Geisterkomödie (1965)
An Austrian TV comedy where a séance summons a man's first wife back from the dead, throwing his second marriage into delightful disarray.
Geisterkomödie - Movie Information
Geisterkomödie - Plot
Writer Charles Condomine invites a fortune teller to his home to study for a planned book and learn her particular jargon. A married couple, Mr. and Mrs. Bradman, are also invited to the planned séance. The result of the necromancy is unexpected: Condomine's first wife, Elvia, who died years ago, appears. Was she summoned by her husband's unspoken wish? He is now married to Ruth, which makes his first wife's return from the afterlife somewhat unpleasant. Especially for Ruth, for whom her rival remains invisible for a long time. Meanwhile, Elvira settles down at home and woos her husband. Charles is initially flattered, but gradually two women begin to get on his nerves...
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Geisterkomödie - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Rolf Kutschera
Main Cast
- Albert Lieven
- Susanne von Almassy
- Violetta Ferrari
- Fita Benkhoff
- Manfred Inger
- Emmy Percy-Wüstenhagen
- Erika Zobetz
Writers
- Robert Gillner
Producers
- Erich Neuberg
Geisterkomödie - FAQs
What is Geisterkomödie about?
Geisterkomödie follows writer Charles Condomine, who hosts a séance for research purposes — only for his deceased first wife Elvira to materialize. Invisible to his current wife Ruth, Elvira settles back in and begins pursuing Charles, turning a seemingly ordinary household into a delightfully chaotic supernatural love triangle.
Is Geisterkomödie based on a famous play?
Yes! Geisterkomödie is an Austrian TV adaptation of Noël Coward's celebrated 1941 stage comedy Blithe Spirit. The play has been adapted numerous times across theatre, film, and television, and remains one of Coward's most beloved and frequently performed works worldwide.
Who are the main actors in Geisterkomödie?
The cast features Albert Lieven as the hapless Charles Condomine, Susanne von Almassy as his living wife Ruth, and Violetta Ferrari as the mischievous ghost Elvira. Fita Benkhoff rounds out the ensemble as the eccentric medium Miss Arcati, whose séance sets the whole supernatural chaos in motion.
Does Elvira's ghost cause real trouble for Charles?
Absolutely. Elvira is invisible to Ruth, which means Charles finds himself caught in increasingly awkward situations — seemingly talking to thin air, being flattered by a ghost only he can see, and slowly losing his patience as both women compete for his attention in very different ways.
Who directed Geisterkomödie and when was it made?
Geisterkomödie was directed by Rolf Kutschera and produced by Austrian broadcaster ORF in 1965. It was written for the screen by Robert Gillner and produced by Erich Neuberg, representing a fine example of mid-1960s Austrian television theatre adapting classic European stage comedies for home audiences.
What genre is Geisterkomödie?
It's a comedy — specifically a supernatural or ghost comedy, blending drawing-room wit with light paranormal mischief. Originally produced as a TV movie for Austrian television, the film adapts Noël Coward's signature style of sharp, playful dialogue and farcical domestic situations into an entertaining televised format.
How long is Geisterkomödie?
Geisterkomödie runs for 99 minutes — just under an hour and forty minutes. That's a comfortable length for a TV comedy of its era, giving the story enough room to let the supernatural misunderstandings and domestic tensions build to their full comedic effect without overstaying its welcome.
Are there other film versions of this story?
Yes, Noël Coward's Blithe Spirit has inspired several screen adaptations. The most notable is David Lean's 1945 British film starring Rex Harrison, widely considered a classic. A more recent remake arrived in 2020 with Dan Stevens and Judi Dench, updating the story for contemporary audiences while keeping the supernatural comedy intact.
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