A Ghost With Legs

By DAVID ELLIS/

What gives Ghost its spooky staying power? The Paramount film will pass Disney's Pretty Woman this week to become the biggest box-office draw of the year, grossing almost $180 million since July. The sleeper hit, which tells the story of a murdered young Manhattanite who maintains a spectral presence on earth to protect his wife, has marketing experts trying to figure out its success. One theory is that the film's spiritual message prompts moviegoers to see it over and over with cultlike devotion. Paramount has taken out classified notices in newspapers saying, "If you have seen Ghost more than six times, Paramount Pictures wants to talk to you." So far, 250 fans have responded.

With reporting by DANIEL S. LEVY