Classic Film Review -The Ghost and Mrs. Muir (1947)

SUMMARY

Recently widowed, Lucy Muir demands her independence from her deceased husband’s overbearing family. With a small inheritance from his estate, Mrs. Muir is able to rent a small seaside cottage for her daughter, maid and herself.

Though the rental agent warns her that Gull Cottage is haunted by its’ former owner, a sea captain, Mrs. Muir insists on renting the property. It isn’t too long before the ghost of Captain Daniel Gregg attempts to frighten her away. You see, he has plans for his house and doesn’t intend to share it. But Lucia (Lu-CHEE -A) as the Captain calls her, makes for a formidable opponent. Lucia wins Daniel’s respect and they agree to share the house.

Slowly, and despite their extreme personality differences, they form a warm friendship. When Lucy is in danger of losing Gull Cottage, Daniel devises a way for her to buy the house outright. Eventually, they each develop deeper feelings for each other.  But when Lucia becomes torn between the living and the dead Daniel must make a painful decision.

To see my full review on The Ghost and Mrs. Muir, please follow me over to The Silver Petticoat Review.

Television Series Review -The Good Karma Hospital (2017)

SUMMARY

Doctor Ruby Walker is fed up with the impersonal and challenging demands of working in a London city hospital. When her long-time boyfriend breaks up with her, Ruby decides she needs a drastic life change.

So, she picks up and moves to India to begin working in a public hospital for the poor. On top of the challenges of working in an under staffed and under funded hospital Ruby also must adjust to some difficult co-workers.

Through her experiences in treating patients and her interactions with her co-workers, Ruby learns to appreciate her new life and to see her career in a new way. Continue reading “Television Series Review -The Good Karma Hospital (2017)”

Book Review -Phantom of the Opera

Having recently written reviews for both Andrew Lloyd Webber’s film version of The Phantom of the Opera as well as a sequel novel, I decided it was high time I actually read Gaston Leroux’s original novel.  As I’ve written in an earlier post, I don’t usually enjoy classic literature. I generally find it long-winded and with dour hidden message about the evils of life.  But when writing about film adaptations and book sequels, reading the source material is a must.

SUMMARY

For those unfamiliar with the story it is somewhat of a Beauty and the Beast type tale. The orphaned Christine Daae works as a dancer at the Paris Opera House, but has secretly been taking lessons from a figure she knows as the Angel of Music.  At the same time the opera’s new managers are under the impression that the stories of the Opera’s ghost are just an elaborate practical joke perpetrated by the former owners. Rumors and tragic events which have occurred are all linked to this mysterious ghost.

Meanwhile, a young Raoul, Vicomte de Chagny returns to Paris and notices his old playmate Christine. Initially Christine ignores him and then sends him mixed signals which drives the immature but lovelorn Raoul to distraction. He is never quite assured of Christine’s affection, but eventually they play at an engagement. Christine finally confesses her love, knowing it is for naught since she is bound to her music tutor.

Everything comes to a head when Christine disappears from the stage in the middle of a performance. Continue reading “Book Review -Phantom of the Opera”