A couple (Sid Caesar and Vera Miles) and their teenage son (Barry Gordon) rent a haunted New England seaside house, and their summer vacation turns into a ghost-hunt.The film starts out with a sailor marrying an ugly woman for money. When they show her, there are gull noises and she tries (poorly) to make herself look like a catch. This sets the tone of the film... silly, somewhat dated humor. William Castle has done some good work with humor (such as "Zotz"), and he is working with some good names here... but it never fully takes off.Castle has also done good work with ghosts ("House on Haunted Hill", "13 Ghosts") but here does not seem to really know what to do with them. They are not scary, but not really funny either. They are just there. Which makes the plot not have much of an arc (it is hard to resolve a problem without much of a problem). Maybe I should give it another chance, but I think I can see why this is not one of Castle's better-known works.Do not confuse this for a horror film (many have). Despite drawing its title from Matthew 26:41 and therefore a good basis for a satanic tale, it certainly is not.

Based on a novel by Nathaniel Benchley (son of humorist Robert and father of Peter, author of JAWS)"The Spirit is Willing" has several good comedy set ups. Unfortunately, it left out the jokes. The whole movie is like a series of jokes without punch lines.A family headed by comedy icon Sid Caesar rents a New England house they don't know is haunted by three spooks, a husband/wife and the wife's maid, with whom the husband was carrying on. The triple murder that caused the haunting is related in gory detail before the credits.Judging him strictly on movies like this, "The Busybody," and even "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World," it's difficult for anyone of my generation, who missed "Your Show of Shows", to understand why Caesar was considered such a great comic. Any good actor with a comic bent could have played his part.Four things make this movie worth watching.First, there is a first-class lineup of notable supporting actors. These include, sometimes all too briefly, Mary Wickes, Jesse White, Jay C. Flippin, Harvey Limbeck, John McGiver, Byron Foulger, and Doodles Weaver. The second thing follows that almost immediately, and that's John Astin's appearance as a psychiatrist, which comes late in the movie. In his prime, Astin (from the original "Addams Family) could liven any dragging proceedings with a neat comedy turn, and he certainly earned his paycheck this time.Third, the appearance of Jill Townsend in three roles: as one of the ghosts, as a teenager, and as the town librarian.Last but certainly not least, is the Vic Mizzy sound. Vic Mizzy is not one of the more well-known film composer, but his work is instantly recognizable. He did the music for "Green Acres" and several Don Knotts movies (including "The Ghost and Mister Chicken" and "The Reluctant Astronaut). The Vic Mizzy sound is not only comforting in its familiarity in odd situations like ghostly manifestations, it is also tongue-in-cheek. It may be the most wryly humorous part of the film.

I recall this film when I was a child and wondered why it has never been shown on TV. Is there a site I can access it to view again does anyone know? has there recently been a remake did someone say? I recall laughing a lot at it and have often wondered why it has not been released for general view again. it was a funny film and spooky funnies are good. I have hazy memories of it but I think it was rather slapstick and in a lovely New England setting. of course, it might have contained things which today we consider sexist, I can't recall, but some of the comments imply the content may be a little suspect. However, as a child I enjoyed it.

"The Spirit Is Willing" is very funny.This is a late 60's William Castle ghost comedy which has Sid Caesar in a cast.Of course the film isn't as good as earlier Castle's horror films like "House on Haunted Hill","Macabre" or "Thirteen Ghosts",but the level of humour is really high,so everyone who enjoy good horror/comedies won't be disappointed.7 out of 10-still if you want something truly creepy check out "Macabre" or "Homicidal" first!