A Ghost of a Chance ** (1967, Cheryl Vidgen, Stephen Brown, Mark Ward, Jimmy Edwards, Graham Stark, Bernard Cribbins, Terry Scott, Ronnie Barker) – Classic Movie Review 13,612

The 1967 Children’s Film Foundation short comedy film A Ghost of a Chance sees friendly ghosts Jimmy Edwards and Graham Stark helping three children fight to save a local historic house from destruction.

Director Jan Darnley-Smith’s 1967 Children’s Film Foundation short comedy film A Ghost of a Chance is written by Patricia Latham, based on a story by Ed Harper, and stars Stephen Brown, Mark Ward and Cheryl Vidgen, Jimmy Edwards, Bernard Cribbins, Patricia Hayes, Graham Stark, Terry Scott, and Ronnie Barker.

A Ghost of a Chance is a mild but amusing spiritual farce aimed at a young audience, about friendly ghosts helping three children (Stephen Brown, Mark Ward, Cheryl Vidgen) fight to save Hermitage House, a long-abandoned old local historic landmark house from destruction by a property developer (Ronnie Barker) and his team of builders (Terry Scott and Bernard Cribbins).

Hermitage House is the regular haunt of the three children, who want to make it become a community centre, and the permanent haunt of two long-dead 17th century ghosts (Jimmy Edwards and Graham Stark). But the local Mayor is away, and the greedy developer plans to demolish the house before the council can list it as a house of historic interest. The kids unite with the ghosts to scare away the builders and then have to find a way to secure the future of the property.

Exceptionally nice adults Jimmy Edwards, Bernard Cribbins, Patricia Hayes, Graham Stark, Terry Scott, and Ronnie Barker shine in spirited performances, the main reason to watch the film.

The lake scene is shot in Black Park, Wexham, Buckinghamshire, England, and the village scenes in Denham, Buckinghamshire, England.

© Derek Winnert 2025 – Classic Movie Review 13,612

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