3. BUT WASN'T G&MM ALSO A MOVIE?

Yes. In 1945, Twentieth Century Fox bought the film rights to the novel, which had only been published in Britain at that time. The film was released in May, 1947, and starred Rex Harrison as "Captain Daniel Gregg" and Gene Tierney as "Lucy Muir."

4. WHO (OR WHAT) IS "THE GHOST?"

The ghost is Captain Daniel Gregg, an irascible but charming sea captain who died prematurely and tragically one night when he accidentally kicked over the gas heater by his bedside in Gull Cottage.

5. WHO IS "MRS. MUIR?"

Mrs. Muir is Carolyn Muir, a young widow and the current tenant of Gull Cottage. She has two children, Candace and Jonathan, and a wire-haired terrier, Scruffy. The family also includes Martha, the able-bodied housekeeper.

6. WHEN DID CAPTAIN GREGG DIE?

November 13, 1869, according to the episode "Surprise Party." He was supposedly 39 at the time, giving his birth in 1830, according to that episode. I use the term "supposedly" because the show was rather inconsistent in their use of dates, particularly in the second season. This particular date, November 18, 1869, may or may not be accurate as is the case with his date of birth.

7. WAS THE CAPTAIN A PIRATE?

Only of women's hearts, I'm afraid! We can assume that the Captain was a Naval officer as evidenced by his reference to participating in The Battle of Vera Cruz in "Hero Today, Gone Tomorrow," his naval dress uniform worn in "The Medicine Ball" and "Wedding Day?????," the quote "I can't argue with him. He's an Admiral. He outranks me," referring to Admiral Snedaker in "Chowderhead," and the long chain of command required to get Martha's brother-in-law's posting changed in "Martha Meets The Captain."

8. WHY IS THE CAPTAIN HAUNTING GULL COTTAGE?

The transition from here to the over there is affected by several things including the circumstances of the person's death and his state of mind at the time prior to and at the time of death. Oftentimes, a ghost will remain near the place where his death occurred if it was a sudden or tragic passing, or near a person or place to whom he was emotionally attached. In the Captain's case, perhaps he still hangs around Gull Cottage because he spent his life savings on the place and intended it to be a home for retired seamen. He stubbornly refuses to give up ownership of the cottage because he cannot bear to entrust its care to his blundering nephew, Claymore! True romantics, however, would like to believe that Carolyn and the Captain were destined to meet and he was hanging about Gull Cottage waiting for her to show up!

9. WHO CAN SEE CAPTAIN GREGG?

Children see and hear many things that adults seem to have lost the ability to experience. Ditto for animals. Jonathan was able to see the Captain from the very beginning, as was his pet dog, Scruffy. Jonathan's older sister, Candy, however, was unaware of the Captain's presence until the second season. How and when she was introduced to Captain Gregg was not explained. In the case of adults, the Captain makes his presence known only to those whom he so desires to be seen by. Claymore Gregg (unfortunately for him) is aware of the Captain's existence. Carolyn was introduced to the Captain shortly after arriving in Gull Cottage, while Martha didn't meet the Captain until much later during the show's second season.

10. DOES THE CAPTAIN HAVE ANY LIVING DESCENDANTS?

One. Claymore Gregg, the town's realtor, justice of the peace, clerk, fire chief, and president of the city council is SUPPOSEDLY his great nephew. I use the term "supposedly" because the Captain adamantly denies that Claymore is related to him, being an only son of an only son and claiming never to have met his "nephew's" grandmother.

11. HOW MANY DIFFERENT NAMES DID THE CAPTAIN USE TO DESCRIBE HIS "BELOVED" NEPHEW?

Over a hundred, ranging from gull-bellied, snip-headed busy-body to quivering squid with a jellied backbone. Here's the list (contributed by Rhonda Nichols, after many long hours of perusing episodes) in alphabetical order:

aromatic fishmonger
barnacle (four times)
benighted barnacle
blasted barnacle
blasted ninny
blasted sea slug
blasted pipsqueak
blasted bonehead
blockhead
blubberbrain
buffoon (three times)
chuckle-headed booby
clod (three times)
clumsy nit
clumsy dolt
conniving cipher
corrupt cockleshell
cowardly codfish
devout coward
dolt
dreadful nuisance
dunce (twice)
dunderhead
Ebenezer Scrooge
failure at living
fiddlebrain
flotsam-faced fake
fool (twice)
fortunate clod
Gregg pretender
gull-bellied, snip-headed busy-body
ill wind
insignificant petty conniver
jellyfish
larcenous sea slug
leech
lilyliver (twice)
lout, as welcome as an outbreak of scurvy
lummox
malingering bilge-blister
mere pygmy
miserable barnacle
miserable sheep in wolf's clothing
miserable wart
miserable skinflint
miserly squid
money-gouging grub
money-gouging sand shark
nincompoop
ninny who can be frightened by an angry termite
ninny (twice)
nit (twice)
numbskull (twice)
oaf (four times)
one of a bumbling brigade
one of a pitiful pair
one of a misbegotten pair
one with a crafty, craven, cringing hide
penurious penny-pinching lease-breaker
pilfering pickpocket
pilfering pipsqueak
pilfering pirate
pinheaded pyromaniac
pitiful sight with weak chin and watery eyes
poor imitation with watery blood and weak flesh
puny pelican
quaking jellyfish
quivering squid
quivering bowl of blamange
quivering squid with a jellied backbone
quivering mass of jelly
rodent
scoundrel with a nickel-nursing heart
scurvy swab
second-rate scoundrel
simpering dolt
simpleton (twice)
skinflint
snivelling misfit
spineless toad
splay-footed marshmallow
sponge-spined jellyfish
stingy, money-grubbing, penny-pinching...
stupid
swab
the one thing abhorred more than marriage
the lesser of two evils
treacherous conniver
two-legged worm
underhanded oaf
whimpering, mewling, brittle-boned pest
worthless nothing
wretch

The Captain also made a couple of lovely threats that are worth mentioning:

"I'll dissect him bone-by-bone."
"I'll impale his gullet on a marlinspike!"

12. DID THE CAPTAIN EVER CALL MRS. MUIR BY HER GIVEN NAME?

Once. The Captain finally referred to Mrs. Muir as Carolyn at the end of the last-run episode of the series, "Wedding Day?????" This occurred at a particularly moving moment right after Carolyn's parents had renewed their wedding vows. The Captain, noting that the problem of how Carolyn would extricate herself from a trip to the altar with Claymore had been solved, said: "You may now consider your engagement to Claymore permanently broken." To which Carolyn replied, "Oh, I do, Captain." The Captain then, in a moment of weakness, said: "I do, Carolyn." Upon receiving a questioning look from Carolyn, he explained: "I just wanted to hear how the words sounded spoken on an occasion like this!" Double sigh!

13. DOES GULL COTTAGE REALLY EXIST?

Yes, Virginia, there really is a Gull Cottage! The cottage resides in Montecito, California, shouldered between condominiums, and minus the lion statues on the porch, the ship's wheel on the balcony, and the widow's walk on the roof. Many of the interior scenes in the television series were shot in the house, and the rest were filmed at Twentieth Century Fox.

14. I REMEMBER WATCHING G&MM AS A CHILD AND WAS SO DISAPPOINTED WHEN IT WAS CANCELED BY ABC. IS THERE ANY CHANCE THAT THE SERIES WILL BE REVIVED?

At the current time, there are no plans to revive or create a remake of the show. However, Sean Connery is planning to do a remake of the movie version of G&MM. Mr. Connery owns the rights to make the film, which would be done by his own production company, with him cast as Captain Gregg, The movie's director Randa Haines has been quoted in "Marilyn Beck's Hollywood" column as saying she'll be making an update of "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir" with Sean Connery "as soon as we get a script."

Haines, who directed such films as "Children of a Lesser God" and "Doctor," envisions the "Muir" remake as "a chance to explore the story from contemporary times" and hopes to have a winning screenplay soon. G&MM fans echo that sentiment, Randa!

15. THE SHOW SOUNDS FASCINATING! I'D LOVE TO WATCH A FEW OF THE EPISODES. IS THE SERIES CURRENTLY AIRING IN SYNDICATION?

At first we believed that the series would be shown on TV Land.  The network (part of Nick at Nite) was purchased and ONE episode, the pilot, was shown.  However the network claims to have no current plans on showing the rest of the series.   You're welcome to go to the TV Land website and email them, requesting the show to be aired.

16. HAVE THE EPISODES BEEN RELEASED ON VIDEO CASSETTE?

Not at this time. However, Warner Home Video has been releasing "Family TV Classics" on video, and they may be the best source to contact. If you'd like to write to them and voice your request for the release of G&MM on videocassette, their address is:

Warner Home Video--Family TV Classics
4000 Warner Blvd.
Burbank, CA 91522

There are several known sources, including myself, that will supply videotaped copies of the show for a fee.  If you're interested, please contact me at MacWombat@aol.com.

17. G&MM WAS HIGHLY REGARDED BY CRITICS AND FANS ALIKE. DID THE SHOW EVER WIN AN EMMY?

No, the show never won an Emmy. Hope Lange, however, garnered a best actress award both seasons for her portrayal as Carolyn Muir. Scruffy won a Patsy (the animal equivalent of an Emmy) in 1970. Edward Mulhare and Charles Nelson Reilly were both nominated for the first
and second season respectively, but did not win.

18. IS THE BOOK STILL IN PRINT?

Yes. The novel by R.A. Dick is still in print and can be ordered by your local bookseller or through the internet at Amazon.com.

19. ARE THERE ANY OTHER G&MM RELATED BOOKS OR PUBLICATIONS AVAILABLE?

Yes. In 1968 Alice Denham released a book based upon the television series. The book was originally released in paperback form and featured a nice shot of Hope Lange (Carolyn Muir) and Edward Mulhare (Captain Gregg) on the cover. That version is currently out of print but occasionally a copy has turned up at various used bookstores or yard sales.

A special reprinted hardback version, however, can be special ordered through Amazon. Com. It retails for $18.95.

There is also a book available that details the making of the 1947 G&MM classic movie. Put out by the British Film Institute, it's a slim paperback that includes a lot of stills. It retails for $9.95, $7.96 if purchased through Amazon.com.

There are several G&MM fanzines currently available.  A fanzine is a piece of fiction written by other authors that have been published through small presses.  Fanzines are not available through retail outlets and bookstores, but can only be purchased through websites and fan conventions.   Below is a list of what is known to be published:

Above All Else, Testament, Captain's Logs, Tales From Schooner Bay, and The Portrait were written by Linda Mooney.  She also publishes a series of short stories called DINGHIES that are published in booklet form.  In addition you can subscribe to the bi-monthly newsletter The Schooner Bay Beacon.  For more information go to http://www.macwombat.com

Violets in the Snow and Remembrance were written by Caroline Kent,  along with two books of memorable quotes uttered by that irascible sea captain, Captain Gregg:  I'm a Sea Captain, Not a Plumber! - The Quotable Captain Gregg, Volume One and I'm Only A Spirit, Remember? - The Quotable Captain Gregg, Volume Two, both compiled by Caroline Kent.   You can find out more information about Caroline Kent's books at http://members.xoom.com/mrsmuir/

Second Chances and A Moment in Time are both written by Laurie Bryant. If you'd like more information about them, email Laurie Bryant at LaurieBryant@att.net.

The Last Commander and Some False Impossible Shore were written by Jane Kirtley. If you'd like more information about how to obtain a copy, email Jane Kirtley at kirtl001@umn.edu

20. WERE THERE ANY G&MM RELATED MAGAZINE ARTICLES OR INTERVIEWS?

Yes. They are as follows:

TV Guide - September 14, 1968 - Fall Preview Issue featuring review of the show
TV Guide - Oct.19-25, 1968 - Review of the show
TV Guide - Oct.26-Nov.1, 1968 - Hope Lange Cover/Interview
TV Guide - Nov.29-Dec.5, 1969 - Reta Shaw Interview
TV Guide - May 17-23, 1969 - Edward Mulhare Interview
TV Guide - May 9-15, 1970 - Charles Nelson Reily Interview

The following TV Guide covers/interviews do not pertain directly to G&MM but might be of interest to Hope Lange fans:

TV Guide - March 23-29, 1963 - Andy Williams cover/Hope Lange modeling hairstyles and outfits
TV Guide - Oct. 9-15, 1971 - Hope Lange/Dick Van Dyke cover
TV Guide - Dec. 11-17, 1971 - James Garner cover/Hope Lange Interview
TV Guide - April 22-28, 1972 - Don Rickles cover/Hope Lange Interview

Issue #23 of "Epi-Log" contains a detailed summary of all G&MM episodes as well as several lovely b/w photos containing the cast members.

You can order the back issue of "Epi-Log" from:

Star Tech
P.O. Box 456
Dunlap, TN 37327

The April 1970 (#134) issue of Mad Magazine contains a wonderful parody of the show entitled "The Ghost and The Mrs. Misses." Write to the magazine for more information about back issues.

21. I RECENTLY HEARD A RUMOR THAT A G&MM MUSICAL IS IN THE WORKS. IS THIS TRUE?

Yes.  Bill Francoeur created the words and lyrics to a G&MM musical, which was produced in the Fall of 1998 in Philadelphia.   The project was been in the works for about nine years, and had previously been produced in California, with a kind of musical, light comedy slant. The people who worked on it felt that they should go back to the love story, as that's what makes the story work, so seven of the songs originally written for the first production were been kept and the rest discarded.   At this time he is in the process of revamping the musical for future performances.

22. IS IT TRUE THAT EDWARD MULHARE HAS PASSED ON?

Yes. Edward Mulhare, tragically and prematurely, passed on May 24th, 1997, at his home in Van Nuys after a five-month battle with liver cancer. He was 74.

23. IS RETA SHAW STILL ALIVE?

Sadly, no. Reta Shaw passed on in 1982.

24. WHAT ABOUT HOPE LANGE? CHARLES NELSON REILLY? AND SCRUFFY?

Hope Lange died December 21st, 2003 from an infection known as ischemic colitis.   Charles Nelson Reilly is still very much alive and involved in various projects. Scruffy is happily frolicking about in doggy heaven.

25. WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THE ACTRESS AND ACTOR WHO PORTRAYED CANDY AND JONATHAN MUIR?

US Magazine did a special "Where Are They Now?" feature in the September 4, 1989 issue, which included a segment on Kellie Flanagan (Candy Muir). At that time, Kellie was living in Venice, California, and running her own videotaping company called "Strictly Video Productions," which produced everything from demo tapes for performers to documentary-type programs.

26. WHERE CAN I FIND PICTURES OF THE CAST MEMBERS?

First, run a search on eBay.  There's always videos and photos up for sale.

Jerry Ohlinger's Movie Material Store carries a large assortment of 8x10 black & white and color G&MM stills. If you write to them and enclose a SASE they'll send you a listing of what's currently available. Their address is:

Jerry Ohlinger's Movie Material Store, Inc.
242 W 14th St.
New York, NY 10011
Phone: (212) 989-0869
FAX: (212) 989-1660

Collectors Book Store carries several 8x10 B&W reprints on heavy stock paper. They retail for $6.00 each. Again, write to them and enclose a SASE for a current listing. Their address is:

Collectors Book Store
1708 N. Vine St.
Hollywood, CA 90028
(213) 467-3296

Collectors Book Store also carries an original script from the second season--"Puppy Love." The price for the script, which contains a studio cover and is the final draft, is $35.00 plus $5.00 s/h.

Star World also has a few good candid's of Edward Mulhare taken in the 1980's. Their address is:

Star World
6665 Hollywood Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90078
(213) 469-0757

Hollywood Book and Poster has five slides from which they will make prints: two are from rehearsals because Edward Mulhare is only wearing the sweater but no jacket, one is from the pilot of the Captain, very nice, and two studio shots of Hope Lange, also quite nice. Their address is:

Hollywood Book and Poster Co.
P.O. Box 539
Los Angeles, CA 90078
(213) 465-8764
FAX: (213) 465-0413

The Bijou Collectibles has some lovely color shots of Edward Mulhare and Hope Lange. They also have a few stills containing the children and Claymore. Their address is:

The Bijou Collectables
P.O. Box 201
Fullerton, CA 92632
(714) 680-8799

You can also find lots of cool pics on the "Image" page of Caroline Kent's G&MM website at
http://members.xoom.com/mrsmuir/images.html

In addition, you can occasionally find some very interesting photos at eBay.  By subscribing to their services, they will contact you by email if any are put up for auction.

27. WHERE CAN I FIND COPIES OF THE EPISODE SCRIPTS?

I have several copies of scripts available for sale.   You can find a list of them, plus cost, at www.macwombat.com/order.htm.

In addition, Script City currently carries the scripts to the following episodes:

Dog Gone
Chowderhead
The Medicine Ball
Today I Am A Ghost
Madam Candidate
Medium Well Done
Not So Desperate Hours
Not So Faust
Tourist Go Home

To write for a current listing and pricing information, send a SASE to:

Script City
8033 Sunset Blvd.
Suite 1500
Hollywood, CA 90046

28. IS THERE A G&MM MAILING LIST OR USENET NEWSGROUP?

Currently, there is no G&MM newsgroup. However, there is a G&MM e-mail loop where fans of the show can discuss the show, the characters and the actors. To join, you may either subscribe at yahoogroups.com (search word GAMM), or you can contact Linda Mooney at MacWombat@aol.com.

29. IS THERE ANY INFORMATION ABOUT G&MM AVAILABLE ON THE WWW?

Yes, there are several websites dedicated to the show.  Caroline Kent's website  contains  lots of images from both the television show and movie, audio and video clips, a quote of the month, plus a copy of this FAQ. The URL is http://members.xoom.com/mrsmuir/

Victoria Soo has created a wonderful "Ghost and Mrs. Muir Multimedia" website that contains some wonderful video clips.  The URL for her site is http://www.fortunecity.com/lavendar/python/191/

Hazelyn Patterson's "Haunted Online" features GAMM-related interviews, stories, polls and trivia.  The URL for her website is http://members.xoom.com/gammwebring/gammframe1.html