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) (as Dan Ullman), 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.

---

Plot Keywords:

giant frog | female protagonist | giant toad | manor | fiance fiancee relationship | 

---

Taglines:

ALL THE CHILLS OF A GREAT SUSPENSE NOVEL LEAP FROM THE SCREEN! (original ad - all caps)

---

Genres:

Drama | Fantasy | Horror | Mystery | Sci-Fi

---

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 Sound System) 3 Channel Stereo (35mm Full Coat Mag Interlock)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The plot may have been inspired by a legend associated with Scotland's Glamis Castle, the ancestral home of the House of Bowes-Lyon. According to the legend, a rightful heir to leadership of the noble house was born horribly deformed, and the Bowes-Lyon family told the outside world he had died at birth. He was then kept sequestered in a secret part of the castle until his death from old age, while the next-born eligible heir took his place in the succession to family leadership.

---

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.

---

Connections

Referenced in 3-D Rarities (2015)

User Reviews

Great Atmosphere and Look but the Story Just Doesn't Work

The Maze (1953)

** (out of 4)

When her fiancé Gerald (Richard Carlson) leaves before their wedding with no real answer, Kitty (Veronica Hurst) and her aunt (Katherine Emery) follow him to his family's estate in Scotland. Once there the women discover that Gerald has aged for some reason and soon they realize that there's even more family secrets. THE MAZE is a hard film to judge because it contains some very good stuff but the problem is that the story itself is just boring and really drawn out for no good reason. The film features some terrific performances as well as a haunting atmosphere and these here make it worth sitting through. Director William Cameron Menzies (INVADERS FROM MARS) does a wonderful job building up the creepy atmosphere of the old castle. From the opening shots of the fog thick outside to the staircase with all the spider webs. The director really makes one believe you're in this location and he also puts the maze (much like the one later seen in THE SHINING) to good use. He also handles the B&W cinematography very well as the film looks terrific and the use of shadows is well done. Carlson turns in a good performance in the lead and I though both Hurst and Emery were good. The supporting players are good as well so with all of this what's the problem? The screenplay is incredibly weak and it just doesn't go anywhere. Gerald asks the women to leave. They tell a lie to where they can stay an extra day. They discuss what could possibly be happened. These three steps repeat themselves over and over and it's just really boring. I won't give away the secret but when it's finally revealed you really can't help but laugh. The effect of this reveal is also rather laughable. The film was originally shot in 3-D but watching the standard version I really didn't see anything that would really jump out. THE MAZE is an interesting film with a lot going for it but sadly most of the good stuff was just wasted.