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Horror in Black and White: ‘House on Haunted Hill’ (1959)

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House on Haunted HIll

Welcome back to Horror in Black and White! We had so much fun last week with William Castle’s Strait-Jacket, that I decided we just had to move onto the first of two collaborations between the famed director and Vincent Price: House on Haunted Hill!

Released in January, 1959, House on Haunted Hill starred Vincent Price as Frederick Loren, a man with a lot of money and fierce dislike of his (fourth) wife, Annabelle (Carol Ohmart).

The Lorens have rented out “the only really haunted house in the world” for a very special haunted house party with a carefully curated guest list who arrive in funeral cars following a hearse in procession to the House on Haunted Hill.

Haunted Hill
Vincent Price and Carol Ohmart were dynamite in the film!

As the night progresses, the tension mounts and murder enuses…or does it? With a $10,000 prize on the line for staying the night, however, who wouldn’t try?

For those of you wondering, $10,000 in 1959 would be equal to about $86,000 today.

Much better than it ever should have been, the film had a bit of a casting coup when Castle managed to snag Price for his picture.

A story is told, apocryphally, that Castle met up with Price after he had just been passed over for a role. Castle saw his opportunity, explained what he was working on, and Price agreed to do Haunted Hill and The Tingler, which released later that same year.

Ohmart, as it turned out, was the perfect sparring partner for Price on screen. The two had an incredible chemistry, and her whiskey-voiced threats perfectly matched Price’s suave delivery.

Price and Ohmart aren’t the only standouts in this cast, however.

Julie Mitchum, older sister of Robert Mitchum, is fantastic as Ruth Bridgers. Her wry wit shines in every line, and even in tense moments, there’s a twinkle in her eye as though she’s having the time of her life.

Sadly, it was her final appearance on screen. She left the business after the film, though the two events were apparently unrelated.

House on Haunted Hill Julie Mitchum
House on Haunted Hill was Julie Mitchum’s final film.

Elisha Cook, Jr. also shines as the neurotic drunk, Watson Pritchard who owns the house, and who had lost more than a few family members to its darkness.

House on Haunted Hill really was one of Castle’s better projects mostly because he takes the time to develop mood and atmosphere in ways that were rare to the king of gimmicks, though he had to throw one or two in for good measure.

Who could ever forget Leona Anderson as the weirdo maid, Mrs. Slydes (get it?!) seemingly floating in and out of scenes, her face frozen in a grotesque mask? Or how about that walking Skeleton, who incidentally was listed in the credits as playing Himself!

Skeleton House on Haunted Hill
This Skeleton got his own credit in House on Haunted Hill. I wonder if he got a SAG card for it?

Castle also set his audience up for terror with the opening scream and sound effects. It might not seem like much now, but in 1959, it terrified audiences and primed them for the film he had in store. It also started a craze for spooky sound effects records which people bought for their own haunted parties.

This is one of those films where the score is absolutely on point thanks to composer Von Dexter. From layered strings to wailing theremin, this score had it all, and it perfectly complements the action on screen.

House on Haunted Hill became one of Allied Artists hottest properties upon its release. The combined power of Price and Castle were box office gold, and it remains a cult classic to this day.

Oddly, however, the film fell into the public domain and there it has remained. which has worked for fans of the film. It is available on numerous streaming services for free!

If you’ve never seen this black and white classic, you’re definitely overdue, and if you have, it’s time you saw it again!

Check out the trailer below and join us again next week for another edition of Horror in Black and White!

Related: Horror in Black and White: Strait-Jacket (1964)

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New Poster Reveal For Nicolas Cage’s Survival Creature Feature ‘Arcadian’ [Trailer]

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Nicolas Cage Arcadian

In the latest cinematic venture featuring Nicolas Cage, Arcadian emerges as a compelling creature feature, teeming with suspense, horror, and emotional depth. RLJE Films has recently released a series of new images and a captivating poster, offering audiences a glimpse into the eerie and thrilling world of “Arcadian”. Scheduled to hit theaters on April 12, 2024, the film will later be available on Shudder and AMC+, ensuring a wide audience can experience its gripping narrative.

Arcadian Movie Trailer

The Motion Picture Association (MPA) has given this film an “R” rating for its “bloody images,” hinting at the visceral and intense experience awaiting viewers. The film draws inspiration from acclaimed horror benchmarks like “A Quiet Place,” weaving a post-apocalyptic tale of a father and his two sons navigating a desolate world. Following a catastrophic event that depopulates the planet, the family faces the dual challenge of surviving their dystopian environment and eluding mysterious nocturnal creatures.

Joining Nicolas Cage in this harrowing journey are Jaeden Martell, known for his role in “IT” (2017), Maxwell Jenkins from “Lost in Space,” and Sadie Soverall, featured in “Fate: The Winx Saga.” Directed by Ben Brewer (“The Trust”) and penned by Mike Nilon (“Braven”), “Arcadian” promises a unique blend of poignant storytelling and electrifying survival horror.

Maxwell Jenkins, Nicolas Cage, and Jaeden Martell 

Critics have already begun to praise “Arcadian” for its imaginative monster designs and exhilarating action sequences, with one review from Bloody Disgusting highlighting the film’s balance between emotional coming-of-age elements and heart-pounding horror. Despite sharing thematic elements with similar genre films, “Arcadian” sets itself apart through its creative approach and action-driven plot, promising a cinematic experience filled with mystery, suspense, and relentless thrills.

Arcadian Official Movie Poster

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‘Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 3’ Is a Go with Enhanced Budget and New Characters

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Winnie the Pooh 3

Wow, they’re churning things out fast! The upcoming sequel “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 3” is officially moving forward, promising an expanded narrative with a larger budget and the introduction of beloved characters from A.A. Milne’s original tales. As confirmed by Variety, the third installment in the horror franchise will welcome Rabbit, the heffalumps, and the woozles into its dark and twisted narrative.

This sequel is a part of an ambitious cinematic universe that reimagines children’s stories as horror tales. Alongside “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey” and its first sequel, the universe includes films such as “Peter Pan’s Neverland Nightmare”, “Bambi: The Reckoning,” and “Pinocchio Unstrung”. These movies are set to converge in the crossover event “Poohniverse: Monsters Assemble,” slated for a 2025 release.

Winnie the Pooh Poohniverse

The creation of these films was made possible when A.A. Milne’s 1926 children’s book “Winnie-the-Pooh” entered the public domain last year, allowing filmmakers to explore these cherished characters in unprecedented ways. Director Rhys Frake-Waterfield and producer Scott Jeffrey Chambers, of Jagged Edge Productions, have led the charge in this innovative endeavor.

The inclusion of Rabbit, heffalumps, and woozles in the upcoming sequel introduces a new layer to the franchise. In Milne’s original stories, heffalumps are imagined creatures resembling elephants, while woozles are known for their weasel-like characteristics and a penchant for stealing honey. Their roles in the narrative remain to be seen, but their addition promises to enrich the horror universe with deeper connections to the source material.

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How to Watch ‘Late Night with the Devil’ from Home: Dates and Platforms

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Late Night With The Devil

For fans eager to dive into one of this year’s most talked-about horror films from the comfort of their own home, “Late Night with the Devil” will be available for streaming exclusively on Shudder starting April 19, 2024. This announcement has been highly anticipated following the film’s successful theatrical release by IFC Films, which saw it earning rave reviews and a record-breaking opening weekend for the distributor.

“Late Night with the Devil” emerges as a standout horror film, captivating audiences and critics alike, with Stephen King himself offering high praise for the 1977-set film. Starring David Dastmalchian, the movie unfolds on Halloween night during a live late-night talk show broadcast that disastrously unleashes evil across the nation. This found footage-style film not only delivers scares but also authentically captures the aesthetic of the 1970s, drawing viewers into its nightmarish scenario.

David Dastmalchian in Late Night with the Devil

The film’s initial box office success, opening to $2.8 million in 1,034 theaters, underscores its wide appeal and marks the highest opening weekend for an IFC Films release. Critically acclaimed, “Late Night with the Devil” boasts a 96% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 135 reviews, with the consensus praising it for rejuvenating the possession horror genre and showcasing David Dastmalchian’s exceptional performance.

Rotten Tomatoes score as of 3/28/2024

Simon Rother of iHorror.com encapsulates the film’s allure, emphasizing its immersive quality that transports viewers back to the 1970s, making them feel as if they are part of the eerie “Night Owls” Halloween broadcast. Rother lauds the film for its meticulously crafted script and the emotional and shocking journey it takes viewers on, stating, “This whole experience will have viewers of the Cairnes brothers’ film glued to their screen… The script, from beginning to end, is neatly sewn together with an ending that’ll have jaws on the floor.” You can read the full review here.

Rother further encourages audiences to watch the film, highlighting its multifaceted appeal: “Whenever it is made available to you, you must attempt to view the Cairnes Brothers’ latest project as it will make you laugh, it will creep you out, it will amaze you, and it might even strike an emotional cord.”

Set to stream on Shudder on April 19, 2024, “Late Night with the Devil” offers a compelling blend of horror, history, and heart. This film is not just a must-watch for horror aficionados but for anyone looking to be thoroughly entertained and moved by a cinematic experience that redefines the boundaries of its genre.

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