IMDb RATING
7.3/10
4.3K
YOUR RATING
After inheriting a fortune from a gangster, two dim-witted service station attendants find themselves stranded in a haunted house.After inheriting a fortune from a gangster, two dim-witted service station attendants find themselves stranded in a haunted house.After inheriting a fortune from a gangster, two dim-witted service station attendants find themselves stranded in a haunted house.
- Awards
- 1 win & 1 nomination
William B. Davidson
- Moose Matson
- (as William Davidson)
Laverne Andrews
- Laverne Andrews
- (uncredited)
Maxene Andrews
- Maxene Andrews
- (uncredited)
Patty Andrews
- Patty Andrews
- (uncredited)
Bobby Barber
- Waiter
- (uncredited)
Brooks Benedict
- Maitre d'
- (uncredited)
Jeanne Blanche
- Pretty Girl
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe Andrews Sisters were brought in after filming wrapped and the final nightclub footage was edited in after the film's completion.
- GoofsNear the end when Ferdie is sitting at the desk and the left candle is sliding across the table, and the right candle is moving up and down, the strings used are clearly visible.
- Crazy creditsThe opening credits show animated figures representing Abbott and Costello being chased by a giant white flying ghost, whose body morphs into Abbott's and Costello's names and then into the title of the film.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Terror in the Aisles (1984)
- SoundtracksWhen My Baby Smiles at Me
(1920) (uncredited)
Music by Bill Munro
Lyrics by Ted Lewis & Andrew B. Sterling
Played during the opening credits
Played by Ted Lewis and His Orchestra (as Ted Lewis' Orchestra) and sung by Ted Lewis at the nightclub
Featured review
Hold That Ghost (1941) ***
It's nice to catch a break from the two recent "service films" that Bud and Lou made this time, as they go from army and navy men to playing two domestic, unsuccessful waiters-turned-gas station attendants. They unintentionally cross paths with a dying gangster and then become the heirs to his spooky old inn that just may contain a pile of hidden loot somewhere within it. What they didn't count on, however, is that the deceased had some scheming friends who are also hungry for the dough.
HOLD THAT GHOST is often considered close to the best film from Bud and Lou, but I'm not sure I would take it quite that far. It is a good, solid, comedy/spook show that plays on the old tried and true "haunted house" theme; and once more the boys are in top form to deliver the funnies as Abbott keeps trying to calm a very nervous Costello down as he encounters everything from dead bodies to ghosts to revolving rooms to moving candles. What helps boost this one up a notch, aside from the moody setting, is some able assistance from a good supporting cast. There's Richard Carlson as a timid scientist who's oblivious to the longing advances of the pretty Evelyn Ankers (from THE WOLF MAN), and the stand-out antics of Joan Davis, who's really an asset as she plays a "professional radio screamer" who's got some great moments with Lou Costello, including the aforementioned "moving candle" bit, and a charming little dance duet.
Oh yes, and the Andrews Sisters are back for a third time, but this time they're only used at the start and finish. Hey, what can we do? They were hugely popular at that time. And I must confess, I don't mind them concluding the show with one of their better tunes, "Aurora". *** out of ****
HOLD THAT GHOST is often considered close to the best film from Bud and Lou, but I'm not sure I would take it quite that far. It is a good, solid, comedy/spook show that plays on the old tried and true "haunted house" theme; and once more the boys are in top form to deliver the funnies as Abbott keeps trying to calm a very nervous Costello down as he encounters everything from dead bodies to ghosts to revolving rooms to moving candles. What helps boost this one up a notch, aside from the moody setting, is some able assistance from a good supporting cast. There's Richard Carlson as a timid scientist who's oblivious to the longing advances of the pretty Evelyn Ankers (from THE WOLF MAN), and the stand-out antics of Joan Davis, who's really an asset as she plays a "professional radio screamer" who's got some great moments with Lou Costello, including the aforementioned "moving candle" bit, and a charming little dance duet.
Oh yes, and the Andrews Sisters are back for a third time, but this time they're only used at the start and finish. Hey, what can we do? They were hugely popular at that time. And I must confess, I don't mind them concluding the show with one of their better tunes, "Aurora". *** out of ****
helpful•100
- JoeKarlosi
- Jul 7, 2005
- How long is Hold That Ghost?Powered by Alexa
Details
Box office
- Budget
- $190,000 (estimated)
- Runtime1 hour 26 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1
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