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The Ghost House

Name: The Ghost House
Director: William C. deMille
Released: 1917
Duration: 50 min

Representation Score

1.0/10

Minimal

1917

Passed

Director

William C. deMille

Runtime

50 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

The Ghost House is a conventional silent-era comedy-thriller that operates strictly within the social norms of its time. While the female protagonists show a basic level of independence, the film lacks depth in reflecting multiple aspects of identity. The narrative structure relies on established clichés, such as the deceptive gardener and fraternity rites, rather than challenging social hierarchies. It functions as a standard genre piece without addressing systemic power dynamics. Ultimately, the film lacks representation for LGBTQ+ identities, diverse ethnicities, or disability, making it a product of its era's homogeneous casting and storytelling standards.

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Category Breakdown

Does The Ghost House have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film does not include any characters with LGBTQ+ identities or non-cisgender identities. The story follows traditional early 20th-century roles without questioning the assumption that everyone is straight or cisgender.

How does The Ghost House portray gender?

Fair

Lois and Alice Atwell show a strong presence by choosing to live in their family home. However, the film upholds traditional gender roles through male-dominated fraternity rituals.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Ghost House?

Minimal

The cast seems to reflect the homogeneous, Anglo-Saxon casting standards typical of 1917. There is no indication of a racially diverse cast.

How does The Ghost House represent religion and culture?

Limited

The story relies on Western social traditions, such as fraternity initiations and classic deception clichés. It does not question the power structures of Western institutions.

Does The Ghost House include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no mention of characters with visible or invisible disabilities. Such identities are not used as plot devices within the story.

Present on Screen

The Atwell sisters demonstrate a degree of female independence by reclaiming their family home.
The narrative presents a clear central conflict through the deception of the gardener.

Limited or Absent

The film lacks representation for LGBTQ+ identities and non-cisgender characters.
The casting appears homogeneous, lacking racial and ethnic diversity.
The story adheres to traditional social structures rather than challenging them.

Official Synopsis

The old Atwell home is said to be haunted, and Jeremy Foster, the gardener--who is actually the head of a band of thieves that use the house for a hideout--does his best to keep the superstition alive. Despite the rumors, impoverished sisters Lois and Alice Atwell decide to move into the empty family home. They take possession the same night that Ted Rawson is ordered to explore the place as an initiation rite by his fraternity.

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