House on Haunted Hill (1959)

House on Haunted Hill (1959)

'My dear, the only ghoul in the house is you'.

Directed by: William Malone 

Starring: Vincent Price, Famke Jannsen, Geoffrey Rush, Ali Larter

Released: October 29th 1959

Budget: 19M      Box Office: 40.8M

Concept

This classic horror film is all about a millionaire named Steven Price, who rents out an old abandoned house with a very dark history for his trophy wife. He invites several people he barely knows and hasn't even met, with the prize of staying the night to be $50,000. 

Without giving too much away that is the basic bare bones of the plot. But how suspenseful and atmospheric this film is is darkishly beautiful. The trailer itself would probably have you both feeling dread and curiosity whilst laughing at the cheesy props from yesteryear. but don't be fooled, this plot is incredible and engrossing.

The house itself is a character. An abandoned asylum previously full of experiments and breakouts, a horrendous fire, a woman who's head was never found after a murder. A vat of acid in the cellar etc etc. 

It carries a nice twist to the usual haunted house story, what do you do if you are locked inside the house with no escape? Better yet are the other characters. From a humble secretary of Mr Price, an alcoholic who's own brother was murdered in the house, a gambler, a pilot in debt etc.

It does carry the usual cliches such as rattling chains, groans and blood on the wall, and those caretakers? Nooo way you can count me out.

Review

If you have seen this film before go watch it again. If you haven't then you are in for a real treat. One of the few films that actually made me genuinely filled with fear and dread House on Haunted Hill will be a long time staple in my favourite movies collection.  A goodbye to the end of the 50's with pure amazing results. 

You will likely laugh at some moments and not take it seriously, but the film will soon find you back on the edge of your seat. From the moment it begins it is a rollercoaster of terrifying, and in the moments inbetween decent character development and suspense. Not all the characters matter (they never do in a horror) but you wish it could go on longer. 

See this film, Right now. It is purely bloodthirstingly creative and great fun to watch in the dark.