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IMDbPro

The Old Dark House

  • 19321932
  • PassedPassed
  • 1h 12m
IMDb RATING
7.0/10
12K
YOUR RATING
Boris Karloff and Gloria Stuart in The Old Dark House (1932)
Official Trailer
Play trailer1:54
2 Videos
99+ Photos
AdventureComedyDrama
Seeking shelter from a storm, five travelers are in for a bizarre and terrifying night when they stumble upon the Femm family estate.Seeking shelter from a storm, five travelers are in for a bizarre and terrifying night when they stumble upon the Femm family estate.Seeking shelter from a storm, five travelers are in for a bizarre and terrifying night when they stumble upon the Femm family estate.
IMDb RATING
7.0/10
12K
YOUR RATING
    • James Whale
    • J.B. Priestley(from the novel by)
    • Benn W. Levy(screen play)
    • R.C. Sherriff(additional dialogue)
  • Stars
    • Boris Karloff
    • Melvyn Douglas
    • Charles Laughton
    • James Whale
    • J.B. Priestley(from the novel by)
    • Benn W. Levy(screen play)
    • R.C. Sherriff(additional dialogue)
  • Stars
    • Boris Karloff
    • Melvyn Douglas
    • Charles Laughton
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 168User reviews
    • 116Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards

    Videos2

    The Old Dark House
    Trailer 1:54
    Watch The Old Dark House
    The Old Dark House - 4K Restoration Trailer
    Trailer 1:58
    Watch The Old Dark House - 4K Restoration Trailer

    Photos126

    Gloria Stuart, Melvyn Douglas, and Lilian Bond in The Old Dark House (1932)
    Boris Karloff and Gloria Stuart in The Old Dark House (1932)
    Boris Karloff and Gloria Stuart in The Old Dark House (1932)
    "Old Dark House, The" Boris Karloff 1932 Universal
    The Old Dark House (1932)
    Boris Karloff, Charles Laughton, Gloria Stuart, Melvyn Douglas, Ernest Thesiger, and Brember Wills in The Old Dark House (1932)
    Boris Karloff and Gloria Stuart in The Old Dark House (1932)
    Boris Karloff and Lilian Bond in The Old Dark House (1932)
    Eva Moore in The Old Dark House (1932)
    Ernest Thesiger in The Old Dark House (1932)
    Ernest Thesiger in The Old Dark House (1932)
    Boris Karloff and Brember Wills in The Old Dark House (1932)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Boris Karloff
    Boris Karloff
    • Morgan
    Melvyn Douglas
    Melvyn Douglas
    • Penderel
    Charles Laughton
    Charles Laughton
    • Sir William Porterhouse
    Gloria Stuart
    Gloria Stuart
    • Margaret Waverton
    Lilian Bond
    Lilian Bond
    • Gladys
    • (as Lillian Bond)
    Ernest Thesiger
    Ernest Thesiger
    • Horace Femm
    Eva Moore
    Eva Moore
    • Rebecca Femm
    Raymond Massey
    Raymond Massey
    • Philip Waverton
    Elspeth Dudgeon
    Elspeth Dudgeon
    • Sir Roderick Femm
    • (as John Dudgeon)
    Brember Wills
    Brember Wills
    • Saul Femm
      • James Whale
      • J.B. Priestley(from the novel by)
      • Benn W. Levy(screen play)
      • R.C. Sherriff(additional dialogue) (uncredited)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      This was Boris Karloff's first credited starring role. His name had been left off the Frankenstein (1931) publicity packages and only credited in the end credits of that film.
    • Goofs
      One of Gloria Stuart's elaborate earrings is missing about mid-film, it reappears for 2 close up shots and disappears again in medium and long shots.
    • Quotes

      [repeated line]

      Horace Femm: Have a potato.

    • Crazy credits
      Before the Universal Pictures logo: PRODUCER'S NOTE: - Karloff, the mad butler in this production, is the same Karloff who created the part of the mechanical monster in "Frankenstein". We explain this to settle all disputes in advance, even though such disputes are a tribute to his great versatility
    • Connections
      Edited into Pale Moonlight Theater: The Old Dark House (2015)
    • Soundtracks
      Singin' in the Rain
      (1929) (uncredited)

      Music by Nacio Herb Brown

      Lyrics by Arthur Freed

      Sung by Melvyn Douglas a cappella, with modified lyrics

    User reviews168

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    10/10
    The Best of the Golden Oldies of Horror
    I have to say that I have loved this movie since I saw it Fifty years ago, and it was a revival, even then. It is certainly, in my book, the best film James Whale ever made, and if you see it on a good print, it stands up very well. The setting of the Old House on a dark rainy night is brilliantly done and the mood is held all the way through. The cast is excellent headed By Boris Karloff as the sometimes out-of-control Morgan, and Charles Laughton is a delight in his very off-beat role. Raymond Massey and Melvyn Douglas both contribute to the fun as does Gloria Stuart, but the creme-de-la-creme comes from Emma Dunn and Ernest Thesiger as the Femms - who can ever forget Mrs. Femm saying "No beds, you can't have beds!", or Mr. Femm offering the guests at meal time "Have a Potato". The remake many years later is an insult to this film, and should not be shown anywhere. Look everywhere you can to try and get a copy of this 1932 masterpiece.
    helpful•79
    12
    • dougandwin
    • Jul 28, 2004

    FAQ7

    • Is "The Old Dark House" based on a book?
    • I watched the whole movie and never saw Boris Karloff. What role does he play?
    • How do the Wavertons come to stay at the old dark house?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 20, 1932 (United States)
      • United States
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Universal Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

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    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • 1 hour 12 minutes
      • Black and White

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