Based upon the popular novel and 1947 film of the same name, "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir" ran for 50 episodes over two seasons (1968-70) as a romantic supernatural sitcom. The series stars young widowed writer Carolyn Muir (Hope Lange) who has rented Gull Cottage on the seashore near the fictional fishing village of Schooner Bay, Maine with her two children Jonathan (Harlen Carraher) and Candace (Kellie Flanagan), their maid Martha Grant (Reta Shaw), and the family Wire Fox Terrier dog Scruffy. Their comically kooky landlord Claymore Gregg (Charles Nelson Reilly) failed to mention that the house is haunted by his 19th century ancestor Captain Daniel Gregg (Edward Mulhare). The poltergeist is very selective in who he will appear to, but soon develops a fondness for Mrs. Muir, a chemistry that became the strength of the show. Lange won the Emmy Award for Lead Actress in a Comedy Series in both seasons.
Reflecting upon the series, "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir" was a romantic comedy in sitcom form. As such, it focused on being more lighthearted and romantic than laugh-out-loud comedic. More than any other word I find the show "charming". The performances of Hope Lange and Edward Mulhare were excellent. There was not one time while watching Mrs. Muir that I thought of her as being portrayed by an actress, and certainly one of the reasons she won an Emmy Award for her role both seasons. The oft-agitated ghost of Captain Gregg was played very well by Edward Mulhare in creating what I feel is the ghost you'd feel most comfortable being in your home. He might would irk you a time or two, but you'd never feel afraid.
It's hard to carry it off as a sitcom when the leads aren't the source of comedy. The writers didn't give much to the children, with Harlen Carraher's Jonathan being the center of a few episodes and Kellie Flanagan's Candace once. Reta Shaw's Martha was in a similar position. The lion's share of supporting performances went to Charles Nelson Reilly's Claymore. I feel Charles Nelson Reilly was a more capable comedian than nervously bumbling his way through an episode and thankfully the writers gave him more to work with on occasion. "Chowderhead" probably had the most comical premise, while "The Firehouse Five Plus Ghost" and "Tourist, Go Home" featured a number of slapstick gags. If you go into the series expecting merely light comedy and to be transported to a charming seaside village with well-executed, realistic characters then you'll enjoy "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir".
