The Uninvited [Criterion Collection]

The Uninvited [Criterion Collection]

Director: Lewis Allen Cast: Ray Milland
Ray Milland
, Ruth Hussey
Ruth Hussey
, Gail Russell
Gail Russell
, Donald Crisp
Donald Crisp
Lewis Allen
The Uninvited [Criterion Collection]

The Uninvited [Criterion Collection]

Director: Lewis Allen Cast: Ray Milland
Ray Milland
, Ruth Hussey
Ruth Hussey
, Gail Russell
Gail Russell
, Donald Crisp
Donald Crisp
Lewis Allen

DVD (Black & White)

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Overview

"The Uninvited is one of the rare Hollywood ghost stories that does not cop out with a ""logical"" ending. In fact, the film has more in common with British ghost tales of the period, in that the characters calmly accept spectral visitations as though they were everyday occurrences. Roderick Fitzgerald (Ray Milland) and his sister, Pamela (Ruth Hussey), buy a house on the Cornish seacoast, never suspecting that it is a ""bad"" house, subject to haunting. Before long, Roderick and Pamela are visited by Stella Meredith (Gail Russell), whose late mother, it is said, is the house ghost. It is further supposed that the ghost means to do Stella harm. Stella's grandfather Commander Beech (Donald Crisp) is close-mouthed on the issue, but it is clear he knows something that he isn't telling. Sure enough, there is a secret to the manor: it is inhabited by not one but two ghosts, one of whom is merely trying to shield Stella from harm. Once the film's deep dark secret is revealed (courtesy of a virtuoso ""mad speech"" by supporting actress Cornelia Otis Skinner), Roderick is able to single-handedly exorcise the estate and claim Stella as his bride. Based on the novel by Dorothy Macardle (with a few uncredited ""lifts"" from Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca), The Uninvited remains one of the spookiest ""old dark house"" films ever made, even after years of inundation by computer-generated special effects. Less effective was the 1945 sequel, The Unseen, which starts well but degenerates into a substandard murder mystery."

Product Details

Release Date: 10/22/2013
UPC: 0715515111911
Original Release: 1944
Rating: NR
Source: Criterion Collection
Region Code: 1
Presentation: [B&W]
Sound: [Dolby Digital Mono]
Language: English
Time: 1:39:00
Sales rank: 1,110

Special Features

New 2K digital restoration; New visual essay by flmmaker Michael Almereyda; Two radio adaptations, from 1944 and 1949, both starring Ray Milland; Trailer; Plus: a booklet featuring an essay by critic Farran Smith Nehme and a 1997 interview with director Lewis Allen

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits
Ray Milland Roderick Fitzgerald
Ruth Hussey Pamela Fitzgerald
Gail Russell Stella Meredith,Portrait of Mary Meredith
Donald Crisp Cdr. Bench
Cornelia Otis Skinner Miss Holloway
Alan Napier Dr. Scott
Dorothy Stickney Miss Hird
Barbara Everest Lizzie Flynn
Jessica Newcombe Miss Ellis
John Kieran Foreword Narrator
Rita Page Annie
David Clyde Boot Owner
Norman Ainsley Chauffeur
Evan Thomas Col. Carlton
Ottola Nesmith Mrs. Carlton
Evan P. Simpson Will Hardy
Moyna MacGill Mrs. Coatsworthy
Queenie Leonard Mrs. Taylor
Leyland Hodgson Taxi Driver
Holmes Herbert Charlie Jessup
Helena Grant Servant
George Kirby Gas Station Attendant
Lynda Grey Ghost of Mary Meredith/Body for Portrait
John Kiernan Foreword Narrator
Betty Farrington Mary Meredith
Victor Young Musician,Composer

Technical Credits
Lewis Allen Director
Frank Partos Screenwriter
Dodie Smith Screenwriter
Charles Brackett Producer
Farciot Edouart Special Effects
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