My review was written in October 1989 after watching the film on Prism video cassette.
"Ghost Writer" is an overly timid romantic comedy, made as a feature for home video fans but emerging closer to the tone of a network tv movie.
Casting of sisters Audrey and Judy Landers works well (their mom, Ruth Landers, is pic's executive producer). Audrey is a magazine writer seeking peace and quiet at a beach house in Malibu that turns out to be haunted by her aunt's half-sister, Billie Blaine. Ghost role is a p;astiche on Marilyn Monroe, well played by Judy in her familiar ditzy blonde persona.
Audrey writes interview stories with Blaine, attributing them to a journal she found. Instad of being a suicide, it turns out Blaine was murdered by a mobster (Anthony Franciosa) who now is eaer tgo get his hands on the nonexistent journal. At first only Auidrey can see the ghost, but later havoc begins when it becomes visible to others.
Comedy hre is light, ditto the scares in a silly climax shot at the Movieland Wax Museum. Both Landers sisters get to sing on the soundtrack, and their performances are perfectly in character.
Unfortunately, video fans are likely to get restless at filmmaker Kennth J. Hall's overly chaste handling of risque scenes involving Judy Landers, undoubtedly a function of having mama in charge.
Tech credits are fine, but large supporting cast, ranging from the late John Matuszak to the Barbarian Brothers (Peter and David Paul) has little to do.
