“House on Haunted Hill” is a classic film and, while it won’t come close to scaring a modern viewer, the aesthetics of early horror are charming to behold.
Released in 1959 (and poorly remade in 1999), the movie stars the legendary Vincent Price as Frederick Loren; an eccentric millionaire who challenges a group of partygoers to stay the night in a haunted house. There’s no electricity, no phones, and no one to help within miles. The only door locks like a vault. Survive the night, and they each receive $10,000, which converts to $100,000 in 2022. I’d sign up for the $10K.
Turn around Nora!
The name Vincent Price is synonymous with horror. He goes on the Mt. Rushmore with Rod Serling, Alfred Hitchcock, and Elvira. Price had starring roles in a host of classic-era horror movies and, after witnessing him here, I’ll be checking out his filmography going forward.
Vincent Price rules
Frederick Loren and his fourth wife, Annabelle (Carol Ohmart) play hosts. The pair have an incredibly hysterical rapport with each other. They argue in poetic prose. From their opening scene together, we the viewer can decipher the history. She only married him for his money. He only married her for her looks. Each secretly despises the other, and they both know it. “Do you remember the fun we had when you poisoned me?” Frederick asks with a wry smile. “Something you ate, the doctor said.” Annabelle replies to which Frederick quickly counters “Yes, arsenic on the rocks.” Together, Price and Ohmart are a trip to watch.
Skeletons are scary
The five guests locked in for the night are an array of typical fifties characters. Richard Long plays Lance Schroeder, a test pilot and alpha male who I recognized from ‘The Twilight Zone.’ Carolyn Craig plays Nora Manning, the starlet who screams so well she makes Jamie Lee take note. Alan Marshal, Elisha Cook Jr, and Julie Mitchum round out the guests. Leona Anderson and Howard Hoffman play the creepy caretakers of the haunted estate.
75 minutes
There are a few jump scare moments, hampered of course by the corny score. The effects are laughable but I can’t escape the thought that this was intentional. Price delivers such an over-the-top performance it makes me think the film is purposely not trying to be serious. This film is slow at a mere 75 minutes (10 of which is the intro). Price’s performance alone makes it tolerable.
“House on Haunted Hill” is a classic. It won’t have you burying your face under the covers. It’s available for anyone to watch, and horror fans should. If not for the early cinema than for the performance of a superstar. Vincent Price is pure fun.
“House on Haunted Hill” is in the public domain and can be watched anywhere.
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