Hold That Ghost

Hold That Ghost

Year: 1941

Runtime: 86 mins

Language: English

Director: Arthur Lubin

HorrorComedy

The all‑American comedy team returns as two hapless service‑station attendants discover they are the sole heirs in a gangster’s will. Eager to collect the fortune, their journey is derailed when they become trapped in a haunted house, forced to endure a night of spooky mishaps and slap‑stick antics alongside several other bewildered strangers.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Hold That Ghost (1941)

Trace every key event in Hold That Ghost (1941) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Chez Glamour gig and firing

Chuck Murray and Ferdie Jones briefly work as waiters at the chic nightclub Chez Glamour, where Ted Lewis and The Andrews Sisters perform. Their attempt at taking a shortcut to better jobs ends in them being fired after causing a scene. Ferdie holds onto a dream of someday owning his own nightclub.

Before the main events Chez Glamour
2

Moose Mattson's gas stop and fatal chase

Moose Mattson stops for gas and cleaning at a station, triggering a police chase. During the pursuit, Mattson is killed in a gunfight. His unconventional will states that whoever was with him at death inherits his estate, bequeathing the Forrester's Club to Chuck and Ferdie, along with a cryptic clue about money kept in his head.

During the chase Gas station / road
3

Bequest and the money hunt begins

Mattson's attorney introduces the boys to Charlie Smith, a Moose gang member who aims to grab the inheritance. Smith hatches a plan and arranges for a wildcat bus to drop them off at the Forrester's Club. An unscrupulous bus driver abandons them along with three unrelated passengers in a heavy rainstorm.

After the bequest On the way to The Forrester's Club
4

Arrival at the Forrester's Club and basement mystery

The night at the tavern unfolds with Smith missing while searching the basement, and his body turning up multiple times. The water in the tavern tastes foul, hinting something is seriously wrong. Ferdie discovers his bedroom has been rigged to function as a hidden casino with gambling equipment.

Early night The Forrester's Club
5

Hauntings and vanishing investigators

The girls are frightened by what seems to be a ghostly presence while two detectives arrive to investigate but vanish soon after starting. Candles appear to move on their own, deepening the sense of danger. The tavern seems to be alive with inexplicable activity during the night.

Night The Forrester's Club
6

Treasure revealed in the moose head

Ferdie accidentally uncovers Moose's treasure hidden inside the stuffed moose head above the fireplace. The discovery confirms rumors of money, yet danger remains as gang members react to the loot. The mood shifts from mystery to potential wealth.

Later in the night Moose head above the fireplace
7

Gangster confrontation and loot chase

A disgruntled Moose gang member arrives and demands the money at gunpoint. The boys fight back, knocking him out, but more gang members surge into the tavern. Chuck and the doctor fend off some attackers while Ferdie, carrying the loot, is chased through the tavern.

Midnight to late night The Forrester's Club
8

Sirens and a decisive scare

Ferdie imitates the sound of a police siren to scare off all the remaining gangsters. The trick works, and the intruders retreat from the tavern. The moment marks a turning point as the immediate danger passes.

Shortly after the chase The Forrester's Club
9

Therapeutic water and a new business

The doctor explains that the tavern's unsavory water has valuable therapeutic properties. Seizing the opportunity, Ferdie and Chuck transform the tavern into a posh health resort. They hire Ted Lewis and The Andrews Sisters to headline, and the maitre d' who once fired them from Chez Glamour returns as a temp waiter.

After the confrontation The Forrester's Club
10

A new venture rises from the ashes

The tavern is reborn as a health resort with famous entertainers performing for guests. The boys move from inheritances to entrepreneurship, using the cryptic 'money in his head' clue as a safeguard for their new venture. The story ends with the club thriving as a glamorous, unconventional business.

Conclusion The Forrester's Club

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 12:32

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Haunted House Hijinks movies like Hold That Ghost

Bumbling characters face cartoonish scares and mishaps in a creepy location.If you liked the slapstick scares of Hold That Ghost, you'll enjoy these similar spooky comedies. Discover more movies where bumbling characters face off against silly supernatural threats in haunted mansions, spooky hotels, and other eerie locations.

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Narrative Summary

A group of characters, often underdogs or misfits, find themselves stranded in a spooky location overnight. They must endure a series of comedic, non-lethal 'hauntings' that are revealed to have a logical explanation, all while engaging in frantic physical comedy and eventually triumphing by morning.

Why These Movies?

These movies are grouped by their unique blend of a spooky atmosphere with lighthearted, fast-paced humor. They share a specific narrative structure centered on a single chaotic night of misadventure, creating a consistently playful and frenetic vibe where the scares are part of the fun.

Underdog Fortune Follies movies similar to Hold That Ghost

Average Joes stumble into a windfall that leads to chaotic, comedic trouble.Fans of Hold That Ghost will enjoy these similar tales of comedic misadventure. Explore movies like this where hapless protagonists get a lucky break that leads to a fast-paced series of chaotic and humorous events, often involving gangsters and hidden treasure.

madcapupliftingslapstickmisadventureplayfulfreneticcareer ambition

Narrative Summary

The plot is set in motion by an unexpected inheritance or discovery of wealth, instantly elevating the status of the protagonists. This sudden good fortune proves to be a catalyst for chaos, forcing the unprepared heroes to navigate a world of criminals and con artists through a combination of luck and slapstick ingenuity.

Why These Movies?

These films share a core narrative engine: a comedic rags-to-riches-to-rags-and-back-again journey driven by a MacGuffin like an inheritance. The similarity lies in the lighthearted tone, the fast pace of escalating mishaps, and the focus on underdogs triumphing through sheer, bumbling persistence.

Unlock the Full Story of Hold That Ghost

Don't stop at just watching — explore Hold That Ghost in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Hold That Ghost is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Hold That Ghost Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Hold That Ghost, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Hold That Ghost Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Hold That Ghost

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Hold That Ghost. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Hold That Ghost

Hold That Ghost Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Hold That Ghost that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Hold That Ghost Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Hold That Ghost

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Hold That Ghost: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Hold That Ghost

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