Review of House on Haunted Hill (1959) by Lee M — 23 Oct 2018

An eccentric millionaire invites five strangers to a haunted house with each receiving $10,000 if they last the night.

This is a William Castle film so you know it's going to be genius. And it doesn't disappoint. I love the house with it's sliding doors, acid bath and shadow play. Vincent Price in the lead is once again perfect casting with his trademark wryness, camp and sarcasm being demonstrated in spades. There also seems to be more understatement and, dare I say, nuance in this role.

The film itself looks amazing. I wish director Castle would get the proper adoration and respect for his films and legacy. The gimmicks associated with his films seem to overshadow the actual films themselves. This is a shame. I honestly thing Castle was an auteur who seriously influenced the genre of horror for the better. The House on Haunted Hill influenced Hitchcock when he was making Psycho apparently. I'm wondering if Clouzot's Les Diaboliques influenced Castle's film with the numerous double-crossings and red herrings that keep the audience guessing until the very last frame.

Emergo was the gimmick Castle used for this film. During a scene concerning a skeleton an actual skeleton on a pulley would be flown over the startled audience. Genius.

This film is currently (and inexplicably) in the public domain. I look forward to a really great Blu-ray release and transfer. The film's beauty is a gem yet to be seen in all it's glory. .