Casper
Spielberg's Role: Executive Producer
US Release Date: 1995
The idea for Casper "simply
came to be out of fond and collective memories of
everyone who remembers the cartoon from 30 years ago," -Steven Spielberg-
It could have been
a flop. The making of a live action Casper movie could
have lost a lot of money and respect...for anyone else
besides Spielberg and his creative team at Amblin. Even
with the amazing special effects, the film could have
been a second class blockbuster rent. Credit must be
spread across the board for this film. The story was good
enough for both young and old audiences, and the acting
and directing made the wonder wonderful and the jokes
funny.
The story comes from the old Harvey
Comics, Casper the Friendly Ghost. This particular story
takes place in Friendship, Maine at Whipstaff Manor.
Carrigan Crittenden (played by Cathy Moriarty) inherits
the Mansion and plans to steal a fabled treasure inside.
When she runs into Stretch, Stinkie and Fatso, she hires
Dr. Harvey (BILL PULLMAN), to coax the ghosts into
passing over into the next world. His daughter Kat (CHRISTINA
RICCI) is forced to follow him there. Casper and her
become friends who defend the house while throwing a
party.
Credit must go to rookie director Brad
Silberling. "Although it was an ambitious film to
hand a first-time director, I really felt with his
ability and sensibility to do both comedy and drama,
which was evident in his episodic work, he was a good
choice." says Spielberg, "His talent made him
the best choice." Meanwhile producer Colin Wilson is
a veteran Spielberg student working on the Indiana Jones
trilogy, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Jurassic
Park and The Flintstones.
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