The Ghosts of Berkeley Square (1947) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

The movie is set in Berkeley Square, London, within a haunted townhouse that serves as the story's central location. Over the centuries, this house transforms through various incarnations, as a private residence, a bordello, a soldiers' hospital, and eventually a ghost-show venue. The square itself becomes almost a character, witnessing the passage of time while the two spectral colonels remain anchored to it.

• berkeley square
• london
• haunted house
• setting
• location

The story primarily takes place in the 18th century when the two colonels died as officers of Queen Anne. The narrative then jumps through different eras, including the Boer War and World War I, before reaching the modern day where radio and television allow living audiences to communicate with the ghosts. This spans from the 1700s to the early 20th century with a present-day framing.

• 18th century
• historical
• time period
• era
• queen anne

The haunting legacy theme explores how the death of the two colonels traps them in Berkeley Square, turning the house into a stage for their centuries-long haunting. Their bond and quarrels echo across time as they adapt to new eras, influencing the fate of the house and its owners from generation to generation. The ghosts become persistent presences shaping the square's history.

• haunting
• legacy
• colonels
• spirits
• afterlife

The time warp theme presents Berkeley Square as a palimpsest, a place where different eras layer upon each other. From 18th-century military campaigns to modern entertainment, each era leaves its mark on the house and the ghosts. While the setting shifts through history, the two spectral colonels remain a constant presence throughout the centuries.

• time
• centuries
• history
• past
• present
• era

The ghost show theme treats Berkeley Square as a stage where the ghosts perform or disrupt, while the living commercialize their presence. Showman Tex B. Farnum reopens the house as a haunted attraction, hosting ghostly shows. The narrative explores the tension between spectacle and respect for history, as the spirits navigate fame, debt, and loyalty to their home.

• spectacle
• entertainment
• showman
• commercial
• performance

The seance science theme revolves around Dr Cruickshank and the Psychical Research Society attempting to prove the ghosts exist, blurring the line between belief and scientific evidence. Farnum's hoax accusations test the boundary between performance and reality. The ghosts' undeniable presence challenges contemporary notions of science and superstition.

• science
• psychical research
• belief
• supernatural
• skepticism

General Burlap is one of the two spectral colonels haunting Berkeley Square. He is described as wily and ambitious, having helped craft plans to delay war during his mortal life. As a ghost, he learns to materialize and negotiate with the living. His humor and stubborn pride keep him tied to the house across centuries, serving as a mischievous yet capable presence.

• general burlap
• colonel
• ghost
• spectral character

Colonel Kelsoe, nicknamed 'Bulldog' and played by Robert Morley, is the other spectral colonel haunting Berkeley Square. He was a stern, strategic officer whose life became inseparable from Burlap's and the house's fate. As a ghost, he retains a commanding presence and frequently clashes with Burlak, mirroring the rivalries of their mortal days.

• colonel kelsoe
• bulldog
• robert morley
• ghost
• spectral character

Millie, played by Yvonne Arnaud, owns the house during its later bordello era. She challenges the ghosts to respect her domain and uses their presence as entertainment, asserting authority over the space. Even as the specters test her limits, she maintains control over her establishment.

• millie
• yvonne arnaud
• boardello
• owner
• character

Tex B. Farnum, played by Ronald Frankau, is a showman who reimagines Berkeley Square as a haunted house attraction and later hosts a ghostly show featuring the two colonels. He embodies spectacle and commerce, seeking fame while navigating resistance from the ghosts and authorities. Farnum represents the commercial exploitation of the supernatural.

• tex farnum
• showman
• haunted house
• entrepreneur
• character

Dr Cruickshank, played by Ernest Thesiger, is a member of the Psychical Research Society who seeks to scientifically prove the ghosts exist. His skepticism and insistence on formal testing create tension with both the living and Farnum's commercial enterprise. He represents the clash between scientific inquiry and supernatural phenomena.

• dr cruickshank
• psychical research
• scientist
• skepticism
• character

Berkeley Square serves as a time-spanning location that transforms with each era. The house passes through the Boer War and World War I, changing owners and purposes, from a private residence to a bordello, then a soldiers' hospital, and finally a ghost-show venue. Each period leaves its mark on the building while the two ghostly colonels remain constant observers of its evolution.

• berkeley square
• history
• owners
• transformation
• building