The Old Dark House main backdrop
The Old Dark House main poster

The Old Dark House

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6.7/10 • 257

1932-10-201h 10m

DramaHorrorThriller

Beware the night!

In a remote region of Wales, five travelers beset by a relentless storm find shelter in an old mansion.

Directors
James Whale
Editors
Clarence Kolster

Top Billed Cast

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  1. Boris Karloff

    Boris Karloff

    Morgan

  2. Melvyn Douglas

    Melvyn Douglas

    Penderel

  3. Charles Laughton

    Charles Laughton

    Sir William Porterhouse

  4. Lilian Bond

    Lilian Bond

    Gladys

  5. Ernest Thesiger

    Ernest Thesiger

    Horace Femm

  6. Eva Moore

    Eva Moore

    Rebecca Femm

  7. Raymond Massey

    Raymond Massey

    Philip Waverton

  8. Gloria Stuart

    Gloria Stuart

    Margaret Waverton

  9. Elspeth Dudgeon

    Elspeth Dudgeon

    Sir Roderick Femm

Reviews2

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John Chard Avatar

John Chard

Apr 24, 2019

8/10

Beware The Night. As a violent storm rages, five travellers in a remote part of Wales take refuge at a creepy looking mansion that's home to the "odd" Femm family... Weird, exciting and positively funny haunted house film with a top cast that's directed by one of Horror's greatest directors, James Whale. Based loosely around J.B. Priestley's novel "Benighted", the piece is further boosted by excellent camera work from Arthur Edeson and a screenplay that positively zips with memorable moments. Upon release in America the film was poorly received, yet unsurprisingly given it's British dryness, it was well liked in Britain. Even spawning an imitation in the form of The Ghoul, with both Boris Karloff and the irrepressible Ernest Thesiger again starring. The Old Dark House got a reissue in the late 30s after the Horror genre had been reinvigorated by the likes of King Kong, but sadly it fell off the radar once the rights had reverted to Priestley. The film then appeared to be lost for many many years until Curtis Harrington (director of such TV Horror fare like Killer Bees) found a print in the archives in 1968, and thankfully got the funding to have the film restored and preserved. Thus now, and as far from perfect as the print is, the piece can be enjoyed by anyone with a bent for such a unique blend of Horror & Comedy. You have to be prepared for its kooky nature to truly enjoy the experience, but all being well The Old Dark House will continue to garner new fans with each passing year. The supreme director and marvellous cast deserve that at least. 8/10

Media

  • The Old Dark House poster
  • The Old Dark House poster
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  • The Old Dark House poster
  • The Old Dark House poster
  • The Old Dark House poster
  • The Old Dark House poster
  • The Old Dark House poster

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Status
Released
Original Language
English
Budget
--
Revenue
--
Keywords
walesbased on novel or bookfamily secretssocial satireold dark housemadnesspre-codeisolated housestormy nightcreepy housemute servantsocial prejudices