April Fools’ Day or All Fools’ Day has for some reason caused April 1 of each calendar year to be set aside for playing pranks and tricks, but perhaps the most disturbing trick of all would be to discover a friend who is invisible to everyone other than you?
Ghosts, dragons, bunnies, and spirits come out to play in the following comic films. Imaginary or invisible, these fictional figures are friend rather than foe.
Blithe Spirit
Based on the Noel Coward comic play, this movie version was released in 1945. Rex Harrison stars as a widower, who having wed a second wife, discovers that the spirit of his first wife is still haunting their home, forming a ghostly love triangle.
The Ghost and Mrs. Muir
Released in 1947, the film stars Gene Tierney, Rex Harrison, and Natalie Wood. Turn of the century widow, Lucy Muir, moves with her daughter to a seaside cottage, only to find it still inhabited by the ghost of its former sea captain owner, Daniel Gregg.
Gregg is a friendly ghost, wishing Mrs. Muir to record and publish his memoirs as he relays them to her. Writing the memoirs, Mrs. Muir becomes friends with her house ghost, but various complications arise.
Harvey
Based on the Pulitzer Prize winning play by Mary Chase, this film version was released in 1950. James Stewart stars as good-tempered Elwood P. Dowd who asserts that his best friend is a tall invisible rabbit only seen by him. Fearing for her brother’s sanity, his sister begins to explore the possibilities for medical treatment, and following various complications, a happy resolution is reached.
Pete’s Dragon
Released in 1977, the film features comic performances by Mickey Rooney, Red Buttons, and Shelley Winters. However, the movie is actually about the adventures of orphaned boy Pete, who is found a home by a kindly green dragon who is only seen by Pete.
Just Like Heaven
Released in 2005, the film stars Reese Witherspoon as devoted Dr. Elizabeth Masterson, who following a car accident finds her spirit haunting her home, where she meets the widower David Abbot (Mark Ruffalo) subletting the apartment. Each realizing that there is more to this strange occurrence than either understands, they begin to work together to learn what has happened and what is to now be done.
Other Films
There are many other films about figures which are only seen by a few. Some of these other movie ghosts mean harm while others seek to help, and some spirits are not ghosts at all. No matter what normally unseen someone captures your imagination, it would be perhaps the greatest trick to see the unseen.
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