The Vincent Price Movie Review

Released in 1959
Directed by William Castle
Written by Robb White

“Fear makes people do amazing things….”

Ghosts! Acid pits! Spooky house! Murder! Vincent Price! — Where can you find all these things and more? In the House on Haunted Hill of course! And while it’s not a cinematic masterpiece, it’s still a hell of a lot of fun.

This is usually the part in the review where I begin the synopsis…this one will be short because the story is fairly simple. An eccentric millionaire(Vincent Price) and his wife invite five random people to stay one night in a haunted house. If they are brave enough stay until morning, they will each receive $10,000. If they manage to die in the process, the money will go to their next of kin. Once they make their decision they are locked in with no escape. It sounds straightforward enough, but some of the participants seem to have hidden agendas. Who knows what could happen in a spooky old mansion? To up the stakes, the host arms each participant with a loaded semi-automatic handgun. (stored in miniature coffins, how cute) What could possibly go wrong?

It’s hard for me to criticize the House on Haunted Hill. The movie has its problems, but it doesn’t take itself seriously anyway so there’s no use dwelling on them; it’s a quintessential Vincent Price movie and a classic in the genre. It’s not the kind of movie that provokes thoughtful reflection…but it’s good for a cheap thrill. I just wish I could have been fortunate enough to have seen it in the theater in 1959. The director, William Castle, created a gimmick called Emergo that was used in theaters where a skeleton on wires was moved about the room to the shock and horror of the audience. (there’s a walking skeleton in the movie of course)

There’s really not much to say about the performances and the dialog - both are generally good. The dialog is especially snappy when Price’s character is verbally sparring with his wife.

The atmosphere of the house is well done in a cheesy horror movie kind of way. I wish we could have seen more of the house’s exterior because it looked rather unusual. The music adds to the spooky ambiance nicely with all the creepy organs and eerie soprano wailing.

If you’re a Vincent Price fan and you haven’t seen this go right out and get it. Invite a few friends over, pop some corn, and hit the lights. If you enjoyed the House on Haunted Hill, then check out Price’s similar movies The Tingler and The Bat.