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House on Haunted Hill is so unusual, so brilliant and so classic that I don't have much left to say about this film that you don't already know, if you know anything at all. The film follows the story of five individual people, none of which have met before, who are all invited by millionaire Frederick Loren (Vincent Price) to stay in a haunted mansion for just one night. If they manage to stay the night without either dying or bailing then they will receive a cash reward of $10,000. It seems simple enough, but that is until the ghoulish creatures begin to reveal themselves.
House on Haunted Hill's dating may make it appear laughable, but it's still a very funky horror movie. The film is fun and original, using a plot that's not necessarily ludicrous, but could make for a very interesting movie. Does the plot work? Absolutely. House on Haunted Hill's dated effects can be laughable, as is some of the make-up and costuming, but it can also be rather malevolent when it wants to be. Touched up with sprinkles of black comedy, plenty of mystery and some truly spine chilling scenes, this film can be chewed up and swallowed rather easily. It's slow pace will undoubtably cause viewers to switch the film off, but I implore that they don't. After all, if you can't sit through a mere hour and fifteen minutes of footage, no matter how much you aren't enjoying it, then either the film is just not in the least bit decent (which this isn't) or you're a slack cinephile.
With plenty of twists and turns, as well as a hesitantly sinister performance by Vincent Price, House on Haunted Hill rarely fails to entertain. I am not well-acquainted with Vincent Price's filmography, I'm not going to lie. I believe that I've only seen one or two other films that he's in, aside from Edward Scissorhands that is. His character in this is full of mystery, intrigue and dark humour that works really well. He was the perfect casting for this character, and he easily gives the best performance out of the whole cast.
It's got its visuals and atmosphere, but the film just isn't all that creepy. Perhaps back in the 50s this film would have petrified audiences, I honestly don't know, but to me, it wasn't scary. It's got the classic opening and closing door and the creepy old lady who appears and re-appears, but they just aren't scary enough. It's got the perfect setting and it uses this setting to its advantage, but not to create the greatest scares. I honestly can't tell what vibe this film was going for. It can appear comedic, but then goes on to appear dark, gloomy and serious. It's both, I guess, but neither are used to their full extent.
To sum up, House on Haunted Hill can be dated, laughable and not all that creepy, but with a hesitantly sinister performance by Vincent Price, plenty of atmosphere and mildly disturbing visuals, the film manages to entertain.
4 Stars
House on Haunted Hill's dating may make it appear laughable, but it's still a very funky horror movie. The film is fun and original, using a plot that's not necessarily ludicrous, but could make for a very interesting movie. Does the plot work? Absolutely. House on Haunted Hill's dated effects can be laughable, as is some of the make-up and costuming, but it can also be rather malevolent when it wants to be. Touched up with sprinkles of black comedy, plenty of mystery and some truly spine chilling scenes, this film can be chewed up and swallowed rather easily. It's slow pace will undoubtably cause viewers to switch the film off, but I implore that they don't. After all, if you can't sit through a mere hour and fifteen minutes of footage, no matter how much you aren't enjoying it, then either the film is just not in the least bit decent (which this isn't) or you're a slack cinephile.
With plenty of twists and turns, as well as a hesitantly sinister performance by Vincent Price, House on Haunted Hill rarely fails to entertain. I am not well-acquainted with Vincent Price's filmography, I'm not going to lie. I believe that I've only seen one or two other films that he's in, aside from Edward Scissorhands that is. His character in this is full of mystery, intrigue and dark humour that works really well. He was the perfect casting for this character, and he easily gives the best performance out of the whole cast.
It's got its visuals and atmosphere, but the film just isn't all that creepy. Perhaps back in the 50s this film would have petrified audiences, I honestly don't know, but to me, it wasn't scary. It's got the classic opening and closing door and the creepy old lady who appears and re-appears, but they just aren't scary enough. It's got the perfect setting and it uses this setting to its advantage, but not to create the greatest scares. I honestly can't tell what vibe this film was going for. It can appear comedic, but then goes on to appear dark, gloomy and serious. It's both, I guess, but neither are used to their full extent.
To sum up, House on Haunted Hill can be dated, laughable and not all that creepy, but with a hesitantly sinister performance by Vincent Price, plenty of atmosphere and mildly disturbing visuals, the film manages to entertain.
4 Stars
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