House of the Long Shadows

This proved to be the last film of British horror director Walker (in the accompanying DVD interview for his THE FLESH AND BLOOD SHOW [1972], which followed this in short order, he states that this was his only 'assignment' – all his other work he personally financed) as well as the final teaming of that prolific and (for fans, hugely rewarding) iconic duo of Peter Cushing (complete with endearing speech impediment) and Christopher Lee (a complex characterization, albeit characteristically boorish).

Having mentioned the two Hammer stars, some reviewers mistakenly believed the film intended to recapture that studio's Gothic tradition but it actually hearkens back to the comedy-thrillers of the Silent and early Talkie era. In fact, it was the sixth filmization – scripted by Michael Armstrong, whose own directorial career was curtailed following the notoriety of his MARK OF THE DEVIL (1970) – of "Seven Keys To Baldpate", a novel by Earl Derr Biggers (creator of Charlie Chan) that was adapted for the stage by George M. Cohan (yes, the songwriter played by James Cagney in YANKEE DOODLE DANDY [1942]!).

Besides, its plot about a dysfunctional Welsh family that includes a locked-up maniac and whose mansion is 'intruded' upon by innocent strangers is a virtual retread of James Whale's sublime THE OLD DARK HOUSE (1932; one of my absolute favorites) – though with little of that film's style or wit. Another direct link to it is the fact that there is a Roderick involved – and let's not forget that Vincent Price (who co-stars here) had played a character by that name in Roger Corman's seminal Poe adaptation HOUSE OF USHER (1960)! The final revelation (which wasn't at all surprising nor, come to think of it, was the identity of the mysterious killer), then, is straight out of SEVEN FOOTPRINTS TO Satan (1929)…

The cast also highlights two other lesser horror stars – John Carradine (who's supposed to be the patriarch of the family when the difference in age from, at least, Price and Cushing is minimal!) and Walker regular Sheila Keith (replacing the ailing Elsa Lanchester). The young cast isn't in any way comparable obviously – however, both Desi Arnaz Jr. (from childhood sci-fi TV show AUTOMAN [1983]!) and Julie Peasgood prove reasonably engaging nonetheless. By the way, Richard Todd appears as novelist Arnaz's genial publisher – who makes a bet with his client that he won't stay the full-length of 24 hours in an ostensibly haunted house (which is the exact same premise of the Abel Gance/Max Linder short AU SECOURS! [1924] I've just watched and, I see, Michael Elliott did too!).

At the end of the day, the film is clearly old fashioned (despite the occasional gore) but undeniably fun – which makes the Leonard Maltin guide's *1/2 rating a genuine head-scratcher!

It felt like I was watching the film for the first time again. I pretty much had forgotten how the plot played out. Even to a point, that the seasoned cast of genre actors actually had larger screen time, and scenes together then I remembered. And boy, don't they each make an entrance when they first appear. The wonderful ensemble of Vincent Price, Peter Cushing, Christopher Lee, David Carradine and (Walker regular) Sheila Keith really chew up the scenery by providing the lively theatrics to Pete Walker's trope infused, old dark house mystery-horror. Even during the constant back and forth dialogue exchanges, and there's a lot early on. It's the old heads who kept me entrenched with their ghoulish banter.

Murder and mayhem slowly develops, as director Walker pulls you along in many different directions. What it's building towards was fairly contrived and disappointing, but the shadowy atmosphere of a candle lit manor with a lingering thunderstorm outside gave it a cosy tranquility amongst the frantic shrills and macabre spills. I just wish it was more fun than it was, and it mainly fell on Walker, because the old boys kept the pulse beating.

Everyone probably figured that Vincent Price, Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing would have to all co-star in a movie, but who ever would have guessed that Desi Arnaz Jr would also co-star? Far removed from his parents' famous roles, Arnaz plays Kenneth Magee, an American author who goes to an old Welsh estate to write a novel. He is supposed to have no disturbances, but Vincent Price, Peter Cushing and John Carradine arrive to release their brother who has been locked in his room for forty years, and Christopher Lee arrives to claim ownership of the mansion. Naturally, things don't go as everyone expects.

"House of the Long Shadows" doesn't have anything that we wouldn't anticipate in a movie about a dark old mansion, but it's got more twists and turns than a roller coaster. So, I recommend it, and I hope that they don't try to remake it.

Pete Walker's "House Of The Long Shadows" of 1983 may be an extremely silly and partly even ridiculous movie, all right, but it is still an absolute must-see for any serious lover of horror, and even for any serious film fan, as it features FOUR of the greatest Horror icons in the history of motion pictures, Vincent Price, Peter Cushing, Christopher Lee and John Carradine in one movie. This unique cast alone makes this movie essential, regardless of the ridiculous storyline.

Young American author Kenneth Magee (Desi Arnaz Jr.) makes a ridiculous bet with his English publisher that he can write a novel as great as Emily Bronte's "Wuthering Heights" within 24 hours. His publisher therefore sends him to a Welsh manor, where Kenneth is supposed to have the necessary quietude to work effectively. Soon after his arrival, however, some strange guests show up, amongst them some of our favorite Horror icons...

Vincent Price, Peter Cushing, Christopher Lee AND John Carradine - A movie with this cast is, once again, absolutely essential for any fan of Horror. These four legendary actors clearly had a lot of fun shooting this over-all silly movie together, especially Price plays his role very humorously and seems to enjoy it a lot. Apart from the four Horror legends, the movie has little to offer. Desi Arnaz Jr. delivers a dreadful performance, and Julie Peasgood is not exactly a very good actress either. The story and its many twists are quite ridiculous. There were some points in the movie when I actually started to like the story, but these moments are quickly destroyed by silly twists again. If it wasn't for this movie's stars, the film would, if for anything, be remembered for its silly premise, but Price, Cushing, Lee and Carradine make this an absolute must-see!

An over-all silly film with a ridiculous storyline, "House Of The Long Shadows" is made a real joy by the four great Horror legends. A film that unites Price, Cushing, Lee and Carradine is a must-see for every Horror fan and serious lover of cinema!

Vincent Price, Peter Cushing, Christopher Lee and John Carradine in one movie is like a dream come true and a recipe for a truly great time. House of the Long Shadows is not a great movie, but it is an interesting one and better than I was led to believe. It does have flaws of course, the ending is unsatisfying and feels like more than one ending rolled into a single one, the middle drags and Desi Arnaz Jnr gives an awful lead performance, very wooden and overly-serious. However, the production values complete with a suitably Gothic mansion are in keeping with the spooky atmosphere and in the genre House of the Long Shadows is an example of. The music has a very haunting sound to it, I loved the tongue-in-cheek humour and thrills in the script(Vincent Price having the best lines and he really relishes them), and the story has some nice-if occasionally silly- twists and turns and is mostly swiftly paced. The opening sequence is great. The murder sequences are not exactly subtle, but are suspenseful and evoke some chills. The four stars Price, Cushing, Lee and Carradine- easily the highlights of the film- are brilliant, distinctive and commanding with a very one-of-a-kind chemistry. In conclusion, fun and interesting if far from perfect. 7/10 Bethany Cox