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You can see from the DVD box (above) that KINO has released the film. I'm wondering whether Alpha Video also has a cheap ($4.99 or so) copy of the inferior (dark, black, and hard to see) Rohauer print?
But you should do what I did - - surf over to YouTube and watch it now. It's a "hoot!" Quick link here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUqtwvlNx-E Mr. "SilverLightSpecial," the guy who posted this 10-part series of clips of the KINO copy, is to be heartily commended!
According to IMDb (click on this post's title for quick link) this film was never part of the famed "Shock Theater" package which countless local stations rented to play many of the Universal monster/horror movies to their late night audiences during the late 1950's and early 60's. So, you (and me too) did NOT see this one on television.
THE OLD DARK HOUSE (1932) Universal Studios, USA, English, b&w, 72 minutes, directed by: James Whale, Starring: Boris Karloff, Melvyn Douglas, Charles Laughton, Lilian Bond, Gloria Stuart, Raymond Massey, Ernest Thesiger, Eva Moore, Elspeth Dudgeon, Brember Wills
This movie is a mystery-suspense-"trapped in a house"-thriller. This is not your standard "monster" movie, nor is it really a horror film either. The plot is simple. Raymond Massey and his wife Gloria Stuart, along with their friend Melvyn Douglas, are forced to stop at the huge, dark, spooky-looking mansion they come upon during a ferocious rain storm which has washed away most of the mountain road they're driving on, as well as caused a landslide making all further travel impossible for the night. It literally WAS a "dark and stormy night."The creepy house they find refuge in is The OLD DARK HOUSE owned by Miss Rebecca Femm (played with pure 1930's character-actor bravado by Eva Moore) and her anxiety ridden, gin-drinking brother Horace Femm (ditto: played by Ernest Thesiger). The real treat for UNI- fans, and classic monster lovers as well, is that their mute, slightly mad (and alcohol loving) butler/man-servant, Morgan, is played by none other than BORIS KARLOFF!
Above you see the "beared" Morgan/KARLOFF serving supper for both Raymond Massey and beautiful Gloria Stuart.
Karloff is KARLOFF! almost... "nuff said," BUT... in all honesty, he doesn't have all that much to do as his role is not that large, nor is his character at the heart of the "plot," as it were. Karloff plays a minor supporting role, and is no doubt given First/Lead "billing" because of the success of FRANKENSTEIN which he and director James Whale had made the year before TODH.There are no special effects as such (and guess what? the lack of CGI is not even noticed :) ) and no real plot. After Massey, Stuart and Melvyn Douglas are given safety in the Femm's house, another two stranded travelers (Lilian Bond and the GREAT Charles Laughton) join the fivesome. There turns out to be a crazy brother, Saul (played by Brember Wills), up in the attic (or at least in one of the upper rooms; I'm not sure whether the mansion had four floors or five?) as well as a crazy old 100 year-old father (played by female actor Elspeth Dudgeon; which is the only mis-cue or mis-casting in the movie... but then maybe not... her creepy "female" voice coming from a bearded centenarian is, well.... kinda creepy).
The point is, this film is an ensemble peformance of some of the finest "old-time, old-style" acting one will ever see. This is classic black & white Hollywood genius at its genre-genius finest. The dialogue is witty, the character actors, right out of "stock," are scumptious, the two female leads are stunningly beautiful, and Laughton and Douglas have rarely been better. What makes this film a winner is the style, atmosphere, and unsettling aura of "madness" that surrounds the Femm household. There is a feeling of almost some kind of Edgar Allan Poe "Usher" curse or secret that saturates the inside of THE OLD DARK HOUSE as thoroughly as the thunder storm and torrential rains saturate the outside. No scares, no real "gotcha" moments or "jumps," just old fashioned gothic creepiness. This film is the "template" for all old dark house type movies that followed.
Gloria Stuart, ravishing as she was, and, turning in a fine performance as Raymond Massey's wife, is really only "second fiddle" to the other female lead
Lilain Bond (above) plays chorus-girl and part-time platonic mistress Gladys Perkins, to Charles Laughton's character of Sir William Porterhouse. Bond is feisty, perky, cute, loyal and brave. She falls in love with Melvyn Douglas' character (the war weary cynic and wise-cracking Roger Penderel) and the scenes between the two sparkle with that old "classic" Tracy/Hepburn vibe. I really liked Bond's performance.
Raymond Massey (on the right) is fine in his stolid (boring) role as the titular leading man. Charles Laughton (on the left) is magnificent in his role as the poor-man who became a rich "Sir" and who is still pining the loss of his deceased wife. Laughton is magnetic (as always) and almost steals every scene he's in.
Miss Rebecca Femm (above with Stuart) is played by character actor Eva Moore, who truly establishes the "high-water mark" for all future "crazy, deaf, odd-fanatical old-biddies." I would have given an Oscar to Eva Moore for her portrayal of this nasty and twisted old shrew. In the photo above, she's ranting (while fondling Stuart's dress) about "godless women...brazen lolling creatures in silks and satins, filling the house with laughter and sin..."
And speaking of "pawing" the handsome Ms Stuart - - we also have the rakish and boorish Morgan/KARLOFF, who, when he drinks a bit, becomes quite the "masher." His intentions are sexual and not at all chaste. Speaking of chaste... there is one scene, which had to be pretty "hot" for 1932, when Stuart is changing into her dry dress and is clad in only her underwear. Now, mind you, one sees more flesh at any US city/municpal swimming pool these days, but back in the early 30's that had to be "oh-so-erotic!" :)
As mentioned, this film succeeds on all levels because of the skillful direction, pacing, and most of all, ensemble acting skill of the cohesive cast. But, if I had to single out a perfomance for special kudos, it would go to Melvyn Douglas (above) for his portrayal of the un-employed, near-ne'r-do-well Roger Penderel. Douglas turns out to be the physical, mental, and emotional HERO at the movie's climax.
As mentioned, this film succeeds on all levels because of the skillful direction, pacing, and most of all, ensemble acting skill of the cohesive cast. But, if I had to single out a perfomance for special kudos, it would go to Melvyn Douglas (above) for his portrayal of the un-employed, near-ne'r-do-well Roger Penderel. Douglas turns out to be the physical, mental, and emotional HERO at the movie's climax.His grand "fight-scene" with the insane lunatic brother Saul (Brember Wills) on the top of the landing is filled with genuine excitement and suspense. Brember Wills, hopping around and struggling with the energy that only manic-psychosis can give, does his best impression of Gollum mated with the Joker! For every lover of the old "fight scenes" in the Republic Serials, or in any episode of Roy Rogers, the final showd0wn between Douglas and Wills is a smashing success.
Speaking of "smashing," the above picture shows a bit of the final denouement.
"NO BEDS!"
Speaking of "smashing," the above picture shows a bit of the final denouement.I won't tell you if anyone dies.
I won't tell you if anyone gets out of THE OLD DARK HOUSE alive.
I won't tell you if any of the characters wind up very, very, happy.
I will tell you, you'll love this film. I wager that you'll put THE OLD DARK HOUSE in your list of Top-Ten Universal Films of the classic age.
You're only a YouTube click away my friends.
"NO BEDS!"
