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THE HAUNTED HOUSE OF HORROR (1969)
3 stars
88 Films. Limited Edition Blu Ray. 20th January
Another in 88 Films exploration of the Tigon catalogue.
The script for this film was originally written by director Michael Armstrong when he was a teenager (as The Dark). He dusted it off as his feature debut. David Bowie — who had made a short with Armstrong — was considered for a role, and Boris Karloff was also apparently offered a part. Neither came to pass unfortunately…
It was extensively rewritten, with new shots filmed (the scenes with George Sewell mainly) by an uncredited Gerry Levy, though he was tagged for additional material as Peter Marcus.
A house interior. A man can be heard making agitated sounds as the camera zooms in and the opening titles play. Cut to groovy Carnaby Street, where Dorothy (Carol Dilworth) is meeting her boyfriend Gary (Mark Wynter). He introduces her to Sylvia (Gina Warwick), who is dressing the window in the shop opposite the one where he works. She is being stalked by older married man Bob Kellett (George Sewell), who she spots across the street.
Dorothy is a bit miffed that Gary invites Sylvia to the party they are going to that evening, plus the fact that she will have to go alone, as he has a prior engagement with some mates to celebrate the fact that one of them is getting married.
The party is being held by Chris (Frankie Avalon) at his flat, and it is in full swing when Gary arrives, slightly drunk, alongside Henry (Robin Stewart) and another buddy (Nicholas Young, who you may recognise from TV show THE TOMORROW PEOPLE).
When they all decide the gathering is a bit of a bore, Richard suggests they decamp to a haunted house he knows. So Chris, Sheila (Jill Howarth), Dorothy, Gary, Madge (Veronica Doran), Peter (Richard O’Sullivan), Richard and Henry head out. They are followed there by Bob.
Of course, as these places always are, it is in the middle of nowhere. The exterior was Bank Hall in Bretherton, with interiors shot at Birkdale Palace Hotel in Southport.
Richard fills the group in on the history of the abode and the family that lived there and how twenty years ago one of them went mad and hacked the rest of their relations to pieces. The killer supposedly haunts the place to this day. Before long they have split up to go search for ghosts, in the sort of action that is guaranteed to put them in danger. Of course, one of them ends up gorily slashed to death… but who is the killer? Is it one of them?
Ultimately this is a mediocre horror, which was probably dated even when it was released, though there are some bloody killings to liven things up. The location is well used and the cast has lots of familiar faces in it. The music by Reg Tilsley is a bit on the nose. It is nicely shot by Jack Atcheler, even if some of the scenes are a touch over lit and the film itself looks good on the disc, though slightly grainy in darker scenes.
Steve Kirkham
EXTRAS
4 stars
Two audio commentaries, one with Film Critics Kim Newman and Sean Hogan and one with Film Journalists Troy Howarth and Nathaniel Thompson
The Making Of The Haunted House of Horror (91 mins) interviews Michael Armstrong, actress Veronica Doran, Production Secretary Jeanne Ferber, Editor Peter Pitt, Dubbing Editor Howard Lanning, actor Mark Wynter, Hairdresser Ross Carver and actress Carol Dilworth.
Plus House of Horrors – Micheal Armstrong on The Haunted House of Horror/Helping to Cut The Haunted House of Horror/A Party to The Haunted House of Horror
Haunted House of Horror Trailer and Horror House Trailer
Stills Gallery
Limited Edition Picture Booklet with notes from Michael Armstrong and reversible sleeve featuring new artwork by Sean Longmore & original poster. Initial pressings also get an O-Ring slipcase.
