Blackbeard’s Ghost (1968)

“By thunder! This raises my blood! There be a time for action! Hang on old ladies, Blackbeard's coming! Up the Jolly Roger!”  17 September 2019

The new Godolphin College track coach, Steve Walker, spends his first night in town at Blackbeard’s Inn where he inadvertently summons the ghost of Blackbeard.  Blackbeard is cursed to roam through limbo, making life miserable for Walker in the process, unless he can do one good deed to send him on his way to the other side.  Helping Godolphin win the big track meet (and saving the Inn in the process) might just be the good deed he needs. 

The 60s and early 70s were a prime-time for live action Disney movies like Blackbeard's Ghost.  These were good, clean, family films with real actors, real stories, and real comedy.  I hadn’t seen it in years and maybe it’s a nostalgia thing for me, but I found it just as entertaining and fun as ever.  A lot of the comedy may be the obvious slapstick type, but it works nonetheless. The entire track meet is a hoot.  I suppose my favorite bit may have been the baton pass mix-up during the relay race. Pretty funny stuff. The acting in Blackbeard’s Ghost is first rate.  Ustinov is very good as Blackbeard. His overacting is exactly what the role calls for. Everyman Dean Jones and the stunning Suzanne Pleshette make the perfect Disney couple.  You can’t help but root for them. Finally, Elsa Lanchester steals every scene she appears in. A couple of times I found her laugh-out-loud funny. It’s a nice cast. Throw in the rousing, very Disney-esque Heart of Oak pirate sing-a-long and you’ve got a winner.

I doubt a movie like Blackbeard’s Ghost would be made today. Ustinov doesn’t come close to the image Disney’s promoting these days. Too bad, because today’s kids and families are missing out.

8/10