technicolor comedy film, ‘‘The Ghost and Mr. Chicken,’ now at the........ PEGE renee heh onak Theatre, thinks it’s much easier today for a young actor to break into movies than it ever was before. ‘That’s mostly because of television,” says Dick. “Today, a young actor can give one good performance on TV and be snapped up for a movie contract the next day. It’s happened many times just that way. One example was Jack Lemmon. Another was Eva Marie Saint. Both won Academy Awards for being top performers. Like the farm system in baseball, TV has become the training grounds for movies. “According to the veteran actors I’ve talked to,’ states Sargent, “in the old days you had to do it the long, hard way. It took years for a movie break to come your way. “Today, all you have to do, that is if you’re a good actor, is to just keep busy on TV. “Sooner or later, some producer in Hollywood is going to turn the dial to your station and comment: ‘Just the type I’m looking for. Where can I get in touch with him?’” Does Not See Rushes (Current) Joan Staley claims it isn’t healthy for an actress to see the daily rushes on any of her films. “I know it’s like a girl who says she doesnt’ look in the mirror while putting on makeup,” grinned Joan on the set of her Universal comedy film, “The Ghost and Mr. Chicken,” now at 1 a Yeager Seeracenny e e Theatre, “but I never see any of my pictures until they’re fully scored, edited and ready for release. “About rushes, the scene is done and nothing can be accomplished by viewing it. You can’t ask the director to shoot it again. Also, why torment yourself if you think you should have done the scene differently ?” Make Staley Brunette (Advance) The sweet girl-next-door image of Joan Staley is gone. Not only has she been made honorary mayor of Universal City, California, but the actress, a natural blonde throughout her career, has had her hair dyed black for her romantic role with Don Knotts in the new Universal comedy in Technicolor, “The Ghost and Mr. Chicken,” coming Pats erate to the................ Theatre. Why has Joan become a beached blonde ? Because studio makeup experts feel she projects a sexier image as a brunette. Numerous expensive screen tests were filmed with various hair shades before the final color decision was made. Studio makeup chief Bud Westmore, who was in charge of the tresses transition, says it’s a lot of canard that gentlemen prefer blondes. He claims that brunettes cause the romantic pulse of the male animal to beat much faster. “Most men dream of being a sultan with a harem,” laughs Westmore, ‘and who ever heard of a blonde harem girl?” Westmore claims that a sexy look is just a look and no more. That if you put a top siren in a picture like “Grapes of Wrath” and made her up accordingly, she’d have as much sex appeal as the bearded lady in the circus. Westmore says, ‘‘take any ordinarily attractive actress, give her a short haircut, long eyelashes, a sweater two sizes too small, a skirt which fits like a glove and put a wiggle in her walk and I guarantee the male contingent will get up on their rear haunches and howl their approval. “In fact,’ claims Westmore, “all women have the potential for looking sexy. Take them out of the kitchen and put them in a boudoir with the proper makeup and they’ll raise a man’s eyebrows just as easily as any screen siren.” And how does Joan Staley, the girl who caused all this fur to fly at Universal, feel about her sex image, the new one? “T like it and I must admit I feel different,’”’ she said. “I may keep it for awhile—it all depends on how many dates I get.” Show Crew On Screen (Advance) Unsung heroes of Hollywood are the technical crews, men who don’t get screen credit. So producer Edward J. Montagne decided to put their names on the screen and he chose a _ unique manner of doing it for Universal’s Technicolor comedy, ‘“‘The Ghost and Mr. Chicken,” starring Don Knotts-anG-(cominey. 28 2 ee. to (3 ol Paee es ea a Theatre. An important scene in a police station calls for a camera closeup of “wanted” posters on a giant bulletin board offering rewards for apprehension of all types of criminals. So all pictures and names on the board are actual photos and names of crew members such as gaffer Les Burnett, “bank robber’; grip Paddy Wharfield, “forger’’; camera operator Bill Dodds, “pickpocket,” etc. “THE GHOST AND MR. CHICKEN” [2-4] HERO — Don Knotts receives a spontaneous kiss from Joan Staley as Skip Homeier, his competitor for her hand, and Dick Sargent, his boss, look on in the hilarious Universal comedy, “The Ghost and Mr. Chicken,” photographed in Technicolor. Alan Rafkin di rected for producer Edward J. Montagne. (Still No. 1971-54)