It’s always fun and games until someone loses an eye.
That’s the lesson of The Old Dark House (1932), a comedy-horror flick about – you guessed it – a group of people stranded in an old dark house.
The film opens on a Dark And Stormy Night as an English couple drives through a severe rainstorm and series of mudslides in rural Wales. Happily for us, they’ve brought along a glib and charming gadabout, one Melvyn Douglas.
The wife (Gloria Stuart) frets about the the horrible roads and argues with her husband (Raymond Massey). Douglas, reclining comfortably in the back seat of the car, airily dismisses their concerns. “Just drive on,” he says. “We’ll arrive somewhere, sometime.”
The trio find a stone house where they decide to seek shelter. They’ll not find warmth in this house, though; the occupants grudgingly allow them to stay, then complain loudly about it.
They’re an odd bunch, they who live here: an elderly woman (Eva Moore), her two aging brothers, and their frail, ancient father. The guests are warned about the butler (Boris Karloff), a mentally unhinged fellow who becomes even more so when he drinks.
Boris Karloff keeps a menacing eye on the place. Image: Fandango
Moore’s character is our favourite, although she would be intolerable in Real Life. She specializes in pointing out sinful behaviour, whether genuine or imagined. For instance, she tells a horrible story about the death of her sister. However, it’s not the tragic death that sticks in Moore’s craw, it’s her sister’s refusal to Repent.
Moore is certainly the world’s greatest living expert on the subject of Blasphemy, and no such activity escapes her notice. Of her own father, she says, “He’s a wicked, blaspheming old man.”
She finds no pleasure in life. Even at the dinner table she eats quickly, as though the food might dart sideways before she can stab at it. She doesn’t speak or look at her guests; her dinner plate consumes all her attention.
Moore is a stark contrast to her brother (Ernst Thesinger), a congenial but nervous fellow who says nothing at dinner except, “Have a potato.” It’s quite surprising, therefore, when he off-handedly reveals he is Wanted by police.
These characters are over the top and amusing, and an audience member can become lulled into a false sense of security.
In some circles, this is known as the Sucker Punch.
About halfway through, the film unexpectedly turns on us, and we realize we are watching an honest-to-goodness horror flick. An ugly evening becomes worse when a murderous sibling is freed from his locked room, and Karloff’s unstable character starts drinking heavily.
The traditional horror-flick lighting suddenly seems more dramatic, but director James Whale winks at us, as though sharing a joke. In one scene, a character says, “We’re not very good with electricity.” In another scene, Stuart mocks the cliché lighting with lively hand shadow puppetry.
But Whale never lets up on the thunder outside, and we feel the weight of it. He will not let us forget that the storm holds everyone hostage.
We’re not laughing now. Fun and games are Over. Amusing quirks in the characters have turned into something worrisome; we realize these people are capable of doing anything.
The Old Dark House is based on the 1927 novel, Benighted, by British novelist and playwright J.B. Priestly. The film had mediocre box office sales in the U.S., but it was a hit in England, and was later remade by director William Castle in 1963.
We think this is a film you ought to see. When it’s not making us fearful, it’s a cheeky pre-code flick that enjoys quite a bit of fun at its own expense.
The Old Dark House: Boris Karloff, Melvyn Douglas, Charles Laughton. Directed by James Whale. Written by Ben Levy. Universal Pictures Corp., 1932, B&W, 72 mins.
This post is part of the Hot & Bothered Blogathon hosted by CineMaven’s Essays from the Couch and Once Upon a Screen. Click HERE to see today’s fab entries.
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A fun piece about a fun movie! I do agree with you about the sucker-punch aspect.
If you ever come across a copy of the Priestley novel, you might enjoy it. Priestley seems largely forgotten these days, but he was a very fluent and entertaining writer.
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Thanks for the recommendation. I’m going to track down the Priestley novel because the little I’ve read about it online makes me think it might be a new favourite.
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The novel’s not a masterpiece (and it’s not one of Priestley’s best), but I remember it as being very entertaining.
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TCM is all about pairing wine with movies these days, but I think the right weather is more important. “The Old Dark House” is best watched during a rainstorm. Lights out!
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Haha! Yes, this film would be something during a rainstorm. You are so right about the right weather for the right movie.
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This was one of those rare films that gave its name to a subgenre. It’s so archetypal that it carries no surprises nowadays, but it still creeps. Nice choice!
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Yes, exactly – no surprises in this film today, but still a big Creep Factor. It would have been a thrill to see it on the big screen when it was first released in 1932.
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I like your description of this as a “sucker punch!” This has to be one of my favorite early horror films…and that dinner scene wither her “stabbing” at her food and his “have a potato” always makes me laugh…even, as you say, while one grows worried.
I wonder if the novel has the same sense of humor or if that is entirely coming from James Whale?
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Good question! I’m going to be tracking down the novel to find out for sure.
Some very funny scenes in this film. I love, absolutely love, the characters.
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I’ve never even heard of this! (Are you tired of me saying that yet? Just let me know.) Love the Sucker Punch description. I can’t make up my mind about what this film is supposed to be. Guess I’ll just have to watch it. 🙂 How is the remake?
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The 1963 remake is pretty funny. Lots of black humour, but not too much to put you off your dinner. There is a version of the 1932 film on YouTube, but the quality ain’t the best.
And no, I never get tired of hearing a person say they’ve never heard of a certain movie. I learn about new-to-me movies all the time, and I’m a film blogger, for Pete’s sake.
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It was nice one of James Whale’s lesser-known films reviewed (and well-done). Plus, what a cast: Karloff, Massey, and Theisger! I’ve often wondered if this film didn’t play a part in Massey’s casting in ARSENIC AND OLD LACE (with all the Karloff jokes).
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Ah! Good point, Rick. I wonder if this film did play a role in “Arsenic and Old Lace”. It has been a while since I’ve seen it, so I’m going to have to watch it again, with that in mind.
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Excellent article Ruth. This is another film that I’ve somehow eluded. This post however has urged me to treat myself to a viewing.
I also invite you to read my entry for the blogathon.
https://crystalkalyana.wordpress.com/2016/07/11/red-dust-1932/
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Oh yes, please try to see this one. You can find it on YouTube – the quality isn’t the best, but it’s still enjoyable.
I’ll be by later this evening to read your fab post! 🙂
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Thanks. I’ll look for it on You Tube, and will check it out.
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You wouldn’t think the description of a horror film would have me chuckling, but your post made me snicker all the way through! I could just see the food jumping off of Moore’s plate and her trying to stab it. Also, that line about “we have trouble with electricity” after everything you described was so funny! Sounds like a great film. I don’t usually do horror as they give me nightmares (embarrassingly enough), but this one sounds fun. Although the title of your post has me a little worried about the ending! 🙂 Thanks, Ruth!
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I’m shy about horror films, too, but I had heard so many good things about this one that I had to give it a try. There are some very funny lines in this film and some truly endearing characters. A person could watch the first half, then fast-forward to the very last scene (which is a happy one).
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At first I thought, “haven’t I seen this before?” But then I realized I’m thinking of the William Castle version. Being such a PreCode fan and with a fun cast of folks like Melvyn Douglas and Gloria Stuart, I need to see this! Thanks for a super fun review!
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An incredible cast in this film, and I really didn’t do it justice with the entire cast, e.g. Charles Laughton, etc. I would say this one is every bit as enjoyable at the 1963 version – but because it was made in 1932, it’s the one I prefer.
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What a great opening shot, Ruth! I can almost hear the scream building in her throat. You’re such a talented writer. Your description of Moore’s character eating as “though the food might dart sideways” is a great line. I’m not familiar with this film but it’s a must see, if for no other reason than to see Moore eat. I know I’ll be smiling. 🙂
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I’m may be the only person who is highly amused by Eva Moore’s performance. Most people love the film for all its other fab characteristics, but I think she alone is worth the price of admission.
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I think I won’t leave the house until I watch every single one of the films reviewed in this blogathon! Pre-Code is easily one of my favorite periods for film and I still have got a lot to check out. The Old Dark House is one of them.
As always, it was a great review.
Thanks for the kind comment!
Kisses!
Le
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I know – this was a terrific blogathon. So many influential films made in 1932. I hope you get the chance to see The Old Dark House. It’s a lot of fun.
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Hi, Ruth! I just want to say that I watched The Old Dark House last weekend and was not disappointed! It was a lot of fun, and I believe the brothers can open the Horace & Rebecca Overnight Rest House!
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Yay! I’m so glad you had a chance to watch it, and am very pleased you thought it was a lot of fun.
I love the idea of a Horace & Rebecca Overnight Rest House.
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Priestley enjoyed turning story conventions on their heads — he looked at the “disparate group trapped together” with a sort of scientific detachment. Which is why the end of the book is even more of a sucker-punch than the movie! And rather annoying, because you know he’s just toying with you.
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I am putting the book on hold right now at the library. I was keen to read it before, but you’ve made this an urgent priority.
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