Ghost Wanted (1940)
Ghost Wanted Review
Ghost Wanted is a 1940 animated short film from the Merry Melodies series. It is a strong entry for sure.
The film follows a little ghost who is inexperienced at scaring and quite clumsy. He tries to find a job, but is unsuccessful in it. I really enjoyed this very endearing film. The plot is unlike anything I’ve seen up until this point, before 1940, and it truly is quite authentic. Yes, it’s Disneyesque, but it’s executed so well that I didn’t mind it. The animation is particularly strong with the fireworks being gorgeously animated.
The mood is very good, but the humor is lacking. I wanted it to be funnier and the film needed a more energetic approach in telling its story. But still I loved the main character who is such a lovable little ghost so well characterized and designed. I would like to see more cartoons with this character and I hope that turns out to be the case.
Ghost Wanted has its problems, but it’s mostly a very endearing film about an inexperienced little ghost with such lovely animation and character design.
