13 Ghosts (1960)


I never suffered from Triskaidekaphobia as some people do. In fact my oldest was born on Friday 13th.  Besides what’s not to like about Fridays? Though I might feel differently if I lived in a house with 13 Ghosts.

The film opens with the Zorba family having to leave yet another house due to financial difficulties. When young Buck Zorba wishes for a house with furniture when he blows out his birthday cake candles, he has no idea what his family will be in for.  Shortly after Buck’s wish, Uncle Plato Zorba dies leaving his ramshackle fully-furnished mansion to Buck’s family. The house includes a mysterious housekeeper, a hidden fortune and an assortment of ghosts.

By the way if the housekeeper looks familiar to you, she is none other than Margaret Hamilton, the actress best-known for her portrayal of the Wicked Witch of the West in Wizard of Oz.

Though apprehensive of residing in spook central, the Zorba family remains in the house. According to the terms of the will, if they don’t stay in the house it will be turned over to the state.  As if dealing with the ghosts weren’t enough, someone else is searching for Uncle Plato’s hidden fortune and is willing to murder to get it.

Whether it was intended or not, the ghosts in this movie come off more campy than creepy.  To me, Buck’s obsession with ghosts seems to be the most chilling point of the movie, particularly his glee when the Ouija board predicts a murder will take place in the house. Still for nostalgia fans 13 Ghosts may be worth a watch.

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