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Comedy Movies/Trying to remember ghost movie 1980

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Expert: - 11/16/2008


Question
My father is trying to remember a movie, a romantic comedy.  It was in theaters in either 1980 or 1981.  It's a ghost movie, set in a castle.  In the end the ghost switches bodies with the girl, or something like that.
There's a part where a Scottish ghost (whose name had to do with stinky) farted in a bathtub.  The girl fell in love with him, and liked him farting.
Any ideas?
Thanks- Olivia

Answer
Olivia, this sounds somewhat like the comedy/romance/fantasy film "High Spirits."  However, I am not 100% sure, because this film was released in 1988 (not 1980 or 1981). The film is set in an Irish castle turned hotel where the staff first pretends to be ghosts as a gimmick, but then some real ghosts show up.  A female ghosts falls for a male guest, and her ghost husband falls for a female guest.  

Although not exactly as described, this is the film title that came the closest to what your father recalls, based on my search.  You might check out the plot description on the Internet Movie Data Base (imdb.com) to see if this is the correct film title.  I hope so, but if not, I'm sorry.

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Barbara L. Baker

Expertise

I am a professor of communication at a midwest university, who has expertise on subjects related to film. I can answer general questions on U.S. film comedy (especially satires of the 1960s and 1970s) and comic theory. I also could answer questions related to specific comic genres, such as comedian comedies, screwball comedies, "stupid" comedies, and so forth. The more specific you can make your question, the better (e.g. main plot details, main characters, possible character names, possible actors, how you viewed the show, etc.). I also need to have a release date (or range of dates, or at least the year you viewed the film). Please do not just provide a set of links to someplace else (e.g. imdb discussion threads). I am less able to answer questions about comedies from other countries, made-for-TV movies, and recent comic films and actors (although I would do my best to find out). I cannot answer questions about specific TV shows or series, "Our Gang" episodes, anime/magna or about film collectables. I generally cannot provide movie recommendations, since what I find funny others may not. Nor will I answer obvious homework (although I will point you to resources to help answer the question, if asked). I also can't help you find movie stars, or where to buy movie memorabilia, or tell you how to break into the business.

Experience

Course work in comedy films along with teaching about comedy films for several years; I've also conducted research into comedy films.

Education/Credentials
Ph.D. in Communication, emphasis in film and rhetoric

Awards and Honors
A dissertation award from a national organization plus various paper awards

Past/Present Clients
My students

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