The Maze (1953)

A Scotsman abruptly breaks off his engagement to pretty Kitty and moves to his uncle's castle in the Scottish highlands. Kitty and her aunt follow Gerald a few weeks later, and discover he ... See full summary »

Director:

William Cameron Menzies

Writers:

Daniel B. Ullman (written for the screen by), Maurice Sandoz (novel)

Stars:

Richard Carlson, Veronica Hurst, Katherine Emery

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Richard Carlson	...	Gerald MacTeam
Veronica Hurst	...	Kitty Murray
Katherine Emery	...	Edith Murray
Michael Pate	...	William
John Dodsworth	...	Dr. Bert Dilling
Hillary Brooke	...	Peggy Lord
Stanley Fraser	...	Robert
Lilian Bond	...	Margaret Dilling (as Lillian Bond)
Owen McGiveney	...	Simon
Robin Hughes	...	Richard Roblar

Storyline

A Scotsman abruptly breaks off his engagement to pretty Kitty and moves to his uncle's castle in the Scottish highlands. Kitty and her aunt follow Gerald a few weeks later, and discover he has suddenly aged. Some mysterious things happen in a maze made from the hedges adjoining the castle.

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Plot Keywords:

castle | maze | man beast | 3 dimensional | based on novel

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Taglines:

The shocking chills of the sensational suspense novel leap from the screen... in 3 Dimension

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Genres:

Horror | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 July 1953 (USA)

Also Known As:

Il labirinto

Filming Locations:

Monogram/Allied Artists Studios - 1725 Fleming Street, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Allied Artists Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

80 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This was to be the second 3-D film designed and directed by William Cameron Menzies. Contrary to some opinion, there is no evidence to substantiate that his previous film, Invaders from Mars, was designed nor planned for for 3-D, and certainly was not shot in this process. Menzies, who was known as a director with a very "dimensional" style (eg. many shots are focused in layers), only directed one other 3-D film previous to this: "Fun in the Sun," a short that was shot for the aborted Sol Lesser production, "The 3-D Follies". This would be his final film as production designer and director.

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Goofs

Kitty and Edith's rooms in the castle have their windows blocked with stone. That is shown in a shot of Kitty's room the night they arrived. The only light sources are candles and the fireplaces. Yet, in the morning, both bedrooms are bathed in light as if the sun were streaming in through these blocked windows.

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Connections

Referenced in Hollywood Boulevard (1976)

User Reviews

Bride-to-be investigates her prospective husband when he cuts himself off at an eerie Scottish castle

Unnecessarily told in flashback by an aunt of the bride-to-be (Veronica Hurst), this mood piece is rather lethargically paced at times but does have some genuinely chilling sequences, an eerie setting, interesting set design (William Cameron Menzies) and some suspense.

Richard Carlson and Hurst are to be married when he is summoned to the Scottish castle of his uncle. When he stays there, Hurst and auntie (Katherine Emery) show up to investigate. Carlson insists they leave. Hurst pluckily stays on because she loves Carlson, who has strangely aged. She wants to discover the dark secret of the castle.

Michael Pate, the semi-cooperative butler, provides support. Later in the movie, Hillary Brooke appears briefly. She's always interesting, but here she has little to do.

The emphasis is on mood, setting, and suspenseful plot turns, not character. An unusual stairway and hallways set the tone. It's not up to Baron Frankenstein's castle in Son of Frankenstein, but it's a genuine and unpretentious effort with decent results. The doors that are 15 feet high adorned with huge locks and keys add to the scenery. Being locked up at night creates a natural tension and curiosity to get out and see what's going on.