The Smiling Ghost (1941)

Starring Wayne Morris, Brenda Marshall, Alexis Smith, Alan Hale, Lee Patrick
Directed by Lewis Seiler
(actor & director credits courtesy IMDB.com)

A struggling chemical engineer is targeted by a wealthy family to become the latest fiancee of a beautiful debutante whose previous lovers have all been assaulted, supposedly by a ghostly figure.

I think there's a lot to enjoy in this mystery-comedy from Warner Brothers, which has a terrific opening title sequence, introducing us to the face of the "Smiling Ghost," complete with a spooky underscore.  However, your tolerance for the film will likely depend on how much you can take of Willie Best again playing a stereotyped servant who is far too easily frightened.  Wayne Morris, who impressed me in The Return Of Doctor X, plays another likable protagonist, who soon becomes the object of interest not only by Smith's wealthy heiress, but also Marshall's reporter, trying to get the scoop on all the murders.  The ghost's creature makeup is more than effective, with a truly menacing grin, but don't be expecting too much in the way of horror, as the ghost is clearly never intended to be anything supernatural.  I liked Alan Hale as a sort of hip for the times butler, who's soon packing heat to try and protect Morris, and The Mad Ghoul's David Bruce also appears as a previous victim of the Smiling Ghost, confined to an iron lung.  I can't say all the comedy scenes work, but there's a few witty lines, and the cast is a nice ensemble with good chemistry together.