Blackbeard's Ghost 1968

As Steve Walker (/actor/dean-jones) rolls into the historic and charming town of Godolphin, the fate of the beloved Blackbeard’s Inn hangs in the balance. Named after the notorious Captain Edward Teach, the inn has served as a warm refuge for many over the years, but now it faces the threat of modernity and the greed of Silky Seymour - a local crime boss intent on seizing the establishment. In a valiant effort to save their cherished inn, the Daughters of the Buccaneers, a feisty trio of elderly women linked to Blackbeard’s crew, stand their ground against Seymour’s ambitions.

Upon his arrival at the inn, Steve is immediately captivated by its rustic allure and the strong sense of community that envelops it. However, his excitement quickly turns to apprehension as he encounters a stream of unforeseen hurdles. The track team he was meant to coach is underprepared, tensions arise with the dean of Godolphin College regarding athletic regulations, and the local football coach seems determined to complicate his life at every turn.

In this whirlwind, Steve crosses paths with Jo Anne Baker (/actor/joby-baker), a dedicated professor at Godolphin who has passionately taken up the cause of the Daughters. Inspired by her fervor, Steve finds himself drawn into their mission to rescue Blackbeard’s Inn from the brink of extinction.

In a twist of fate, Steve unwittingly becomes involved in a fierce bidding competition with the football coach during a charity auction, ultimately triumphing with an antique bed warmer once owned by Blackbeard’s 10th wife, Aldetha Teach. This peculiar relic conceals secrets, including a hidden book of magic spells attributed to Aldetha.

On a whim, Steve makes the fateful decision to recite one of these spells, hoping it will tip the scales in his favor. Unbeknownst to him, his chant invokes the ghost of Blackbeard, whose presence is both playful and sorrowful. Bound to a limbo existence by his wife Aldetha, Blackbeard’s spirit yearns for release. Now caught in a supernatural conundrum, Steve must navigate the ghostly realm to aid Blackbeard in finding peace.

As he comes to grips with his new reality, Steve discovers that he is now inexplicably tethered to Blackbeard’s wayward spirit, whose antics only he can witness. Juggling the task of revitalizing the struggling track team while pursuing a romantic affair with Jo Anne becomes increasingly challenging, further complicated by the spirit’s unpredictable interferences. The situation escalates dramatically when Blackbeard, attempting to commandeer Steve’s car as if it were a pirate vessel, inadvertently results in Steve’s arrest for drunk driving. Behind bars, Steve pleads with Blackbeard to channel their connection for good, emphasizing the importance of performing a noble act to lift the curse binding the pirate to his side.

The following morning, Steve is released due to insufficient evidence, but looming over him is the urgent need to secure a victory in the upcoming track meet, or else lose his job. Meanwhile, Blackbeard, despite Steve’s desperate attempts to maintain control, has plans of his own. He decides to use his ghostly abilities to influence the race in Godolphin’s favor, even resorting to stealing one of the Inn’s mortgage payments to place a bet on the team.

Initially infuriated by Blackbeard’s interference, Steve ultimately recognizes the potential impact a victory could have on their struggling inn. He even sees the merit in allowing Blackbeard to leverage his spectral abilities to intimidate Silky Seymour, who has been shortchanging the track team. With the debt settled, Blackbeard achieves the noble deed needed to break his curse.

As the team prepares for the critical race, Steve invites Jo Anne and the Daughters to recite the spell that summoned Blackbeard. In doing so, the legendary pirate becomes visible once again, ready to take his leave. As they bid him farewell, Blackbeard departs to reunite with his old crew, leaving Steve and Jo Anne free to navigate their future together, unencumbered by the past.