House on Haunted Hill
Directed by William Castle
Written by Robb White
1959/USA
William Castle Productions
First viewing/Netflix rental
[box] Annabelle Loren: And you call this a party?
Frederick Loren: Could be.[/box]
I can’t believe I lived this long without seeing the quintessential Vincent Price performance! It was well worth waiting for.
Millionaire Frederick Loren (Price) offers seven strangers $10,000 apiece if they can stay until morning in a haunted house. After midnight they will have no choice as they will be locked into the impregnable fortress. He claims the “party” was his wife Annabelle’s idea, though she refuses to participate at first. Before midnight, a number of shocking events have the guests ready to flee but they are not quick enough.
Then things get even spookier. To add to the fun, Loring passes out guns to each of the participants for “self-defense”. With Elijah Cook Jr. as the owner of the house.
This movie is 110% fun! Price is at his snide, menacing best with his tongue planted firmly in his cheek at all times. The scares are frightening enough to make a girl clutch her date’s hand but not enough that you’ll want to close your eyes. The plot falls apart after about 30 seconds of scrutiny but we’re not watching for that, are we? Recommended.
Trailer
