You know, that bugged me. And how does *throwing a candleabra* make the ghost leave? She's been around for 20 years trying to kill her husband's love-child without success- would it really be that easy to get her out of the house? _______________________________ I don't need to be forgiven...
It always works for me in real life, except I keep running out of candelabras....
Okay, I don't think it was the tossed candelabra that drove her out, but her realization that none of them was frightened of her anymore, as Ray tells her. Without the power to harm or scare, and her secret known, MM just decides to pull out. Luckily, the Fitzgeralds hadn't gotten around to polyurethaning the floors yet when he threw the candles.
I always wondered where Mary and Carmel went off to. Different planes, I expect.
I agree, that's the explanation we're sposed to go along with, but come ON! It just bugs me to death that discovery of her secret is enough to make her give up.
I betcha Minwax or Thompson's could make a really interesting ad based on their candelabra-scuff-repelling properties. :) _______________________________ I don't need to be forgiven...
I'd think the nuthouse. There's no proof of Carmel's murder, so it couldn't be a criminal asylum, just a "crazy-philanthropists-in-love-with-dead-ladies" asylum. _______________________________ I don't need to be forgiven...
"I agree, that's the explanation we're sposed to go along with, but come ON! It just bugs me to death that discovery of her secret is enough to make her give up."
Well I think it was the combination of things mentioned in this thread....
But with her secret 'gone' there wouldn't be anything left for her to protect, and with Carmel gone, there wouldn't be anyone left for her to hang out with any longer.
It was Ray Milland’s laughter and indication that she couldn’t frighten anyone any longer that made the ghost retreat. The throwing of the candelabra was simply an “act of defiance” to emphasize the point. Without the ability to frighten, the ghost was powerless.