The Old Dark House

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The Old Dark House

Released Oct 20, 1932

1h 11m

Horror

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

97%

Tomatometer

30 Reviews

70%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Ratings

Driving through a brutal thunderstorm in Wales, three travelers take refuge in an eerie house owned by the Femm family. Reluctantly admitted by Horace Femm (Ernest Thesiger), the three sit down to a strange dinner. Horace is neurotic; mute butler Morgan (Boris Karloff) is an alcoholic; and Horace's sister, Rebecca (Eva Moore), raves about chastity. When the storm brings in an industrialist and chorus girl Gladys DuCane Perkins (Lilian Bond), Morgan's lust and Rebecca's ire are ignited.

Critics Consensus

A deft blend of well-chosen ingredients, The Old Dark House is a delightfully scary horror comedy that benefits from James Whale's suspenseful direction.

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Donald Clarke

Irish Times

Spanking digital restoration of James Whale's funniest, most subversive horror film.

Rated: 5/5

Apr 27, 2018

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David Jenkins

Little White Lies

A chilling romp - expertly orchestrated scares with a humorous camp undertow.

Rated: 4/5

Apr 27, 2018

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Peter Bradshaw

Guardian

It is performed with tremendous gusto and theatrical dash.

Rated: 4/5

Apr 27, 2018

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Rob Gonsalves

Rob's Movie Vault

James Whale’s wry send-up of the popular horror plays of the time actually has moments that put today’s so-called horror films to shame.

Rated: A

Nov 23, 2022

Full Review

Nadine Smith

them.

The Old Dark House is much more explicit than horror films in the years to follow, dripping with provocations and innuendos, with a daring sensibility befitting a director whose own personal life flew in the face of convention.

Oct 26, 2022

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Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

Whale combines marvelous stylistic flourishes and witty drawing room dialogue with campy indulgence, creating a film both macabre and sardonic.

Oct 30, 2021

Full Review

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Jess

Excellent film! Spooky old house on a dark and stormy night, filled with an assortment of colorful and creepy characters. Perfect blend of genuine chills and dashes of humor.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/31/23

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Mark H

One of my very favorite films. Incredibly well made, especially for such an early “talkie,” of the 1930’s. It’s atmospheric, with a dark, stormy night in rural Wales and likeable characters stranded in the only house for miles - a massive, sprawling, gothic stone house with huge chimneys. The family there is certainly odd, and neurotic. They also harbor some secrets, including in the locked attic bedroom. The film is directed by horror master James Whale (Frankenstein, Bride of Frankenstein, etc) and very smartly cast. A young Gloria Stewart (the sweet old lady in Titanic, 60 years later), Raymond Massey, Ernest Thesiger, an utterly charming Melvyn Douglas, Boris Karloff and the always fun Charles Laughton. Funny, without resorting to blatant camp or satire, and often creepy and weird. Not scary by today’s standards, but a very fun, short film from the early years of cinema. This film was nearly lost in time, but was salvaged when a copy was found in the studio archives and money was raised to remaster it. It’s a treasure.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/07/25

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Steve D

Rocky Horror has sucked away it's effectiveness.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

11/10/24

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nick s

Not sure why the reviews are so gushing for this movie. It was neither horror nor comedy. And the slipshod writing felt like it was made up on set. Cinematography and some of the acting were the only highlights. Oh, and the risque 30s outfits.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

07/02/24

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g j

A very promising and engaging first act abruptly peters out into tedium. Its well acted and well shot, but pretty dull.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/10/24

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S R

Unusual and bizarre, but ultimately harmless. Fun cast and interesting. Saw on tubi.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/10/24

Full Review

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James Whale

Director

Boris Karloff

Morgan

Melvyn Douglas

Penderel

Charles Laughton

Sir William Porterhouse

Gloria Stuart

Margaret Waverton

Lilian Bond

Gladys

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Synopsis

Driving through a brutal thunderstorm in Wales, three travelers take refuge in an eerie house owned by the Femm family. Reluctantly admitted by Horace Femm (Ernest Thesiger), the three sit down to a strange dinner. Horace is neurotic; mute butler Morgan (Boris Karloff) is an alcoholic; and Horace's sister, Rebecca (Eva Moore), raves about chastity. When the storm brings in an industrialist and chorus girl Gladys DuCane Perkins (Lilian Bond), Morgan's lust and Rebecca's ire are ignited.

Director: James Whale
Producer: Carl Laemmle Jr.
Screenwriter: Benn W. Levy
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Production Co: Universal Pictures
Genre: Horror, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 20, 1932, Original
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Oct 6, 2017
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 24, 2017
Runtime: 1h 11m

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