House on Haunted Hill

( 8 )

Overview

A perennial favorite of the "Shock Theatre" TV circuit, House on Haunted Hill stars Vincent Price as sinister gent you're surprised? Frederick Loren, who resides in a sinister mansion on a sinister hill, where seven murders have occurred. He makes a proposal to several strangers, offtering $10,000 to anyone who can last the entire night. Loren festively gives each of his guests a tiny coffin containing a loaded handgun, designed to protect them from the spooks that emerge in the house over the course of the ...
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Overview

A perennial favorite of the "Shock Theatre" TV circuit, House on Haunted Hill stars Vincent Price as sinister gent you're surprised? Frederick Loren, who resides in a sinister mansion on a sinister hill, where seven murders have occurred. He makes a proposal to several strangers, offtering $10,000 to anyone who can last the entire night. Loren festively gives each of his guests a tiny coffin containing a loaded handgun, designed to protect them from the spooks that emerge in the house over the course of the night. The picture hinges on its surprise ending, which packs in several by-now-familiar twists. When originally released to theaters, House on Haunted Hill was accompanied by one of those gimmicks so beloved of producer/director William Castle: the gimmick was "Emergo," and it involved a prop skeleton that "emerged" from the side of the screen at a crucial moment to frighten the audience. Like most of Castle's best films, House didn't really need the gimmick, but its presence added to the fun -- especially when second- and third-time viewers responded to "Emergo" by bombarding the skeleton with popcorn and empty soda bottles.
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Editorial Reviews

All Movie Guide - Fred Beldin
Cinema showman William Castle's best films are imbued with an infectious sense of mischief that overcomes deficiencies, and House on Haunted Hill is no exception. An excellent vehicle for star Vincent Price and one of Castle's most beloved concoctions, this lightweight ghost story is lots of fun even without the director's trademark theater gimmicks. Price is in prime form, alternating between pure ham and quiet subtlety, able to express a macabre notion simply by arching an eyebrow. Co-star Elisha Cook Jr. has only one task here, to look shell-shocked and mutter predictions of doom, and he performs it with twitchy, sweaty aplomb. The rest of the cast is serviceable, with only ingenue Carolyn Craig standing out via her shrill shrieks and stilted line readings. Castle directs House on Haunted Hill to be spooky rather than frightening, with floating skeletons and flickering candlelight, but a few ghastly images of acid baths and hanged women slide in for the E.C. Comics crowd. Campy and creepy in equal measures, House on Haunted Hill deserves its status as a horror classic.
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Product Details

  • Release Date: 7/31/2001
  • UPC: 785604102038
  • Original Release: 1958

    • Rating:

  • Source: TROMA
  • Format: VHS

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits
Vincent Price Frederick Loren
Carol Ohmart Annabelle Loren
Richard Long Lance Schroeder
Alan Marshal Dr. David Trent
Carolyn Craig Nora Manning
Elisha Cook Jr. Watson Pritchard
Julie Mitchum Ruth Badgers
Leona Anderson Mrs. Slykes
Howard Hoffman Jonas
Technical Credits
William Castle Director, Producer
Rosemary Horvath Director
Von Dexter Score Composer
Carl Guthrie Cinematographer
Roy Livingston Editor
Dave Milton Art Director
Robb White Screenwriter
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Customer Reviews

Average Rating 5
( 8 )
Rating Distribution

5 Star

(6)

4 Star

(2)

3 Star

(0)

2 Star

(0)

1 Star

(0)

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Sort by: Showing all of 8 Customer Reviews

  • Posted October 1, 2010

    Great film, but 50th edition is Not the best version of the film

    Love the film, but the 50th edition is Very dissapointing. Some of the special features look like they were quickly filmed with a camcorder. It's a very messy presentation. This classic film deserves better! It claims it's a "remastered" version of the film, but I didn't notice any difference in quality than other versions I've seen. You'd think for a 50th anniversary edition it would include choices of black and white, color, widescreen and full screen, but it only has black and white widescreen.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    And then they'll come for you !!

    Well, movies have sure changed over the years. However, reminiscing was fun remembering the scary lady just floating along in the basement. A pretty good plot and for anyone who hasn't seen it yet, you'll get a kick out of it if you like old fashioned scary movies. Get the popcorn ready....

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    scary stuff

    this has a lot of chills down your spine and jump out at you scares. also, it has a very spooky opening. and of course, vincent price's haunting, brooding voice. so pick this one up, if you like scary haunted house films. this one didn't even need that emergo gimmick, its scary without it. oh yeah, and forget the remake.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Scary Movie

    A scary movie to see and to get scare.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Find out More About William Castle

    This is camp classic horror at it's very best. If you liked this movie, and want to find out more about the producer/director of the original, check out Scare Tactic - The Life and Films of William Castle. A book available through barnes and noble.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted November 3, 2008

    No text was provided for this review.

  • Anonymous

    Posted January 22, 2010

    No text was provided for this review.

  • Anonymous

    Posted July 10, 2010

    No text was provided for this review.

Sort by: Showing all of 8 Customer Reviews