By Melissa Antoinette Garza
I’ve talked in other reviews about my eccentric taste in men. Vincent Price is definitely one of my massive celebrity crushes. He had class, a unique way of speaking, a strong sensuality and a debonair style that makes me long for the days when men had a certain level of etiquette. Even as Price would murder and maim, he never lost his gentlemen-like ways.
In “The House of the Long Shadows” we are blessed with nearly every classic horror icon there is. Vincent Price, Peter Cushing, John Carradine, Christopher Lee and Sheila Keith star in the classic horror funfest.
The movie opens with writer Kenneth (Desi Arnaz Jr.) meeting with his publisher Sam (Richard Todd). They discuss how current authors’ work seem to pale in comparison to the passionate novels of the past. Kenneth disagrees with the assessment and makes a $20,000 bet that he can write a book of the same caliber within 24 hours as long as he had a place with enough ambiance to motivate him. Sam gives him the keys to an empty old house to work in.
He drives there knowing that the place is vacant, yet when he arrives two caretakers are present. Lord Elijah (John Carradine) and Victoria (Sheila Keith). Soon, a woman arrives claiming to be a spy but as Kenneth refuses to believe it she finally admits that she’s Mary Norton (Julie Peasgood), Sam’s secretary sent to play a joke. He forgives her but when she starts believing that something is wrong with the caretakers, he thinks she’s playing games again. Soon, another person arrives. Sebastian (Peter Cushing) claims his car broke down and he saw the light on and arrived for help. Still the guests keep coming. Lionel (Vincent Price) shows up stating that the house was his ancestral home and he had to come to say goodbye. The timing of all showing up they all swear is merely coincidental. It isn’t until the soon-to-be new owner Corrigan (Christopher Lee) arrives that they buckle and admit they are the Grisbane family – there to right a wrong committed 40 years prior.
They say their youngest brother had been locked up for the last 4 decades in a room upstairs. At age 14, they say he impregnated a girl and when he found out, he slit her throat. The family being their own judge and jury sentenced him to 40 years. Sebastian is the only one who seems to feel any remorse. Lionel swears that they did exactly what needed to be done. Elijah and Victoria are very solemn and quiet about the matter. Only as they go to let him out, it appears that the brother has escaped. Soon thereafter, the people within the confines face their fate and their deaths.
The movie is fantastic as one would expect with such an amazing cast. It’s fun and has a double twist ending that though predictable, at its time was probably unheard of.
Anytime Cushing and Price are together – magic happens. When you throw in the remaining bunch and the legendary Richard Todd, you are in for one hell of a ride!
Scared Stiff Review 8/10