The Old Dark House (1932)


The Old Dark House is an older example of why keeping copies of physical media is important.  Although it was not a big hit when it was released and also fell flat with critics this movie, directed by James Whale and starring Boris Karloff between the making Frankenstein and Bride of Frankenstein, is one of the earliest examples of a horror comedy.  Based on the novel Benighted by J.B. Priestley it has a largely English cast and was an example of how quickly sound film was developing in its first few years.  Even more important is that it is pre-Code, which meant Whale and screenwriters Benn W. Levy and R.C. Sheriff could get away with a bit more.

The problem came in 1963.  Universal lost the rights to the novel and they eventually went to producer and director William Castle who decided to remake the film as more of a straight comedy.  In the process the original movie was withdrawn from distribution and Universal, not making any money off of it, destroyed most of the copies.  Reconstruction on it began during the 1970s, but it wasn't until 1994 that audiences got a chance to see it again.  Since then it has been re-evaluated and is considered one of Whale's best films.

Philip Waverton (Raymond Massey) and his wife Maragaret (Gloria Stuart) are traveling through the Welsh countryside in a massive downpour along with their friend Penderel (Melvyn Douglas).  Seeing the lights on in a secluded home they seek shelter, being met at the door by the heavily scarred Morgan (Karloff).  They soon meet the inhabitants, siblings Horace (Ernest Thesiger) and Rebecca Femm (Eva Moore).  They are not too happy to get guests, but agree to take them in, with warnings to beware of Morgan.

They are soon joined by another wandering pair in Sir William Porterhouse (Charles Laughton) and his companion Gladys (Lillian Bond).  While Penderel and Gladys get to know each other better, Philip and Margaret start wondering about the mysteries of the house itself.  For one, the warnings of Morgan when he gets into his cups are not exaggerated, and there are more inhabitants of the home than the visitors first think.  It soon becomes apparent they will need to use their wits to survive until morning. 

The set design on this is marvelous, with much of the house being bare stone walls that look like they haven't been cleaned in centuries interrupted by medieval looking windows and heavy wooden doors.  Despite the roaring fires the way everything is designed and filmed gives off a pervasive chill one can physically feel while watching the film.  Like many movies of its time it does have the feeling of a filmed play, although there are a number of shots, the majority toward the beginning, that look more modern.  

Karloff once again is mute and in heavy makeup, something that he would remedy in films going forward.  Although Lillian Bond plays the romantic part Gloria Stuart, who most people will know from her role in Titanic, is the female lead that is pursued by Morgan for unsavory purposes.  Both Ernest Thesiger and Eva Moore help to create a sense of unease throughout.  Horace himself is effeminate and unmarried and appears to be one of the few characters Whale used in his films, despite being a rare out homosexual at the time, that appears to have some coding as queer.  It's still questionable if this was intended as Whale's long-time partner David Lewis has often denied that Whale used "hints" in his films, preferring instead to make visually entertaining movies without any subtext. 

Entertaining it is.  The conversation in the car at the beginning is great writing.  Porterhouse, though painted as a bit of a buffoon, is given some emotional weight by Laughton's performance.  The encounter between the house's main villain and Penderel is one of the greatest scenes in classic horror, and not having to deal with the Hays Code meant to Whale didn't have to be subtle about what Morgan was after with Margaret.  What is truly innovative is the sense of humor within which is well-blended with the horror elements and the dreary atmosphere.  

The Old Dark House (1932)
Time: 72 minutes
Starring: Melvyn Douglas, Raymond Massey, Gloria Stuart, Charles Laughton, Lillian Bond, Boris Karloff, Ernest Thesiger, Eva Moore
Director: James Whale

 

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