The Ghost and Mrs. Miur (1947)

This film is about a woman named Lucy Miur whose husband has died. To the disapproval of her late husband's mother and sister, she decides to take her young daughter and maid and move out to the sea-side. When she gets there she falls in love with an old house. The landlord strongly suggests that she find another house because the one she has chosen is haunted, but she will not be swayed and rents it out. On the first night there, Lucy notices something wrong with the lights. After trying to light a candle for the 4th or 5th time, she gets frustrated and fearfully, but determined, she yells out into the darkness of the room, taunting the ghost to come out of hiding and face her. And of course when she turns around she comes face to face with a distinguished sea-captain who tells her that she should leave. The two form a unique friendship, that develops into something a bit deeper for the ghost. Lucy's in-laws come to visit her and tell her that the she doesn't have any more money and should just come home with them instead of continuing to live alone in this old house. She turns them away rudely, because she's talking to the ghost at the same time and of course only she can see him. This leaves Lucy in somewhat of an awkward position because she won't be able to afford her rent anymore. The ghost convinces her to stay and that he'll take care of everything. His idea is to have her write down his life and adventures on the seas in what he believes will be a best-selling volume. She does this and is well received by the publisher and receives a large check for her troubles. While there she also meets another author who has it in his mind to court her. The ghost sees this and is jealous of the man's ability to physically be with Lucy. Is the man what he really seems to be? And will Lucy choose to keep company with the living or the dead?

This was a really great movie. It's the story of a woman setting out on her own and trying to make a life for herself after the death of her husband, instead of withering away in mourning as her in-laws would wish. Lucy is a sickly woman and is used to combating the odds, even with her own body, so striking out on her own and even publishing a novel to support herself and her family was just another obstacle for her to overcome. I thought the acting was really well done, and Lucy's daughter is the little girl from miracle on 34th street, so a familiar face for those who watch the Christmas specials every year.