House of Usher
Directed by Roger Corman
Written by Richard Matheson based on “The Fall of the House of Usher” by Edgar Allan Poe
1960/USA
Alta Vista Productions
First viewing/Amazon Instant
[box] Philip Winthrop: Is there no end to your horrors?
Roderick Usher: No. None whatever.[/box]
The films Roger Corman directed himself tend to be the best of those he produced. This one is no exception and benefits from the bucks the old skinflint spent on sets, costumes, color and Cinemascope.
The plot is loosely based on Poe’s story. Young Philip Winthrop goes to visit his fiancee Madeline Usher in her creepy crumbling old mansion. He is greeted by her brother Roderick (Vincent Price) who is not pleased with the romance and very anxious to get Philip out of the house. Roderick suffers from the curse of the Ushers, ultra-sensitivity to all sensory stimulation.
Philip is not to be deterred and Madeline attempts to stand up to her brother. One thing leads to another and burial alive becomes a major plot point.
This is one of Price’s better performances. The story is not entirely gripping but the special effects are fun to watch.
House of Usher was listed on the National Film Registry in 2005.
Trailer
