Sylvia and the Ghost

Young heiress of a grand château who has long been mesmerized by Alain's ghost. On the eve of her 16th birthday, she clings to the legend and to the family's fading magic. Her belief in love and wonder keeps the mystery alive as the estate faces financial strain.

A thief hired to steal the painting, he brings wit and boldness to the scheme. He becomes entangled in the ghostly ruse and moves through the château with a mercurial, opportunistic charm. His presence pushes the plot toward the ball’s unpredictable twists.

The ghost of Alain de Francigny, long tied to the portrait and a secret romance in the family history. He moves between the physical world and the painting, accompanied by his faithful spaniel. His presence blurs the line between spectral reality and theatrical illusion, culminating in a genuine supernatural reveal.

Son of the art dealer, he feels sympathy for Sylvia and questions their family's finances. He arrives with flowers and becomes a potential romantic figure masked by the night’s events. His connection to Sylvia is tested by the intruding deceit and the masquerade around Alain’s ghost.

Head of the family, he hatches the plan to sell the painting and stage a ghostly illusion to preserve dignity. His actions drive the plot’s tension between saving the estate and respecting the truth. His authority and willingness to manipulate events reveal his character’s blend of pride and pragmatism.

The actor specializing in ghostly roles who arrives to portray Alain's specter. He finds the role underwhelming when it isn’t meant to frighten, yet he becomes part of the elaborate deception. His misfortune at the climax—unmasked by the police—highlights the film’s theater-versus-reality theme.

The loyal butler who navigates the chaos with practical wit. He watches the intruders and the staged hauntings, offering a steady counterpoint to the schemes above. His steady presence underscores the domestic life at the château amid the farcical intrigue.