Welcome to The Attic. Remember the fun we had when you poisoned me?

House on Haunted Hill (1959) is one of my favorite classics from the early days of horror. When you take the amazingly smart William Castle and combine him with a legend like Vincent Price, you are not likely to be disappointed. Ever since I was little I remember this being a household favorite, and a common installment of family movie nights. This film is equal parts campy, creepy, and fun. That is why it deserves a spot as part of The Attic Gem series, where I note some of the older and lesser known horror classics.

Five strangers are invited by a millionaire to spend the night in a mansion. The situation is odd: None of the guests has ever met each other or their host. The terms are even more unusual: They must spend the whole night locked in this mansion in the hills, and whoever does so will win $10,000. The man, Frederick Loren, has an interesting relationship with his current wife, Annabelle. They joke about wanting to murder each other and while that may seem somewhat normal, in this film there is a tone of seriousness that is disturbing. He reminisces about the time she tried to poison him. She smiles and replies “something you ate, the Doctor said.” He has gone through three wives before her, and it seems he wouldn’t mind losing another one… That is, if she doesn’t get him first. Their banter is by far one of my favorite things about this movie.

He greets them and warns that at midnight, the only door to the outside will be locked by the caretakers. They must decide by then if they wish to stay, and if they do, he notes that there is no electricity to phone for help, and no way out until the next morning when the caretakers would return. One of the guests has stayed at this mansion before, and he warns everyone of the spirits that roam inside. He tells the story of people that had been murdered there; their heads were never found. His reasoning for staying is money… but does this odd little man have ulterior motives? Before anyone has time to make up their minds, the caretakers shut and lock the door early, and without asking anyone what they want to do. They are stuck until morning whether they like it or not.

Their host, Mr. Loren, so kindly gives everyone a small handgun to have as protection, which he calls party favors. Things go from creepy to downright terrifying for the guests as one of the seven attendees of this “dinner party” is found hung to death. Another is choked and threatened. As disturbing experiences intensify, they begin to wonder if this place is in fact haunted, or if they’ve been put in danger by one of their own kind.

This movie is very well done, and while the ending isn’t the most surprising thing in the world, certain parts really do shock you. Everything from this mansion, to the music, to the cast, is expertly pieced together by the master of B-movie gimmicks.

Speaking of the mansion, me and my family once drove up to the area around Griffith Park and found the house that was used for the exterior shots of the mansion. I remember that fondly. If you’re ever in Los Angeles, look up the Ennis Brown House, which was designed by none other than Frank Lloyd Wright, and has stood there since 1927.

I envy those that can sit down and watch this for the first time. To this day I just love curling up on a cool rainy day with a blanket and getting lost in a black and white world with the chilling voice of Price to reel me in. The next time you decide to spend a night at home, turn off the lights and put this movie on. You won’t be disappointed.

Stay scared,
Dark Princess