House On Haunted Hill
(PG, 1:14:58, Released 1959)
| Genres: | Drama, Horror, Classics |
| Release Date: | Feb 17, 1959 |
| DVD Release Date: | Oct 26, 1999 |
| Starring: | Vincent Price, Carol Ohmart, Richard Long, Alan Marshal, Carolyn Craig, Elisha Cook Jr., Julie Mitchum, Leona Anderson, Howard Hoffman |
| Directed by: | William Castle, William Malone |
| Synopsis: | 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. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi |
| Full movie details |
House On Haunted Hill provided by Hulu.com
Refresh
It sounds awfully quiet in here... Be the first to say something!
My Rating:
| All of Flixster: | (7057) |
My Friends' Reviews
Log in to see your friends' reviews.
Other Top Reviews
-
May 26, 2012
The film gets way too convoluted for it's own good at the end, but it remains a rather timeless campy horror flick. The cast gives generally serviceable performances but Vincent Price inevitably steals the show.
-
fb1664868775October 27, 2011A perfect piece of midnight movie madness. This campy horror flick lead by a sinister Vincent Price won't fail to entertain.
-
fb729949618October 2, 2011To this day, this film still has what it takes to keep you on edge. Classic.
-
August 4, 2011
Watson Pritchard: There's been a murder almost everyplace in this house!
"See it with somebody with warm hands"
If I remember correctly, House on Haunted Hill was the first "horror" movie I ever saw when I was probably six. Even then this movie didn't scare me. The movie is hilarious in that it was once considered scary. Despite not being scary, it's still a really cool movie. It has a very simple premise. A rich man invites strangers to a haunted house with the promise of $10,000 if they make it through the night.
What really makes this movie is Vincent Price. Him and Carol Ohmart were in fact the only ones to give good performances in the film. Everyone else was laughable. But the exchanges between Vincent and Carol are awesome. They play an unhappy married couple who in fact hate each other. They both want the other dead, in fact.
The movie has a crazy amount of gimmicks that were popular among the horror films of the time. None of them really stand out anymore as crazy or "shocking."
When it comes down to it this and the original are pretty much the same, in that, they are only worth watching for a cool lead performance. In the remake, Geoffrey Rush gives a very Vincent Price performance. He even sports the mustache. I will say that House on Haunted Hill does boast an extremely cool beginning and a pretty cool ending. The middle gets a little slow, but the runtime helps a lot. -
November 17, 2010
Castle sure knows how to make super cheesy horror movies, and this is one of them. The movie has some good actors like Price, who just look like they're having fun with the movie, and the movie is fun, but the ending is disappointing. Overall, pretty good, though.
-
July 6, 2009
Years ago I bought a collection of old horror dvd's for a couple of dollars from Best Buy. I've watch only one or two out of 50, but the other night I decided to watch House on Haunted Hill. Of course I've seen the more recent version, but surprisingly, this one frightened me much more. It was quite entertaining and although the special effects weren't as good, it had a different kind of scary. Definitely worth a watch if you're into horror movies like me.
-
September 25, 2008
A very dated movie, but still fun and scary.
-
January 24, 2008
An impressive-looking and casted late-50's horror flick. It's got a great murder mystery and is filled with devious atmosphere. Some of the characters are over-the-top, but Vincent Price is superb as the wicked haunted house host. There are some nice pay-offs, but it seems to end too quickly. See the richly detailed colorized version if you can get your hands on it.
-
July 23, 2007
I caught this on TV a few years ago. Unfortunately the "scares" in this are more likely to make you laugh. Vincent Price does give a great performance though.
-
November 23, 2010
The audience is kept on edge early on with Vincent Price and Carol Ohmart as Frederick and Annabelle Loren both acting suspiciously. Pretty ridiculous the way people go wandering around the "haunted" house alone when they agree that is not smart. Strange that this house has a vat of acid in the floor of the basement as well. I liked the effect of Annabelle's ghost appearing to the other young woman at her window. And the effect of the skeleton walking around was enjoyable. The convoluted plot left me unimpressed overall and wondering about the point of it all.
-
October 21, 2011
8.7/10
I had no idea that the concepts of Camp had originated from so far back in cinematic time, but "House on Haunted Hill" proves, furthermore, that such things existed even way back in the good old 50's. It was directed by William Castle; who got his reputation for making cheesy but entertaining and well-executed camp classics such as this. He also had an eye for the atmospheric, the genuinely creepy, and the morbidly humorous; which I kind of admire. Plenty of filmmakers, even today, are reminiscent of people such as Castle; but none come quite close to mastering the artistry that is being able to craft pure fun. Castle was the kind of guy who understood that people need fun in their lives; be it through cinema, life experiences, or whatever else existence itself has in store for us all. And if fun itself is a high art, then "House on Haunted Hill" is a masterpiece, a true classic, and something to remember for years to come. It's a film so joyously over-the-top and ghoulish that I might revisit it a few times just to have the experience all over again, since it becomes apparent, over time, that it's less of a film and more of a visit to that titular house, which as the title suggest, is indeed on a hill; but about it being haunted, who knows?
What's not to like? Here's a film with an intriguing premise, some crazy and hilarious new gimmicks (which were short-lived, but at least the film invented...SOMETHING), and a leading role played by the legendary (and personal favorite) Vincent Price. It was already an appealing and seemingly worthwhile package, but this film actually surprised me in how good it was. I believe there is a side of cinema that is existent just to entertain ("Demons"), and then there's the significantly more...popular side, which most good films rest on. "House on Haunted Hill" deserves its reputation as a classic in horror cinema because it entertains through an intelligent, understanding approach to its subjects as well as the performances of its stars. I was quite charmed.
Five people are chosen at random and invited to stay overnight at a rich man's (Price) mansion. They arrive on time and expect the unexpected, as they have been told that the house is haunted by ghosts of the deceased. What the home-owner does not tell his guests is the fact that he shall lock the doors at midnight; and to get the large sum of money that each person has been promised (as they most certainly have), they must all survive through the madness and mayhem that is about to ensue. A few of the attendees start seeing ghosts; and one tells ghastly stories of the home's haunted history. This begins the night that we are about to witness; a night to remember, a night difficult to forget. All-in-all, it's also a pleasant and appropriately ghastly one; filled with surprises, scares, and plenty of unexpected laughs.
Of course, a good number of those laughs come from Price himself; a funny, charming, unique man of the genre. He brings often times snappy, humorous, and brilliant dialogue into a film that normally wouldn't have any of such a thing. That aside, "House on Haunted Hill" remains a standard, appropriately clichéd, but old-fashioned haunted house movie; and it's perfectly fine as it is.
I believe that sophistication and a deeper "meaning" would have ruined my movie-watching experience all-together. Sometimes, I complain when a horror movie lacks depth; and sometimes I'm fine with a focus for visual images and atmosphere. This film has such a focus; and it's admirable from beginning-to-end. Most of the audience will probably enjoy it; and die-hard genre fans might even love it. "House on Haunted Hill" has a seductive, uncanny, unfailing ability to capture our hearts through moments of humor and ghastly going-ons. One of my favorite scenes is the finale; where Price reveals both sides of the con. It's a pure B-movie conclusion; and I adored it.
The fact that it's a haunted house movie, and a good one at that, should tell you all you need to know about Castle's flick when going in. I'd say it's for most people; a very enjoyable, well-acted, and appropriately cheesy film that accomplishes just about all that it intends to, but alas, there is some seriously impressive work here; which elevates it to a personal genre favorite from just another solid haunted house film. "House on Haunted Hill" is delightfully diabolical and ghoulishly good; so gimmicky, so corny, yet so addicting. It's nice, once in a while, to have a horror movie that has its arms open; ready to be loved. Price is a presence that allows such a thing; and what his charm alone makes him a screen legend. There was nobody quite like him, and on his better days, he was able to take good films and make them great. Here's an excellent example of what I call the "Price Transformation". Now onwards to see more of these films. I have been intrigued. -
fb208103125December 28, 2011"House On Haunted Hill" is a legendary horror film that is considered more a fun and campy horror flick that is more fun and atmospheric then genuinely scary. While I completely agree with the above, I found the film a little slow but ultimately very fun viewing. Vincent Price plays the sinister Mr. Loren (He always plays these kind of roles brilliantly) and the scenes with him and Carol Ohmart as Mrs. Loren are wonderful together. The rest of the characters are just doing the rounds and some of the screams and lack of survival skills of the characters are laughably bad. This is definitely one of the best of the Classic Horrors and is fun to watch all these years later. Watch it at night time to suit the mood. The lack of color really adds to the films suspense and atmosphere and makes it a delight to watch. As a side note, when the film was originally shown theatrically the Director William Castle employeed the use of a glowing skeleton to pop out and float over the audience as the skeleton pops out during the movie. After a while it was stopped due to children who viewed the film two or three times or found out from their buddies waited and then fired slingshots at the floating skeleton.
-
October 23, 2010
A William Castle classic with a scaringly great performance by Vincent Price a great scare fest that is world's better than the 1999 remake. A must Halloween watch.
-
fb100000185301014April 7, 2012Castle is the master of horror, I love the clever use of props in this film, very frightening. The camera shots were great and I love the script. A must see horror film classic
-
June 8, 2011
"The House on Haunted Hill" is a cheesy and corny movie but it is very entertaining and you will get a few good laughs here and there and some scenes are frightening. Characters are fun and nice but a bit overacted.
The film itself is slightly overrated, but still an enjoyable little cult item. -
June 17, 2010
Gotta admit, I preferred the remake. Perhaps it was due to the budget and age but this film just seemed so very amateur. It was a nice idea and Price was fabulous. Yet it's scenes like the acid pit where - not only is there an acid pit in the house (?), but she slooowlly walks back towards it. And hell knows how she didn't see the strings on that skeleton. Aside from the silly CGI, the remake is superior. Shame.
-
September 13, 2009
This is much better than the remake. Obviously the effects and such are nothing compared to what they can do today, but that's what makes it good. It's creepy and sinister. Enjoyable!
-
August 26, 2009
Ah, the house of horrors ride in carnivals and amusement parks. Sit in the cart, lean back, and the ride commences. It progresses slowly at first, with atmospheric sounds and the cover of darkness, followed by subsequent stops: some intended to make you jump, some intended to make you laugh, most intended to make you do both. At the end of the ride, you'll come out happy, your girlfriend in your arm, a goofy smile across both of your faces. Sure the cart itself is rickety and well worn, some of the drapes are falling, some of the gears exposed. It's a ride that has ben taken by thousands and thousands and thousands of others before you. That's part of the fun though, isn't it? It's part of the experience.
William Castle, known as theking of the gimmic and shlockmeister extraordinarie, was also a very underrated director. He made films like amusement park rides. His films were innocent, naive even, and sought to, above all else, make the audience have a good time, for viewers to walk out of the screening with a big, goofy smile on their faces. They were events, not films, but they were so good natured that they managed to tap into the innocence of the previous decade while ignoring the burgeoning cynicism of their current ones.
The House on Haunted Hill does not make a lick of sense, nor is it meant to. Plotholes you say? But there's no real plot to begin with! The movie is, in essence a very atmospheric carnival show: a series of tingling stops loosely strung together around a flimsy plot. It's fun, it's funny, it's atmospheric and sometimes even creepy. The story is merely the means to an end: complete entertainment.
Vincent Price is in top form as the charming, slimy, sarcastic millionaire. Everyone else is serviceable at worst, effective at best. Castle's direction does what it sets out to do, and does it well. He may have been as gimmicky, shlocky or trashy as people accused him of being, as if those are negative attributes, but a hack he was not.
the film is incredibly enjoyable as much more than a piece of notalgia (even for those of us who were born not long before Vincent Price died) if one is willing to go to the film, rather than waiting for it to come. Few films are as joyous, intoxicating and just plain FUN as this. -
May 6, 2008
I like Vincent Price a lot in this but everything else is just okay.
-
August 10, 2007
I always liked this as a kid. Very mild by today's standard. Vincent Price was the man.
-
November 27, 2011
My familiarity with the 1999 "remake" gave me a certain expectation... which was completely inaccurate! The only similarity to this original is the idea of a rich guy offering a large amount of money to a group of people to spend a night in a haunted place. After the introductory moments, the film is completely different, so be prepared if you've seen the 1999 version. That being said, "House On Haunted Hill" is a slow-moving thriller with a few classic twists. While it does not offer any overly-horrific imagery or frightening moments, it'll keep you on edge waiting to hear the solution to the mystery. The story is easy to follow and would be a good starter scary movie for a child, except that it does not have enough action and could lose your attention. It's enjoyable to see Vincent Price in any role and Carol Ohmart offers the most impresive performance, but overall this film fell short of my expectations. If you're unsure whether you'd like , give it a shot - it's only 75 minutes long!
-
October 25, 2011
The best Saturday-night horror movie that keeps its style.
PLOT:The wife (Carol Ohmart) of millionaire, Frederick Loren (Vincent Price), plans to throw a haunted house party in a house where there were several bizarre murders, but her husband invites random people who don't even know each other and tells them whoever can stay the night in the house and make it out alive will win $10,000. Thye get greedy and cocky and think things are just a joke, but a guest who's had a bad previous experience with the house tells them about the murders and strange places in the house, including an old, still-dripping blood stain that marks its next victim and a boiling pit of acid. Strange things start to happen in the house, and it results in insanity, paranoia and-guess what-more murderers. It's a good plot to start writing on, and it's executed nearly perfect.
ACTING:Brilliant. I could sense the fear in each character. I could feel their suspense and slight insanity. The shiners were Price and Ohmart, Carolyn Craig as Nora, and the experienced victim as forementioned above.
SCORE:Mostly horror jump score and suspenseful theatre score, but it pans out pretty good with the movie.
EFFECTS:There are barely any effects, but the ones that were in here are very top-notch for the time being, especially the make-up effects.
OTHER CONTENT:This is how it's done! This should be considered one of the best horrors of the 60s. It's scary, suspenseful, dramatic, fun, and overall one of the earliest examples of true camp. that's the only real reason I didn't give this movie a full rating: it wasn't meant to be that good. It benefits from the same effect of Machete. I also didn't think it was the scariest the subject could've been, but I have to remember that this was the 60's, so it's excusable. The script and screenplay were pretty well written too.
OVERALL, an awesome horror movie with a nearly perfectly executed plot, brilliant acting, basic score, top-notch effects for its time, and all the right keys to a good horror-including camp. -
April 25, 2011
not to bad for bn in old times, it has more drama tht the last one so is good, i like the effects like i said not to bad for 50's
-
March 11, 2011
This film is iconic and truly deserving of the legendary status. It's quite amazing and interesting, and it's one of the best of the classic horror films of all time.
-
March 5, 2011
In 1959, William Castle struck gold with this schlocky, yet very entertaining and impressive, haunted house movie. In the process, he also introduced a young Shawn to the world of horror and the amazing talents of Vincent Price. And for that, I will forever be indebted to William Castle and his amazing talent. House On Haunted Hill was Castle's 42nd film and first collaboration with Vincent Price, which proved to be a good pairing as this was arguably each of their most popular movies. Though they would work together only one more time, their paired talents would forever be etched into the history of horror cinema. Vincent Price stars as Frederick Loren, a self-made millionaire who is throwing his 4th wife, a fancy birthday party. What his lovely wife Annabelle (Carol Ohmart), doesn't know, is that Frederick has invited a selection of random people, not their friends. Some work for Frederick, others are just know of him, however none of the know why they've been invited to the party, they only know that if they spend the entire night, they will each be given $10,000. From there, the plot starts to take lots and lots of twists and turns as secrets are revealed and pacts are made. To make matters worse, Watson Pritchard (Elisha Cook Jr), the man who owns the house, claims it is genuinely haunted by those who have been killed there before. The claims do nothing but nearly frighten to death poor Nora Manning (Carolyn Craig) and make the rest of the guests paranoid and untrusting. Castle successfully creates an incredibly creepy atmosphere within the house, so much that the house becomes an extra equally important character. Screenwriter, Robb White, concocted a truly terrifying tale of paranoia and imprisonment. The characters all soon realize that once the doors are locked for the night by the creepy caretakers, there is no way of getting out. Once the fear takes over, anything and everything can and will happen. Throw in a walking skeleton and the fact that Frederick has given each of the guests a .45 (for their own personal protection, of course), its hard saying who will be left when morning comes. When it came time for the film to be released into theaters, Mr. Castle had a new trick up his sleeve. Back in 1959, films weren't released nationwide like they are now. They were sort of on tour, much like bands and pro wrestling. They might have made 10-20 prints of the film and sent them out to a town on the east coast, they'd play there for 1-2 weeks, then move on down the road to the next town. With House On The Haunted Hill, William would "tour" with the film and set up an elaborate gimmick called "Emergo," where a skeleton, just like the one in the film, would appear above the screen and shoot out towards the crowd, scaring the daylights out of them! He'd travel with the film and set this up at every theater he could, just to add something special to an already special film. Now that's what I call showmanship! He did this for several more of his low-budget schlocky films through-out his famous career, upping his theatrics a little more with each film. Though this was Vincent Price's 8th horror film, House On Haunted Hill cemented Price as one of horror's most elegant and charismatic. He would go on to enjoy an incredibly illustrious career in, not only horror, but cinema in general, radio, theater and TV. Along the way, he also become one of my favorite actors of all-time. It doesn't matter what I see him in, he always commands my attention. And that's just what House On Haunted Hill has done, from every aspect of the film, the lighting, the sound, the camera movements, the acting, the story and the direction, everything appealed to my senses. Alfred Hitchcock has said that House On Haunted Hill is one of his favorite films and one year after its release, he tried to emulate it by making a little movie called Psycho! House On Haunted Hill started my obsession with horror movies and haunted houses and instantly became one of my favorite movies of all-time. And trust me, that is no easy feat!
