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House on Haunted Hill

  • 1959
  • Not Rated
  • 1h 15m
IMDb RATING
6.8/10
29K
YOUR RATING
Vincent Price and Carolyn Craig in House on Haunted Hill (1959)
Watch Trailer
Play trailer1:40
1 Video
99+ Photos
CrimeHorrorMystery

A millionaire offers $10,000 to five people who agree to be locked in a large, spooky, rented house overnight with him and his wife.A millionaire offers $10,000 to five people who agree to be locked in a large, spooky, rented house overnight with him and his wife.A millionaire offers $10,000 to five people who agree to be locked in a large, spooky, rented house overnight with him and his wife.

  • Director
    • William Castle
  • Writer
    • Robb White
  • Stars
    • Vincent Price
    • Carol Ohmart
    • Richard Long
  • See production, box office & company info
  • IMDb RATING
    6.8/10
    29K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • William Castle
    • Writer
      • Robb White
    • Stars
      • Vincent Price
      • Carol Ohmart
      • Richard Long
    • 302User reviews
    • 111Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Videos1

    Trailer
    Trailer 1:40
    Watch Trailer

    Photos586

    Elisha Cook Jr. in House on Haunted Hill (1959)
    House on Haunted Hill (1959)
    Vincent Price in House on Haunted Hill (1959)
    House on Haunted Hill (1959)
    House on Haunted Hill (1959)
    House on Haunted Hill (1959)
    House on Haunted Hill (1959)
    House on Haunted Hill (1959)
    House on Haunted Hill (1959)
    House on Haunted Hill (1959)
    Elisha Cook Jr., Carolyn Craig, Richard Long, and Julie Mitchum in House on Haunted Hill (1959)
    Vincent Price in House on Haunted Hill (1959)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Vincent Price
    Vincent Price
    • Frederick Loren
    Carol Ohmart
    Carol Ohmart
    • Annabelle Loren
    Richard Long
    Richard Long
    • Lance Schroeder
    Alan Marshal
    Alan Marshal
    • Dr. David Trent
    Carolyn Craig
    Carolyn Craig
    • Nora Manning
    Elisha Cook Jr.
    Elisha Cook Jr.
    • Watson Pritchard
    • (as Elisha Cook)
    Julie Mitchum
    Julie Mitchum
    • Ruth Bridges
    Leona Anderson
    Leona Anderson
    • Mrs. Slydes
    Howard Hoffman
    Howard Hoffman
    • Jonas
    Skeleton
    Skeleton
    • Skeleton
    • Director
      • William Castle
    • Writer
      • Robb White
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      William Castle: [gimmick] Used a gimmick called "Emergo" in theaters. When the skeleton rises from the acid vat in the film, a lighted plastic skeleton on a wire appeared from a black box next to the screen to swoop over the heads of the audience. The skeleton would then be pulled back into the box as the skeleton in the film is "reeled in". Many theaters soon stopped using this "effect" because when the local boys heard about it, they would bring slingshots to the theater; when the skeleton started its journey, they would pull out their slingshots and fire at it with stones, BBs, ball bearings and whatever else they could find.
    • Goofs
      Lance locks his door from the inside with a deadbolt, after the Doctor calls everybody to the meeting, and leaves through Nora's door. When they return from the meeting, he opens his unlocked door from the outside.
    • Quotes

      Frederick Loren: Don't stay up thinking of ways to get rid of me, it makes wrinkles.

    • Crazy credits
      The end title credits list "Skeleton - By Himself".
    • Alternate versions
      When shown in "Emergo", there was a short scene showing brick wall for the skeleton to "emerge".
    • Connections
      Edited into FrightMare Theater: House on Haunted Hill (2022)
    • Soundtracks
      Theme 'House on Haunted Hill'
      by Richard Kayne and Richard Loring

    User reviews302

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    8/10
    Vincent Price is outstanding
    Vincent Price plays Frederick Loren, an eccentric millionaire that invites five very different people to a haunted house for a party, and offers them $10,000 if they can stay the night... This film benefits emphatically from the presence of the legendary Vincent Price. As usual, Price gives a commanding performance and completely steals every scene he's in. Price is undoubtedly the star of the show, but he's not the only star in the show; Elisha Cook in particular gives excellent support playing the wimpy owner of the house; much the same character that he played in the Kubrick masterpiece; 'The Killing'. The rest of the cast is largely made up of unknowns and b-grade actors, but they also all perform to relatively high standards in their respective roles.

    House on Haunted Hill's best feature other than the legendary Vincent Price, is undoubtedly the atmosphere of the house. Throughout the movie, there is an abundant sense of dread that is perpetually present and it serves the film well in that it brings the house to life; at every point in the movie, the audience is made to believe that there is something unseen in the house that will cause bad things to happen; and this is obviously exactly what a haunted house film needs. The film is very creepy in that way. That's not to say that this film is without its flaws; at times, the plot meanders and as the film only has a 75 minute running time, that's not good. It can also become a little dull at times as there isn't always a lot going on. This is, however, somewhat combated by the acting performances and defined characters as they usually manage to keep it at least interesting, if not enthralling throughout. House on Haunted Hill is topped off by a brilliant double twist, and it is also given certain originality by that also, although the twists do beg the question of whether or not the film has an appropriate title. The walking skeleton is hilarious, though and worth watching film for alone.

    Overall, House on Haunted Hill is a lovely little b movie; it's creative, it's atmospheric and it stars Vincent Price. Highly recommended viewing, especially for horror fans. Definitely not recommended for anyone though, is the dire 1999 remake of this film, and the equally appalling remake of William Castle's other ghost story; '13 Ghosts'.
    helpful•63
    13
    • The_Void
    • Jul 25, 2004

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    FAQ8

    • What is 'House on Haunted Hill' about?
    • Is "House on Haunted Hill" based on a book?
    • What house was used for the opening scenes of the guests arriving?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • February 17, 1959 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • The House on Haunted Hill
    • Filming locations
      • Ennis House - 2607 Glendower Avenue, Los Feliz, Los Angeles, California, USA(exterior views of the house only)
    • Production companies
      • Allied Artists Pictures
      • William Castle Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

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    • Budget
      • $200,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • Runtime
      1 hour 15 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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