Have you ever watched a movie that made you laugh so hard your eyes nearly popped out of their sockets? That’s exactly what happens when you watch Don Knotts in “The Ghost and Mr. Chicken.” As a lifelong fan of classic comedies, I still remember the first time I watched this 1966 gem on a rainy Saturday afternoon with my dad. The way Knotts’ eyes bulged with fear had us both in stitches!
Released in January 1966, this Universal Pictures production has become one of those rare films that continues to delight audiences across generations. Let’s explore why this spooky comedy still has fans shouting “Attaboy, Luther!” nearly 60 years later
The Plot: Small Town Typesetter Faces His Fears
Set in the fictional small town of Rachel Kansas “The Ghost and Mr. Chicken” follows Luther Heggs (Don Knotts), a nervous typesetter for the Rachel Courier Express who dreams of becoming a real reporter. Luther lives in Mrs. Natalie Miller’s boarding house and has a crush on Alma Parker (Joan Staley), who happens to be dating his rival, full-time reporter Ollie Weaver.
Luther’s big break comes when he’s assigned to spend the night in the supposedly haunted Simmons Mansion on the 20th anniversary of a grisly murder-suicide. The legend claims that Mr. Simmons killed his wife with a bladed instrument before jumping to his death from the organ loft.
During his terrifying night in the mansion, Luther experiences some truly spine-tingling phenomena:
- A mysterious organ that plays by itself at midnight
- Blood gushing from a portrait with pruning shears stuck in the neck
- Eerie knocking and laughter that would make anyone’s hair stand on end
After surviving the night and writing about his experience, Luther becomes a local hero! But his newfound fame is short-lived when Nicholas Simmons, nephew of the deceased couple, sues Luther and the newspaper for libel. This leads to a climactic courtroom scene and a return to the haunted house where the truth about the Simmons deaths is finally revealed.
The Cast: A Perfect Ensemble
While Don Knotts obviously steals the show as the cowardly but ultimately brave Luther Heggs, the supporting cast is equally impressive:
- Joan Staley as Alma Parker (Fun fact: she normally had blonde hair but wore a dark wig for this role because producers thought she was “too sexy” as a blonde!)
- Liam Redmond as Kelsey, the former gardener with a secret
- Dick Sargent (yes, the second Darrin from “Bewitched”!) as newspaper editor George Beckett
- Skip Homeier as Luther’s rival Ollie Weaver
- Reta Shaw as Mrs. Halcyon Maxwell
- Lurene Tuttle as Mrs. Natalie Miller
And for fans of “The Andy Griffith Show,” you’ll spot several familiar faces including Hal Smith and Hope Summers in uncredited roles. Even that iconic “Attaboy, Luther!” line was shouted by screenwriter Everett Greenbaum!
From Mayberry to the Mansion: Don Knotts’ First Major Film
“The Ghost and Mr. Chicken” marked Don Knotts’ first major film project after leaving “The Andy Griffith Show,” where he had won five Emmy Awards for his iconic role as Deputy Barney Fife. The film actually has strong Mayberry connections – Andy Griffith himself suggested expanding on an episode from their show involving a deserted house (the old Rimshaw house from the 1963 episode “Haunted House”).
Though Griffith didn’t appear in the film, he helped develop the story outline along with Knotts, producer Edward Montagne, and writers Jim Fritzell and Everett Greenbaum (who had written for “The Andy Griffith Show”). Griffith even contributed the idea of making “Attaboy, Luther!” a running gag throughout the film.
The film was directed by Alan Rafkin, who had directed several episodes of “The Andy Griffith Show” and was known for his efficiency – a necessary trait given the film’s tight 17-day shooting schedule!
Behind the Haunted Scenes
Some fascinating behind-the-scenes tidbits:
- The famous “Simmons Mansion” wasn’t built for this movie – it’s actually a three-story Second Empire Victorian house on Universal Studios’ Colonial Street that was originally built for the 1946 film “So Goes My Love” and later appeared in “Harvey” (1950)
- It’s NOT the Munster house (a common misconception), though they were located near each other on the Universal lot
- Knotts personally called the Bon Ami cleaning product company’s president to get permission to mention their product in one of the film’s running gags
- Luther drives an Edsel Corsair in the movie – a commercially unsuccessful car that perfectly matched his quirky character
- The film had a modest budget of around $700,000 but grossed approximately $4 million in just the first five months!
Why We Still Love This Chicken After All These Years
What makes “The Ghost and Mr. Chicken” so enduring? I think it boils down to a few key ingredients:
-
Don Knotts’ physical comedy genius – Nobody does terrified quite like Knotts, with his bug-eyed expressions and nervous stammer
-
The perfect blend of comedy and spookiness – It manages to be genuinely atmospheric at times (that organ music still gives me chills!) while keeping the laughs coming
-
A heart-warming underdog story – We can’t help but root for Luther as he faces his fears and eventually gets the girl
-
Family-friendly humor – It’s the kind of film grandparents, parents, and kids can all enjoy together
-
Quotable lines – From “Attaboy, Luther!” to “That’s right, you tell ’em, Luther!” to “He’s a nervous wreck, that’s what he is!”
As one IMDb reviewer put it: “An adult, especially a college graduate who majored in English, isn’t supposed to admit that ‘The Ghost and Mr. Chicken’ is one of his favorite films, at least not without embarrassment at his lack of ‘sophistication,’ but I admit it with pride.”
The Film’s Legacy
The success of “The Ghost and Mr. Chicken” led to a multi-picture deal between Knotts and Universal, resulting in several more comedies:
- “The Reluctant Astronaut” (1967)
- “The Shakiest Gun in the West” (1968)
- “The Love God?” (1969)
- “How to Frame a Figg” (1971)
While these films have their merits, most fans agree that “The Ghost and Mr. Chicken” remains the crown jewel of Knotts’ film career.
The film was released on VHS in 1996, DVD in 2003 and 2007, and finally made it to Blu-ray in 2016. The memorable soundtrack by Vic Mizzy (who used the old tune “Mr. Ghost Goes to Town” as his main theme) was released on CD in 2005.
Should You Watch “The Ghost and Mr. Chicken”?
Absolutely! If you’ve never seen this comedy classic, you’re in for a treat. And if you have seen it, well, it’s probably time for a rewatch. Here’s why it’s worth your time:
- It showcases Don Knotts at the height of his comedic powers
- The haunted house scenes are atmospherically spooky without being too scary for younger viewers
- The small-town characters feel authentic and relatable
- The mystery element keeps you engaged from start to finish
- At 90 minutes, it’s the perfect length – not too long, not too short
As one reviewer on IMDb noted: “This is an excellent, wholesome horror/comedy featuring many of your favorite members of the ‘Mayberry’ bunch. It’s delightful entertainment for the whole family, and one of Knotts’s best performances as the underdog with the stout heart and quaky knees.”
Where to Watch
These days, you can find “The Ghost and Mr. Chicken” on various streaming platforms (availability varies by region), or pick up the Blu-ray for the best picture quality. It’s a perfect choice for family movie night, especially around Halloween when you want something spooky but not nightmare-inducing.
Final Thoughts
There’s something special about “The Ghost and Mr. Chicken” that transcends its era. While some comedies from the 1960s feel dated or rely on references that modern audiences might miss, Luther Heggs’ adventure in the haunted Simmons Mansion remains timelessly funny.
Don Knotts created a character in Luther who embodies what the movie trailers called “the bravest coward” – someone who’s terrified but faces his fears anyway. That’s a message that resonates regardless of the decade.
So next time you’re looking for a classic comedy that delivers genuine laughs and a touch of spooky atmosphere, give “The Ghost and Mr. Chicken” a watch. And don’t forget to shout “Attaboy, Luther!” at least once during the viewing – it’s practically required!
P.S. Fun fact: The title is believed to be a humorous variation of the 1947 film “The Ghost and Mrs. Muir.” And if you’re wondering, the film’s working title was “Running Scared” before Everett Greenbaum came up with the more memorable final title we know today.
Cast[]
- Don Knotts as Luther Heggs
- Joan Staley as Alma Parker (Luthers love interest)
- Liam Redmond as Kelsey
- Skip Homeier as Ollie Weaver
- Lurene Tuttle as Mrs. Natalie Miller
- Dick Sargent as George Beckett
- Harry Hickox as Police Chief Art Fuller
- Charles Lane as Whitlow
- Nydia Westman as Mrs. Cobb
- Robert Cornthwaite as Springer
- Sandra Gould as Loretta Pine
- Cliff Norton as Charlie, the Bailiff
- Jim Boles as Billy Ray Fox
- Ceil Cabot as Bit/clubwoman
Plot[]
Luther Heggs (Knotts) is a typesetter at the newspaper in Rachel, Kansas, but aspires to be a reporter. One night, observing what he believes to be a murder outside of an old, supposedly haunted house, Heggs rushes to the Police Station with his scoop. Unfortunately, as he relates the details of his story to the Chief of Police, the murder “victim” walks into the room. The next morning, Heggs walks downstairs to the dining room at the Natalie Miller boarding house and overhears Ollie Weaver (Homeir), a full-time reporter at the newspaper, mocking his mistakes of the night before. According to a legend noted in the film, the Simmons mansion was a “murder house” 20 years earlier, when Mr. Simmons murdered his wife, then jumped from the organ loft to his death. Legend says that you can hear the ghost of Mr. Simmons playing the organ at night. To increase newspaper sales, Luther Heggs (Knotts) is assigned to spend the night in the house on the 20th anniversary of the murders. At midnight, Heggs sees the old organ begin to play by itself as well as other ghostly happenings. His story gets the town abuzz and Nicholas Simmons (Philip Ober), nephew of the deceased couple, sues Heggs for libel. In the courtroom, Heggs is made out to be a fool, but the judge orders the courtroom to the Simmons house at midnight to allow Heggs to prove his story. Nothing happens, and everyone leaves except for Heggs. Soon after, when he notices the old organ playing again, Heggs discovers Mr. Kelsey (Liam Redmond), the newspapers janitor, producing the creepy tune from an additional keyboard located under the pipes. The typesetter and janitor then confront Nicholas Simmons, who killed his aunt and uncle and has been trying to cover up the story all this time. A secret passage from the study up to the organ loft had been Simmons alibi, and Mr. Kelsey was the last one who knew the secret. Luther knocks Simmons out with a body slam, and the case is closed. At the end of the film, Heggs marries his sweetheart, Alma Parker (Joan Staley) and the church organ begins to play the same spooky tune that came from the Simmons house, with the keys moving but no one there.
The Ghost And Mr. Chicken | Don Knotts | Clip
FAQ
Where can you watch The Ghost and Mr. Chicken?
The Ghost and Mr. Chicken, a comedy movie starring Don Knotts, Joan Staley, and Liam Redmond is available to stream now. Watch it on Prime Video, Fandango at Home or Apple TV on your Roku device.
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.
Is The Ghost and Mr. Chicken a good movie?
3.5 stars; Don Knotts pulls off his “Barney Fife” shtick and gets plenty of laughs. This is an all-time favorite comedy-scary movie you can watch with the whole family.