Intro"Three Live Ghosts" is a 1929 American pre-Code comedy film directed by Thornton Freeland and produced by Paramount Pictures. Based upon the Broadway play by Frederic Isham, the film shows the peacetime adjustments after World War I.
Main PlotThe film focuses on three World War I veterans, who are presumed dead but return house after the war, and their battles to integrate back into society. The primary characters are three servicemen - William Foster, "Spoofy" and Bolton - all of whom play their individual functions uniquely. William struggles with amnesia due to shell shock, Spoofy is on the run for a criminal offense he did not dedicate, and Bolton is an American who enlisted in the British army and is now declared lawfully dead.
Unusual CircumstancesAs William returns, he is not recognized by his mother due to his Scotty pet tattoo which got hidden through surgery. On the other hand, Bolton, the American soldier, is now a rich man. However, his status of being lawfully dead poses obstacles for him. Spoofy, on the other hand, is pursued by the authorities. These uncommon situations produce confusion and offer a comic relief throughout the story.
ResolutionTowards completion of the movie, the characters fix their respective concerns. Girl Leicester, a wealthy yet eccentric lady, identifies William due to the Scotty pet tattoo and ultimately, he reunites with his mom. Bolton manages to develop his authenticity and therefore claims his inheritance. Spoofy, with the aid of his pals, shows his innocence to the cops.
Design & PerformanceShot in Technicolor and having actually an adapted movie script, the film was pioneering for its time. The movie drew attention for its comedy of misidentification, situational stress and sharp humour. The performances by the main actors were plain, natural and impactful. Lila Lee, depicting the role of Peggy Woofers, developed a strong impression while Robert Montgomery as William Foster was excellent in his act.
Conclusion"Three Live Ghosts" is a funny and thought-provoking portrayal of post-war readjustment. The story is engaging, characters are well expanded and it makes reliable use of comic aspects. Although the movie showcases the stress of the returning soldiers, it stabilizes the severity with humour, making it an exciting watch.
In general, the movie mixes funny, post-war social commentary and drama in a rather interesting way. It holds historic significance as it depicted the internal strife of war veterans, a subject not extensively explored in the same period.
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