The Spook Speaks
“W-H-O-O-O IT'S A HOWL !”
Synopsis
A magician hires Buster as a housekeeper while he's away.
Top Cast
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Release History & Theatrical Window
September 20, 1940
Wide Cinema Exhibition
Financials & Box Office Performance
Production Budget
$15K
Filming & production cost
Worldwide Gross
$53K
Total global ticket sales
Box Office Return
3.5x
+$38K net gain
Theatrical Status
Mega Hit
Box office tier
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Jules White
- Screenplay & Story
- Clyde Bruckman, Ewart Adamson, Elwood Ullman
- Original Title
- The Spook Speaks
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- Spoken Languages
- English
- Runtime
- 18m
- Production Budget
- $15K
- Worldwide Gross
- $53K
- Production Studios
- Columbia Pictures
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Jules White
Clyde Bruckman, Ewart Adamson, Elwood Ullman
Henry Freulich
Mel Thorsen
Jules White
Department Leadership Roster
Clyde Bruckman
Writer
Ewart Adamson
Writer
Elwood Ullman
Writer
Jules White
Director
Jules White
Producer
Henry Freulich
Director of Photography
Mel Thorsen
Editor
Age Classification & Content Advisories
Official viewer rating standards and content warnings across international classification boards.
NR: Not Rated — Evaluated outside standard classification boards.
International Certification Matrix
Not Rated — Evaluated outside standard classification boards.
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for The Spook Speaks.
Featured In Curated Collections
Editorial lists, community rankings, and cinematic collections featuring The Spook Speaks.
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Spook Speaks
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is The Spook Speaks about?
A magician hires Buster as a housekeeper while he's away.
Who directed The Spook Speaks?
The Spook Speaks was directed by Jules White.
Who stars in The Spook Speaks?
The principal cast of The Spook Speaks includes Buster Keaton, Elsie Ames, Don Beddoe, Lynton Brent, John Tyrrell.
When was The Spook Speaks released and how long is it?
The Spook Speaks was released in 1940 with a total runtime of 18m.
What was the box office and production budget of The Spook Speaks?
The Spook Speaks had a reported production budget of $15K and grossed $53K at the worldwide box office (3.5 return on budget, classified as a blockbuster success).
What is the age rating and content advisory for The Spook Speaks?
The Spook Speaks holds official age classifications: US: NR (Not Rated — Evaluated outside standard classification boards.).