Whenever a classic film gets remade, there are always those who say that’s it not as good as the original and that is certainly the case here. However, taking that into consideration, this reworking of James Whale’s 1932 version is better than I remember it being. I had seen it years ago (in black & white) and do recall rather enjoying it but then I was in grade school at the time. I then later saw a VHS version in color and didn’t much care for it that time around. Of course I had just seen the James Whale version (which had been kept out of circulation because of this film) so that’s an understandable reaction. Having just watched it again after many years in this new MOD (Made-On-Demand) DVD-R release I found, much to my surprise, that I liked it more than I expected to.
Part of it is that the transfer, which is enhanced for wide screen TV, is absolutely gorgeous. Another factor is that, aside from director William Castle, the technical team is all Hammer (the film was shot at Bray) headed up by set designer Bernard Robinson and cameraman Jack Asher. Finally there is the wonderful British cast that features Robert Morley, Peter Bull, and Mervyn Johns. I remember Tom Poston from his TV quiz show days and another William Castle comedy ZOTZ! which was made at the same time. Years later he would play a prominent role on NEWHART. As the only American in the film, he holds his own against the ensemble British cast. The first 2/3 of the film is rather amusing (there is no hint of suspense or menace whatever) but the final third descends into 3 STOOGES slapstick.
Although the source material (J.B. Priestley’s BENIGHTED) is the same, there is very little resemblance between the 1932 film and this one. The characters have the same names but what they do is a totally different matter. The material has been “Americanized” to try and sell it here in the U.S (it ends with THE STARS & STRIPES FOREVER on the soundtrack and the hoisting of the American flag). The cast does their best but Robert Dillon’s screenplay is the chief culprit here. There are also some really cheap effects such as the hyena “attack” or the bump on Danny Green’s head at the end. In spite of all this THE OLD DARK HOUSE manages to entertain in spite of itself. Just don’t compare it to the 1932 original. The opening titles are by Charles Addams and “Thing” makes a quick appearance.
The Capsule Critic 