Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotesOverview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditsAwards & Reviews
user reviewsexternal reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guidemessage boardPlot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsmemorable quotesDid You Know?
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQOther Info
box office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specsliterature listingsNewsDeskPromotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo galleryExternal Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clipsReviews & Ratings for
House of Mystery More at IMDbPro »
| Index | 9 reviews in total |
5 out of 5 people found the following review useful:
Respectable but forgettable.Ok but nothing nothing special., 9 April 2004
Author:
Chuck Straub from Mansfield, CT USA
House of Mystery is ok as a 1934 mystery movie with a respectful dose of comedy thrown in. I was hoping for something a little scarier but that never came about. As a mystery, I thought it was below average but the strange and often comedic characters did keep things interesting. The movie doesn't drag or bog down, but that may be in large part to the fact that the film is only 62 minutes long. It never really met my expectations but had enough going for it that it managed to keep my interest. My impression of this movie is that it was just an ok movie, nothing special, but certainly not bad. If you see it, I think you might get some enjoyment out of it, but if you don't see it, you're really not missing too much. A respectable but forgettable 30s mystery movie.
5 out of 6 people found the following review useful:
Okay Mystery, 25 April 2004
Author:
dbborroughs from Glen Cove, New York
Years ago fortune hunter ran a foul of an Indian cult. Now years later he
calls together the backers of his trip to try and make amends and to make
right what happened.
Or so he says.
Actually there's more going on here than meets the eye, not to mention a
potentially murderous gorilla.
This is a very good, completely unremarkable and completely forgettable
movie that is probably destined to end up lost in your memory. I know I have
a hell of a hard time remembering which movie this is every time I run
across it in my movie collection. I have to put it on to see what it is and
more times than not I'll leave it on. Its not one that I actively search out
to watch, even though I've seen it numerous times.
Should you get the chance, you might want to give it a try, just don't
expect to remember it in the morning.
4 out of 5 people found the following review useful:
Fans of old dark house movies will certainly enjoy this one, 30 January 2000
Author:
Don W from Long Island Motor Parkway
The movie begins in Asia (India) in 1913, where the main character (a Mr. Prendergast) kills a monkey, & then moves ahead to 1932-33 in the US, where the Curse of Kahli follows him. This is a solid old dark house kind of movie that has comic elements & a seance. It's a treat for fans of the Hopalong Cassidy B western series to see a 47 year young beardless George Hayes in a small role. There are lots of murders, several surprises, & the mandatory man in the gorilla suit. Chanda (played by Laya Joy, AKA Joyzelle Joyner), after an early stint in the movie as an exotic dancer (she's does a good job at that) walks around the rest of the movie zombie-like, almost speechless. Fans of the old dark house genre will certainly enjoy this one.
2 out of 2 people found the following review useful:
An entertaining, but forgettable, dark house flick, 4 October 2010
Author:
Anthony Pittore III (Shattered_Wake) from Los Angeles, CA
Based on the play by Adam Shirk, 'House of Mystery' tells the tale of
John Prendergast (Clay Clement), an archaeologist sent from his home
country to seek the wisdom of the Hindu religion. While in Asia, John
"accidentally" (read as "drunkenly") kills a sacred monkey at a Hindu
temple and is soon exposed as a thief (in the future). His fate is then
cursed, along with the fates of his descendants. Twenty years pass and
the Curse of Kahli still follows him. The investors of his expedition
have gathered together at his mansion to seek their share of the
fortune that he earned, with the only demand being that the inheritors
must remain in the old mansion long enough to claim their money.
Unfortunately for all, anangry killer that may be a result of the curse
is loose and out for blood.
Like many "dark house" horrors of the early twentieth century, 'House
of Mystery' isn't a very complicated film. While it does have a deeper
background to it than similar films (many of which feature a lost
couple who stumble upon a decrepit manor without much more), the
overall feel and style still remains in line with the others of its
subgenre. In fact, there isn't much to separate 'House of Mystery' as
being very special at all. That's not totally a bad thing, however.
It's just one of those decades-old films that have been mostly
forgotten because, well, it's fairly forgettable.
The story is entertaining enough (which is really what matters most in
a film like this). I liked the backstory set in Asia and the
progression to the "present" (i.e. the early 1930s). However, once it
gets to the present, it loses the originality that was being built by
the introduction and fades into the standard fare of this style of
film. Nevertheless, it does remain quite enjoyable with a funny cast of
characters and some interesting plot turns. Also, the old mansion is
one of the better "dark house" settings I've seen and director William
Nigh (who had an astounding 120 directorial credits to his name over
his 34-year career including another "killer monkey"-themed film 'The
Ape' starring Boris Karloff). Other than that, there isn't a whole lot
more to say. The film comes in at a lightning-fast 62 minute runtime,
making it worth the short investment for the entertainment value.
Overall, fans of the "dark house" subgenre should give it a look as
they'll find more enjoyment in it than others, but it's still a fun
time regardless for anyone who wants to give it a go.
Final Verdict: 6.5/10.
-AP3-
1 out of 1 people found the following review useful:
Why Jozelle was billed as Laya Joy in this film is the real mystery!!!!, 29 September 2008
Author:
kidboots from Australia
*** This review may contain spoilers ***
The film starts in Asia, in 1913, when John Prendergast (Clay Clement),
an archaeologist, in a drunken rage, kills one of the temple monkeys.
He has a curse put on him by the temple priests. They predict that he
will steal jewels and go off with them but he and his descendents will
be cursed. His insolence seals his fate. A giant ape is ordered to kill
him but Chandra (Joyzelle) the exotic dancer that he is involved with
helps him escape.
Twenty years later they are found and the relatives of the original
expedition meet at John Pren's house (he is now going by that name) to
demand their share of the wealth. Pren tells them of the curse (2
English relations had been given their share - within a month they had
been murdered) and stipulates that to claim their share they must stay
in the house a week.
The first night a seance is held and one of the ladies, Mrs. Carfax,
(Dale Fuller) the hypochondriac, is murdered. It is very clear that an
ape has killed her. Gabby Hayes makes a surprise appearance as one of
the guests - one with gambling debts - he is the next one murdered. He
is found in an ape suit which immediately throws everyone off the
scent. "I'm going to the zoo" "Sit down, you're in one right now!!!"
Joyzelle is the most interesting character in the film - she plays the
inscrutable Chandra. Why she was billed as Laya Joy instead of Joyzelle
may be the real mystery???? She didn't make many films and in most of
them she was billed as "exotic dancer" but in "Just Imagine" (1930) she
had a memorable part as twins, one good and one evil!!! In "House of
Mystery" she had the second female lead - I admit that in a film of 62
minutes that is not something to boast about!!!
Things are not what they seem. Mr. Pren is not the benevolent old
gentleman confined to a wheelchair - he is very predatory and wants the
money for himself. The guests find a note and are persuaded to go to
the police station - all except Ella Browning (Verna Hillie). She is
persuaded to stay in the house by Mr. Pren, who wants to send Chandra
away and marry Ella. Chandra has other ideas.
The film is okay. Everything is tidied up very quickly. It is like "The
Mummy" meets "The Old Dark House".
Clunky Monkey, 2 April 2012
Author:
Mondo_Giallo from Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
In the 1930's there seemed to be three types of poverty row films that
were made over and over again: (1) mystery films, (2) old dark house
movies, (3) films featuring men in gorilla suits. The makers of House
of Mystery evidently came to the natural conclusion that all of these
elements should be combined together. In fact, along with films such as
The Gorilla and Son of Ingagi, this film was part of a very specific
sub-genre that can best be described as 'Gorilla Hiding in a House'
movies.
Comedian Harry Enfield did a funny sketch once where the Arsenal
football team of the 1990's played the one from the 1930's. The latter
team's tactics were to kick the ball and then chase after it in a large
group. Funnily enough, this is exactly what happens in these old dark
house mysteries from the 30's. In them a large group of people move
from room to room en mass trying to get to the bottom of some mystery
or other. From a 21st century stand-point I don't think we will ever
truly understand why so many films were made involving large groups of
people moving from room to room in houses with hidden passageways,
moving paintings and, well, men in gorilla suits. But, they sure made a
lot of them in the 30's, so audiences must've liked them I guess.
In this one an immoral adventurer kills a sacred monkey in India. Once
back in the USA, he gathers a group of investors together to give them
the chance to obtain a fortune in gems from the Hindu temple. But
naturally, things are not what they seem.
Like pretty much all of these types of movies this one is nothing
great. It's creaky and obvious most of the time with only the killer
gorilla providing anything in the way of thrills. I can't really
recommend it exactly but if you've seem a few of these types of movies,
well, this one is more of the same I suppose.
0 out of 1 people found the following review useful:
A rather lame murder mystery, 7 June 2011
Author:
planktonrules from Bradenton, Florida
*** This review may contain spoilers ***
During the 1930s, there were quite a few spooky old house and murder
mystery films--so the bizarre plot of this turkey isn't all that
bizarre for the time. However, I call it a turkey because the film is
so badly made on so many levels--you can't help but laugh at the
ineptitude of the film makers and actors.
The film begins in Asia. A really stupid white guy not only invades the
sacred Temple of the Ape, but he killed one of the creatures there as
well. When he's confronted by the priest, the idiot basically says he
could care less about it. No wonder this jerk soon finds himself
cursed! Oddly, throughout this entire scene you see gorillas--yes,
African gorillas around the place. And, during the course of the film,
they appear again. No, not real gorillas but the lame 1930s guy in a
gorilla costume variety of gorillas.
I was surprised but the folks in the temple did not kill the idiot and
he soon returned home. Apparently, though, he appeared to believe in
the 'curse of Kali (oddly, pronounced 'Kay-lie'--though a teeny bit of
research would have shown them that this was the wrong pronunciation).
Now if you believe you are cursed and those around you are cursed, what
would you expect him to do? Yep, invite a whole bunch of folks to his
house and see them one after the other brutally murdered. And, if you
are one of the folks invited, you'd naturally stick around and just
wait to be murdered--at least in the stupid bizarro world!! In addition
to this awful plot (though it does have a bit of a nice twist near the
end), you have very, very bad acting and direction. A few of the
'actors' had trouble delivering their lines and two of the characters
were beyond poorly written. The insurance guy was a one-note obnoxious
jerk and the sickly lady just sounded like she could have used a good
rap in the mouth--both were incredibly annoying and seemed less real
than having Huckleberry Hound play their parts. The only character I
liked at all, and she WAY overplayed the role, was the grouchy old lady
with the henpecked husband--at least she was entertaining. But
otherwise, the best actor might just have been the guy in the gorilla
suit--it was THAT bad!
By the way, I was really torn by this film. Part of me wanted to give
it a well-deserved score of 2. But, the film did have one nice twist
and although bad, there are much worse films out there, so I'll be
generous and score it 3. Too bad I can't give it a 2.5!
1 out of 3 people found the following review useful:
Too Much Monkey Business, 2 August 2009
Author:
wes-connors from Earth
"The mansion of a retired adventurer is the scene of some mysterious
happenings, all apparently caused by the 'Curse of Kali'. The
authorities and the adventurer's relatives all end up caught in the
middle of these bizarre events, with plenty of suspicious characters to
choose from. It's going to take some clever detective work to uncover
the truth and bring those responsible to justice," according to the DVD
sleeve's synopsis. The film begins in 1913 Asia, where the Hindu curse
begins. Twenty years later, this connects with a group of investors
gathering at a spooky old mansion, to collect their share of the
Hindi's treasure. Supposedly, the Hindu curse resurfaces, claiming the
lives of greedy treasure-seekers. The curse manifests itself as a
stuffed gorilla (first seen in 1913 Asia) seems to come alive, and kill
people. "Pocahontas" is somehow involved. Honest Injun.
*** House of Mystery (3/30/34) William Nigh ~ Clay Clement, Ed Lowry,
Verna Hillie
0 out of 2 people found the following review useful:
Fair, 13 October 2008
Author:
Michael_Elliott from Louisville, KY
House of Mystery (1934)
** 1/2 (out of 4)
An adventurer kills a sacred monkey and soon a curse is put on him. He
returns to America and his share holders want their money but before he
returns it they must stay a week in his mansion where all sorts of
strange things are going on. This is yet another "old dark house" film
with another mystery and another deadly gorilla. As I've said countless
times before, I'm really not sure why everyone of these films had to
have a gorilla in it but I guess people in the 30s were terrified of
them. The cast of characters are pretty varied and fun including a
nerdy professor and his pushy wife. There's some light comedy thrown in
that works as well but the film mainly tries to work its mystery and it
does so to a nice effect. I think the screenplay is rather good and I
enjoyed how they added in the curse of the monkey. The gorilla outfit
doesn't look too bad but then again I might be saying this because I've
seen some really bad ones out there. Clay Clement does a very good job
in the lead and the supporting cast is fine.
Related Links
| Ratings | External reviews | Plot keywords |
| Main details | Your user reviews | Your vote history |
Copyright © 1990-2012
IMDb.com, Inc.
Terms and Privacy Policy under which this service is provided to you.
An 
company.