House of Usher (1960)

User Rating:

7.0/10   

Director:

Roger Corman

Writers:

Richard Matheson (writer)
Edgar Allan Poe (story)

Release Date:

22 June 1960 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Horror | Thriller

Tagline:

Edgar Allan Poe's overwhelming tale of EVIL & TORMENT

Plot:

After a long journey, Philip arrives at the Usher mansion seeking his loved one, Madeline. Upon arriving...

Plot Keywords:

Curse | Death | Mansion | Cult Director | Grave

Awards:

2 wins

Cast

Vincent Price	...	Roderick Usher
Mark Damon	...	Philip Winthrop
Myrna Fahey	...	Madeline Usher
Harry Ellerbe	...	Bristol
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Eleanor LeFaber	...	Ghost
Ruth Oklander	...	Ghost
Géraldine Paulette	...	Ghost

Also Known As:

The Fall of the House of Usher (UK) (USA) (alternative title)
The Mysterious House of Usher (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

79 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Iceland:16 | Norway:(Banned) (1960 - 1974) | Netherlands:16 (DVD rating) | UK:15 | Argentina:16 | Finland:K-16 | Norway:16 (1974) | USA:Unrated | Australia:PG | UK:X (original rating) | Canada:PG

Filming Locations:

California, USA

Company:

Alta Vista Productions

Trivia:

Roger Corman learned that there was an old barn in Orange County, CA, that was about to be demolished. He was able to strike a deal that would allow him to burn the barn at night and film it. The resulting footage was so good that it was used not only in the climax of this film but in later "Poe" films as well.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: As Phillip leaves his room to go to supper you hear the house start to rumble and it shows the hallway shaking,you can tell that this is done by having the camera moved around as the candles and other miscellaneous items in the hall don't move at all.

Quotes:

Philip Winthrop: [as the house starts to rumble] Don't you think that crack in the wall should be repaired?
Roderick Usher: For future generations of ushers?
Philip Winthrop: For Madeline’s safety.
Philip Winthrop: While I was riding here I noticed a singular lack of vegetation, is there something wrong with the soil?
Roderick Usher: The soil?
Madeline Usher: Roderick please!
Roderick Usher: [looking at Madeline] As you wish.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "HBO First Look: The Haunting (#6.6)" (1999)

Tainted bloodline. Creepy thriller.

Director Roger Corman does his thing with a classic piece from Edgar Allan Poe. A visually fantastic production. A tense and moody horror tale of a young Bostonian (Mark Damon)traveling to the Usher family mansion to collect his beautiful bride-to-be(Myrna Fahey). The eager suitor is told by her brother(Vincent Price)that the family's blood has been cursed and he should rethink a marriage.

The mansion, surroundings and atmosphere bring a chill. The evasive Price is very convincing in his role as doting brother and master of the house. Great spooky movie to watch on a rainy night.