Ghosts on the Loose | |
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Directed by | William Beaudine |
Written by | Kenneth Higgins (original screenplay) |
Produced by | Jack Dietz (producer) Sam Katzman (producer) Barney A. Sarecky (associate producer) |
Starring | Leo Gorcey Huntz Hall Bela Lugosi Ava Gardner |
Cinematography | Mack Stengler |
Edited by | Carl Pierson |
Music by | Edward J. Kay |
Production company | |
Release date |
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Running time | 67 minutes (DVD) 65 minutes (copyright length) |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Ghosts on the Loose is a 1943 American film and the fourteenth film in the East Side Kids series, directed by William Beaudine. The picture co-stars horror film icon Bela Lugosi as well as Ava Gardner in one of her earliest roles.
The film was released in the United Kingdom as Ghosts in the Night. [1]
When Glimpy's sister, Betty, marries Jack, Muggs singlehandedly organizes the wedding. The gang provide a choral version of "Drink to Me Only with Thine Eyes" as well as organ music. Scruno, Stash, and Benny provide a floral centerpiece by "borrowing" a funeral wreath meant for a murdered gangster's funeral on the morrow. Danny and Rocky also borrow the deceased gangster's tuxedo prior to his funeral for Glimpy who is the best man. Scruno's mother provides rice to throw that she has cooked to make extra soft. Muggs also organizes a police escort by telling the police gangsters will try to break up the wedding with Glimpy adlibbing they are the notorious Katzman Gang, (the producer of the film series).
On this happy day only one thing is slightly bothering Jack: the house he has purchased is well below the market value due to rumors that the house next door is a haunted house. The house next door is actually used by a Nazi German spy ring, led by Emil. Emil is furious that his minion has sold the neighboring house to Jack, as it will be needed for future activities as both houses are connected by secret tunnels. Emil orders his minion, Tony, to buy it back from Jack.
Jack is mystified by the reasons for the house being wanted by another party. Jack does accept the money for the sale where the minion gives him a note with the address of the neighboring "haunted" house where he can be reached.
On his way to their honeymoon Jack drops the note with the address of the neighboring house. Muggs picks up the address thinking it is the house that Jack and Betty are moving into and decides to surprise the couple by having the gang clean and tidy the house before the couple arrive.
At the Honeymoon Hotel Jack is given an urgent message to contact the party who originally sold him the house. The wife is worried about the strange activities in the house next door to the house Jack bought leading to the haunted rumors. She wishes to warn Jack and she also telephones the police to investigate. Jack and Betty drive to their house to get to the bottom of the rumors.
When the gang goes to the wrong house that is occupied by the Nazi spies, Emil and his gang pull out all stops to scare the boys into believing the house is haunted. The scheme backfires when the boys hide in the cellar where they discover a printing press with leaflets from the New Order entitled "How to destroy the Allies". As Jack and Betty and the police arrive the gang takes on Emil and his spy ring and wins.
In the end, Betty, Jack, and the East Side Kids are all forced to spend the newlyweds' honeymoon stuck in their new home, under quarantine, when Glimpy comes down with German measles (his face is decorated with swastikas).
The film was originally called Ghosts in the Night, which had also been the working title for Spooks Run Wild , the first time Lugosi worked with the East Side Kids. The film was a "special" from Monogram. They borrowed Ava Gardner from MGM (then best known as having been married to Mickey Rooney) to play the female lead. [2]
Filming began February 8, 1943. Exactly ten days earlier, producer Jack Dietz was sentenced to seven months in jail for tax evasion. [3] The title was changed to Ghosts on the Loose in April 1943. [4]
The Los Angeles Times called the film "a feeble and cheaply produced bit of unenticing nothingness." [5]
Pride of the Bowery is a black-and-white 1940 film and the fourth installment in the East Side Kids series. It was directed by Joseph H. Lewis and produced by Sam Katzman. It was released by Monogram Pictures on December 15, 1940.
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Let's Get Tough! is a 1942 film and the ninth film in the East Side Kids series, starring Leo Gorcey, Huntz Hall, Bobby Jordan, and Robert Armstrong. Released in early 1942, it was directed by Wallace Fox, and features the gang caught up in World War II and fighting the Black Dragon Society, an enemy sabotage ring.
Kid Dynamite is a 1943 American film directed by Wallace Fox and starring the East Side Kids. It was based on the 1942 short story The Old Gang by Paul Ernst and features additional dialogue by comedian Morey Amsterdam. The working title of this film was Little Mobsters.
Mr. Wise Guy is a 1942 American film starring The East Side Kids and directed by William Nigh.
Million Dollar Kid is a 1944 American film directed by Wallace Fox starring the East Side Kids.
Smart Alecks is a 1942 American film directed by Wallace Fox and starring the East Side Kids.
Mr. Muggs Steps Out is a 1943 American film directed by William Beaudine and starring The East Side Kids.
Follow the Leader is a 1944 American film directed by William Beaudine featuring the East Side Kids.
Block Busters is a 1944 American comedy film directed by Wallace Fox and starring the East Side Kids.
Bowery Champs is a 1944 American film directed by William Beaudine and starring the East Side Kids.
Mr. Muggs Rides Again is a 1945 film directed by Wallace Fox and starring The East Side Kids.
The East Side Kids were characters in a series of films released by Monogram Pictures from 1940 through 1945. Many of them were originally part of The Dead End Kids and The Little Tough Guys, and several of them later became members of The Bowery Boys.
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