WELCOME TO An Entertainment Site for Scottish Country Dancers - Enjoy the curated selection of theme-related dances for celebrations and holidays, or find a dance associated with a special calendar day, or EVEN your own birthday!
Rex Harrison and Gene Tierney, The Ghost and Mrs. Muir (1947)
Spooky Movie Night
Oct 12
Other Scottish Country Dances for this Day
Today's Musings, History & Folklore
"Blast it, woman, it's a good honest curse and you'll not find better!"
~ Captain Gregg, The Ghost and Mrs. Muir (1947)
If you have a small number of dancers and need a dance for 5 people, set up your set with two couples and a permanent ghost! In this jig, the ghost (played by third man) haunts throughout the reel sneakily making his way up the set in tandem reels! This dance title may well remind of the film classic, The Ghost and Mrs. Muir, a romantic fantasy about a young widow, Lucy Muir, who moves into a seaside cottage haunted by the ghost of a gruff sea captain, Daniel Gregg. This movie is known for its charming, bittersweet love story, its atmospheric cinematography, and by the memorable and recognizable score by Bernard Herrmann! Boo! 🕺 💃 🕺 💃 👻
The Ghost and Mary Jo
The Ghost and Mrs. Muir is a classic romantic fantasy story that originated as a novel by R.A. Dick (the pseudonym of Irish author Josephine Leslie), published in 1945. The story was later adapted into a beloved 1947 film directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz, starring Gene Tierney as Lucy Muir and Rex Harrison as the ghostly Captain Daniel Gregg.
The story is set in early 20th-century England and revolves around Lucy Muir, a recently widowed young woman seeking independence from her overbearing in-laws. She decides to move with her young daughter to a coastal village, where she rents an old, isolated house called Gull Cottage. Soon after moving in, Lucy discovers that the house is haunted by the ghost of its former owner, a rough-edged but charismatic sea captain named Daniel Gregg.
Rather than being frightened, Lucy and Captain Gregg form an unlikely friendship, which blossoms into a deep, unspoken affection. The captain dictates his memoirs to Lucy, and the resulting book provides her with financial security. However, their love is doomed by the boundary between life and death. As Lucy moves on with her life, Captain Gregg selflessly fades away from her memory, allowing her to live fully without his presence.
The story is imbued with themes of love, independence, and the tension between life and death. In the end, when Lucy passes away as an old woman, Captain Gregg returns to take her to the afterlife, fulfilling their timeless romance.
Both the novel and the film explore the themes of longing, independence, and the spiritual connection between souls. The 1947 film is known for its atmospheric cinematography, delicate romantic tension, and poignant performances by the lead actors. Rex Harrison’s portrayal of the gruff yet lovable Captain Gregg and Gene Tierney’s role as the determined and strong-willed Lucy Muir make this a classic of both romance and fantasy genres.
The story’s mix of romance, supernatural elements, and heartwarming human experiences has made The Ghost and Mrs. Muir a favorite for fans of timeless love stories, with an enduring appeal that spans generations.
To listen to the classic opening titles and score by Bernard Herrmann, click the movie poster.
Click the dance cribs or description below to link to a printable version of the dance!
