The Ghost and Mr. Chicken [Blu-ray] [Only @ Best Buy] [1966]

I was over the moon when I learned that this classic Don Knotts film was being released on blu-ray. And I ran to my local Best Buy the day it was released. The colors were brilliant and the soundtrack was great in this transfer. Took me back to my childhood.

Usually when Univeral announces catalogue titles of older and, sometimes, newer titles, many fans get kind of skittish. While the price is usually just right (Recently, they've upped the price and are too expensive for the most part) sometimes it's not worth the upgrade due to the most egregious error to a lot of film fans: DNR. Digital Noise Reduction is the bane of many Bluray collectors, which artificially sharpens the film at a loss of film grain, which then, loses the detail of the picture and comes off as waxy (Predator Ultimate Hunters Edition is the most infamous example). When this classic film was announced as part of the next wave of releases from Universal, I panicked and eagerly kept the DVD on the shelf. But, before I go on about the picture quality, let's talk about the movie. Don Knotts is Luther Heggs, a typesetter at a local newspaper eager for his big break into reporting. Problem is, he is a big chicken (hence, the Mr. Chicken of the title) and is quite noted as being an embarrassing figure around his small Kansas town. While at his job, some of his cohorts strike up an idea for a story, while mainly amusing themselves in the process, to have Luther stay a night in a supposed haunted house just in time for the anniversary of a murder that went down 20 years ago that night. Of course, he stays the night, experiencing several "paranormal activities" of a Scooby Doo nature and becomes the talk of the Town and winning the favor of his fellow townsfolk. Of course, the story is claimed fake and must prove his innocence or else. So the film is an easy watch, with Knotts doing his usual stuff to great effect (Think a slightly less nervous Barney Fife), some classic lines ("Attaboy, Luther!"), snappy direction and a nice color look of the Universal backlot circa 1966. The film isn't perfect and is cheesy in parts, and I feel this film helped inspire Scooby-Doo with the whole haunted house and trapdoor imagery throughout, but this is a film perfect to throw on during the Halloween season and have a good laugh or two. But back to the picture quality, I said I held on to my DVD, because it was cheap to have, looked good on my TV and was waiting to hear reviews about the Blu-ray. I heard some positive feedback on forums and the many reviews I read online and decided $6 was worth the upgrade. Luckily, the film looks great in HD, surprising many, including myself. The image looks clean and surpringly crisp for a 50 year old film, retaining some great colors, high details on faces, fabrics and sets and retains the film grain, keeping it level and even. The sound is a DTS-HD 2.0 track, which isn't going to rattle your foundation, but it is accurate of the time, keeping the dialogue clear and the lively music from Vic Mizzy nice and sharp. The only downside is a lack of extras. I know the DVD was similarly barebones, but with the steady popularity of the film, I was expecting at least a trailer for the film, but they couldn't even scrounge up an interview or anything new to make the $6 price a bit easier to swallow? Regardless, this is a classic comedy, well-priced with a beautiful presentation representative of it's 50 year history that any fan, or one who wants to discover this film for the first time, and is totally worth a spot on your shelf.

This is a older movie that I had previously seen, but my wife had not and I was delighted when I was able to purchase it from BestBuy at a good price so my wife and I can watch it anytime we want.

This is one of my favorite movies when I was a kid. Blu ray copy is really clear and great sound. I do recommend this movie.

Don Knotts left The Andy Griffith Show to make this movie and it was a big hit. Funny as all get out! Atta boy, Luther!

I saw this as a kid and it was definitely scary way back then. Now it's just silly and funny, but I still love it.

Package arrived as expected. This is a great movie, though some parts might frighten young children.

Great old show that is fun for the whole family. Brings back the entertainment from the olden days