James Whale's 1932 masterpiece is one of the most enjoyable films of its kind ever made; even when it's terrible it's still glorious. "The Old Dark House" set the bar for all spooky old house movies, (even if it wasn't the first), and it's never been surpassed, (there was a dreadful remake in 1963 which should be avoided). It was based on J. B. Priestley's novel "Benighted" and takes place over the course of one stormy night when a group of travellers, (Raymond Massey, Gloria Stuart, Melvyn Douglas Charles Laughton and Lilian Bond), are stranded in the crumbling old house of the title with its very weird inhabitants, the Femms, (Ernest Thesiger, Eva Moore, Brember Wills and their 102 year old father played by Elspeth Dudgeon, but credited as John Dudgeon, as well as their mute brute of a butler played by Boris Karloff, sans the Boris in the credits). The Femms are all mad as hatters and they are superbly played; once seen, and heard, they are unlikely to be forgotten. On the other hand, both Massey and Douglas are very hammy indeed, though Laughton shows all the promise of a great actor in an early role. It's also superbly designed and photographed and although clocking in at only 72 minutes it was obviously a prestige production following hot on the heels of "Frankenstein". This old, dark house may creak in places but it has also stood the test of time and, newly restored, looks as good today as when it was first released.
Review of The Old Dark House
