House on Haunted Hill

 

 

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Vincent Price. A haunted mansion house. Spooky caretakers. And a giant pile of money to any of the guests who lives through the night. What's not to love?

"The House on Haunted Hill" is one of those rare horror movies that seems as fresh as if it were made yesterday. The script is clever, the acting is solid, and while the direction is a bit on the hammy side, the plot is clever enough to keep viewers riveted until the final twist. It's horror, myster and dark comedy all in one.

Frederick Loren (Vincent Price) decides to host a macabre birthday party for his devious wife Annabelle (Carol Ohmart), in the "House on Haunted Hill." He invites a test pilot, a columnist, a secretary and the house's unbalanced owner, and offers each one ten thousand dollars if they stay all night. Chandeliers fall, doors slam shut, and they get to see the wine vat full of acid.

But as the night goes on, poor Nora Manning (Carolyn Craig) begins to see specters and rotted heads. The others think she's hysterical -- until Annabelle is found hanging in the hallway, dead. The unfortunate guests start to suspect that Loren brought them there to murder them (except for the owner, who blames ghosts). But the truth is far more complex and sinister....

William Castle made a lot of slightly kitschy horror movies like "13 Ghosts" and "The Tingler," but this clever twist on haunted-house movies is probably his best work ever. Okay, that dancing skeleton is unintentionally funny, as is the gliding crone. But most of the time, it provides some in-your-face chills and great work from Price.

This movie has solid dialogue ("Do you remember the fun we had when you poisoned me?") and some truly wicked exchanges between Price and Ohmart, as spouses who completely loathe one another. Castle's weird sense of humor shows up in the coffin-shaped boxes, the vat of acid, and the organ playing itself.

But the most impressive aspect of "House" is that it's not just another ghosts-terrify-screaming-idiots movie. It's more of a mystery, before the crime is committed. We're never quite sure if there really are ghosts haunting the place, or if the humans are the ones who are really causing all this trouble. What's really scary is that the humans are more frightening.

Vincent Price is definitely the star here -- creepy, intelligent, debonair, and he has an acid comment for every occasion ("Don't stay up thinking of ways to get rid of me. It makes wrinkles"). Ohmart runs a close second with her seductive, devious trophy wife; the other actors do solid jobs as well, although Craig doesn't do much except shriek periodically.

It's should be noted that the Alpha Video version of this is a good inexpensive version to buy. Many public domain movies are in rotten condition, but the print for this is clear, sharp and unmarred. There's only one problem: everything is tinted slightly purple. I'm not sure why, but if you can ignore it, it's worth getting.

"House on Haunted Hill" is a deserving vintage horror movie -- a twisty plot, and Price doing his best creepy-might-be-villain act. A must-see.

i found this movie entertaining.it has some spooky moments,to be
sure,but i wouldn't say it was scary,but it is a nifty little
mystery.the basic premise is that a group of people are invited to
spend the Night in a reputed Haunted House.if they survive the
Night,they are given $10,000 each.naturally strange things happen with
no apparent reason.there is a bit of overacting here and a few things
are a bit overdone,but that just adds to the fun of the movie.the
special effects are very quaint by today's standards,but i have no
doubt they were effective back then.there isn't a lot of music in this
movie,and i think it could have benefited a bit from more,to heighten
the mood.all in all,though,a pretty decent film.for me,House on Haunted
Hill is a 3/5

20th Century Fox present "HOUSE ON HAUNTED HILL" (released: February 17, 1959) (75 mins) (B&W/Color Versions) - Under William Castle (Director / Producer), Robb White (Screenwriter), Carl Guthrie (Cinematographer), Von Dexter (Composer (Music Score), Roy Livingston (Editor), Dave Milton (Art Director), Jane Huizenga (Production Director), David D. Martin (Technical Director) - - - - - - our star Vincent Price plays Frederick Loren, an eccentric millionaire that invites five very different people to a haunted house for a party, and offers them $10,000 if they can stay the night --- As usual, Price gives a commanding performance and completely steals every scene he's in --- Elisha Cook in particular gives excellent support playing the wimpy owner of the house; much the same character that he played in the Stanley Kubrick masterpiece; 'The Killing" (1956) --- The rest of the cast is made up of unknown actors, but they also all perform to relatively high standards in their respective roles --- House on Haunted Hill is topped off by a brilliant double twist, and it is also given certain originality --- the atmosphere and uneasiness of this film makes for an incredible who done it story as you wonder who will get it --- The set is intoxicating inasmuch as you never really see all of it, nor is it really explained what such a dangerous acid pit is doing in such a precarious spot in the basement --- Throughout the movie, there is an abundant sense of dread that is perpetually present and it serves the film well in that it brings the house to life --- at every point in the film, the audience is made to believe that there is something unseen in the house that will cause bad things to happen --- Director William Castle and actor Vincent Price are at their best!

the cast includes:
Vincent Price ... Frederick Loren
Carolyn Craig ... Nora Manning
Richard Long ... Lance Schroeder
Elisha Cook Jr. ... Watson Pritchard (as Elisha Cook)
Carol Ohmart ... Annabelle Loren
Alan Marshal ... Dr. David Trent
Julie Mitchum ... Ruth Bridgers
Leona Anderson ... Mrs. Slydes
Howard Hoffman ... Jonas Slydes

BIOS:
1. Vincent Price
Date of Birth: 27 May 1911 - St. Louis, Missouri
Date of Death: 25 October 1993 - Los Angeles, California

2. Carolyn Craig
Date of Birth: 27 October 1934 - Green Acres, Long Island, New York
Date of Death: 12 December 1970 - Culver City, California

3. Richard Long
Date of Birth: 17 December 1927 - Chicago, Illinois
Date of Death: 21 December 1974 - Los Angeles, California

4. Elisha Cook Jr.
Date of Birth: 26 December 1903 - San Francisco, California
Date of Death: 18 May 1995 - Big Pine, California

5. Carol Ohmart
Date of Birth: 3 July 1927 - Salt Lake City, Utah
Date of Death: Still Living

6. Alan Marshal
Date of Birth: 29 January 1909, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Date of Death: 13 July 1961 - Chicago, Illinois

7. Julie Mitchum
Date of Birth: 23 July 1914 - Bridgeport, Connecticut
Date of Death: 21 February 2003 - Sun City, Arizona

8. William Castle (Director)
Date of Birth: 24 April 1914 - New York, New York
Date of Death: 31 May 1977 - Los Angeles, California

SPECIAL FEATURES:
1. Hilarious Audio Commentary by Mike Nelson of TV's "Mystery Science Theater 3000"
2. All-New Clorized Version
3. Restored Black and White Version
4. Original Theatrical Trailer, Carnival of Souls, Night of the Living Dead, Reefer Madness and The Three Stooges in Color.

Hats off and thanks to Barry B. Sandrew Ph.D. (Founder, COO, CTO & Board Member) and his Legend Films Staff --- looking forward to more high quality releases from the vintage era of the '20s, '30s & '40s --- order your copy now from Amazon where there are plenty of copies available on DVD --- if you enjoyed this title, why not check out Legend Films where they are experts in releasing long forgotten films and treasures to the collector --- all my heroes have been cowboys!

Total Time: 75 mins on DVD ~ 20th Century Fox ~ (9/06/2005)

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3.0 out of 5 stars The /59 House beats /99 by a length!
This DVD contains two versions of The House on Haunted Hill,the original Feb/59 release version and the remake Oct/99 release version. Read more

Published on Mar 28 2010 by Robert Badgley

4.0 out of 5 stars Only the ghosts are glad we're here
Vincent Price. A haunted mansion house. Spooky caretakers. And a giant pile of money to any of the guests who lives through the night. What's not to love? Read more

Published on Jan 10 2009 by E. A Solinas

5.0 out of 5 stars The ghosts are waiting
Vincent Price. A haunted mansion house. Spooky caretakers. And a giant pile of money to any of the guests who lives through the night. What's not to love? Read more

Published on Aug 3 2007 by E. A Solinas

4.0 out of 5 stars The classic that's fun and scary.
This movie is over all scary, the opening scene sets the stage for a film that was way ahead of it's time. Read more

Published on Jun 28 2004 by Drums

5.0 out of 5 stars FOR 10,000 DOLLARS WOULD YOU SPEND A NIGHT WITH VINCENTPRICE
I absolutley loved this movie. The script writting is wonderful,the acting is treamendous and the surprises you will see in this movie keep you at the end of your seat. Read more

Published on Mar 19 2004

5.0 out of 5 stars a Vincent Price classic
what we seem to have is a battle between the unknown. this is classic horror, done in a melodramatic way, much like the Universal horror classics of the early '30s where all you... Read more

Published on Mar 19 2004 by Jerry McDaniel

3.0 out of 5 stars Stupid!
This film was a bit basic, as it is such an old film it lacks realistic quality, i would recommend this to people who very much like black and white movies, this is not one for... Read more

Published on Feb 17 2004

4.0 out of 5 stars Holds up today.
This b&W horror movie featuring Vincent Price is a gem. It's suspenseful, features some decent acting, and is fun to watch.

Recommended.

Published on Nov 8 2003 by NHgboy

5.0 out of 5 stars Old Price Classic is that pure fun!
William Castle at his gimmicky best! A Classic, spooky Black and White, with deliciously devilish Vincent Price as millionaire with a bored gold-digger wife. Read more

Published on Oct 30 2003 by Deborah MacGillivray

4.0 out of 5 stars Beware the night.
Five people are challenged to spend the night in a haunted house. As you can see, this flick just oozes with original ideas. Read more

Published on Aug 25 2003 by Robert S. Clay Jr.

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