The Legend of Hell House

The Legend of Hell House (1973)

Runtime: 95 minutes

Directed by: John Hough

Starring: Pamela Franklin, Roddy McDowall, Clive Revill, Gayle Hunnicutt

From: 20^th Century Fox

What a curious ending this movie had.

This is a horror film of some fame that I've known of for years yet it took the Criterion Channel adding it to their Synth Soundtracks collection that inspired me to finally enter the spooky old haunted house. The electronic elements of the soundtrack were pretty rad. I know that both Delia Derbyshire and Brian Hodgson worked for the BBC creating various sound effects... along with what electronic music was back then. I also know the former was responsible for the original Doctor Who theme.

This story from Richard Matheson-based on a novel he wrote-could easily be watched with 1963's The Haunting, as they share some striking similarities although in general there are also some drastic differences. Several people are tasked with investigating “the Mount Everest of haunted houses”: Physicist Lionel, mental medium Florence and physical medium, who was the only one who survived the last investigation unscathed. Lionel's wife Ann insisted on coming along, which wasn't the wisest decision. After all, the house was owned by a truly evil Mr. Belasco who among other heinous acts massacred a large group of people at the mansion decades ago. The spirits at the titular house start haunting everyone present. Unsurprisingly, there are accusations that someone is either fabricating their paranormal experiences or they are not mentally well.

It's a small cast and while the tone is rather bold (complete with copious close-ups and yelling) that fit the material, without having read a single page of Matheson's novel that I am led to believe is far more explicit than the film. The expected supernatural happenings did in fact happen, including disembodied voices, psychic disturbances, bad things happening to a black cat, and downright possession. It was imbibed with a nice Gothic atmosphere, an appropriately creepy house & nice performances from the quartet: Pamela Franklin, Roddy McDowall, Clive Revill, & Gayle Hunnicutt. I was invested & was curious as to the denouement.

Then, the final 5 or so minutes happened... many reviewers have noted how unexpected it was-not to mention, how it did not work for them. Maybe the conclusion played better on the page instead of on screen, as the main emotion from me as I saw how the movie wrapped up: laughter. A shame, but be that as it may, both movies are worthy of viewing during the Halloween season for those that enjoy spooky films during that time of year and don't feel like viewing another slasher. Heck, 1961's The Innocents should also be experienced as it's another quality haunted house picture... w/ Franklin as a child actor.