The Ghost Breakers

The Ghost Breakers

Year: 1940

Runtime: 85 mins

Language: English

Director: George Marshall

HorrorComedyMysteryCrude humor and satireHorror the undead and monster classics

After hard‑working Mary Carter inherits a famously haunted mansion off the Cuban coast, a mysterious phone call warns her to stay away. Unfazed, she sails to Cuba accompanied by the quick‑tongued radio announcer Larry Lawrence, who hides in her trunk. Together they confront the estate’s alleged voodoo curses, zombies and restless ghosts, as they unravel the mystery behind the legend.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – The Ghost Breakers (1940)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Ghost Breakers (1940). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1940

The story is set in 1940, opening during a violent thunderstorm in Manhattan. It follows a transatlantic journey to Cuba and culminates at the island estate, blending noir mood with adventurous intrigue. The period features radio broadcasts, underworld crime, and classic pulp-era atmosphere.

Location

Manhattan, New York, Havana, Cuba, Las Palmas island estate

The action shifts from the rain-soaked streets of Manhattan to a transatlantic voyage and finally to a Cuban island estate. Key settings include a grand Havana locale, the ship’s hold where an escaped fate unfolds, and a secluded plantation mansion on the island. The estate centers on a large portrait and a hidden past tied to Mary's inheritance.

🏙 City 🏝 Island 🗺 Travel

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:19

Main Characters – The Ghost Breakers (1940)

Meet the key characters of The Ghost Breakers (1940), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Larry Lawrence (Bob Hope)

A quick-witted radio broadcaster who exposes the crimes of underworld boss Frenchy Duval. After a tense gunfight, he hides in Mary’s trunk and then improvises his way into a cross-continental adventure. His blend of bravado and charm helps him navigate danger while maintaining a lighter, humorous counterpoint to the lurking threats.

🎭 Drama 🧭 Adventure

Mary Carter (Paulette Goddard)

The heiress who inherits a plantation and mansion in Cuba and travels to inspect the estate. She combines resolve with a wary curiosity as strange legends and real danger intersect with her fortune. Her partnership with Larry anchors the romance and the pursuit of her rightful property.

💃 Romance 🏰 Wealth

Geoff Montgomery (Richard Carlson)

A young intellectual who regales the trio with tales of Caribbean superstitions, ghosts, and zombies. His knowledge provides context for the legends they encounter, while his skepticism helps ground the mystery. He acts as a bridge between superstition and rational inquiry.

🎓 Intellectual 🧭 Adventure

Parada (Paul Lukas)

A sinister Cuban solicitor who bears crucial information about Mary’s inheritance and the estate’s secrets. His murder triggers a deeper scramble for the treasure and exposes hidden passages. Parada’s presence fuels the tension between appearance and conspiracy.

💼 Deceit 🗝 Treasure

Alex (Willie Best)

Larry’s loyal valet who helps locate his employer on the ship and assists with the escape. He provides practical aid and steady support amid chaotic moments. His loyalty underpins the team’s effort to reach safety and uncover the estate’s truths.

🤝 Loyalty

The Zombie (Noble Johnson)

A figure rooted in island folklore who appears as part of the estate’s eerie atmosphere and plot twists. Trapped in a closet during the course of events, the zombie embodies the blend of superstition and danger fueling the story. The character underscores the era’s pulp-horror vibes.

👻 Monster

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:19

Major Themes – The Ghost Breakers (1940)

Explore the central themes of The Ghost Breakers (1940), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

👻 Supernatural

The film blends horror with humor through Caribbean folklore. Ghostly happenings and a zombie figure surface amid legends of voodoo and curses. A portrait that resembles Mary fuels the mystery, blurring lines between reality and superstition. The supernatural elements propel the tension as characters interrogate what is real.

💰 Inheritance

Mary's claim to a Cuban plantation and mansion drives the plot, turning inheritance into a perilous treasure hunt. Hidden passages and a possible fortune under the house motivate actions and provoke greed. The prospect of wealth exposes risk, deception, and shifting loyalties. Ownership becomes a battleground for survival as secrets come to light.

🕵️ Mystery

Parada's murder acts as the central catalyst, erupting a web of danger and deceit. Secret passages beneath the estate and perilous traps heighten the suspense. The pursuit of truth clashes with threats from living criminals and rumors of the supernatural. The resolution threads together betrayal, revelation, and a claim to Mary's fortune.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:19

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The Ghost Breakers Summary

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The Ghost Breakers Summary

The Ghost Breakers Timeline

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The Ghost Breakers Timeline

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