House of Usher (1960)

Upon entering his fiancée's family mansion, a man discovers a savage family curse and fears that his future brother-in-law has entombed his bride-to-be prematurely.

Director:

Roger Corman

Writers:

Edgar Allan Poe (based on "The Fall of The House of Usher"), Richard Matheson (screenplay)

Stars:

Vincent Price, Mark Damon, Myrna Fahey

Won 1 Golden Globe. Another 2 wins.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Vincent Price	...	Roderick Usher
Mark Damon	...	Philip Winthrop
Myrna Fahey	...	Madeline Usher
Harry Ellerbe	...	Bristol

Storyline

Philip Winthrop calls upon his fiancée, Madeline Usher, at her family home. His presence is unwelcome, especially to Madeline's brother, Roderick. Roderick explains that the Ushers are cursed, suffering from hereditary physical defects. By Madeline marrying Winthrop this would only likely continue the affliction. It soon becomes clear that something sinister is afoot: not only due to Roderick's determination to prevent Madeline from leaving but also due to the evil that seems to lurk in the house itself.

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Plot Keywords:

gothic horror | 19th century | national film registry | psychotronic film | curse | 

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Taglines:

Edgar Allan Poe's classic tale of the Ungodly...the Evil [House of Usher]

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Genres:

Drama | Horror

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Certificate:

Approved

Did You Know?

Trivia

In Spain this hadn't a theatrical release until 1983, 23 years later. The film was only released - with 1 copy - at first in Barcelona (July/83, Casablanca 2) for 33 days and later, in Madrid (August/83, Alphaville 3) for 4 weeks, only projected in a subtitled version. Also there was a re-release in Madrid in 2003 (Pequeño Cine Estudio) for 23 days, only in a subtitled version. The dubbed version was for VHS premiere (1984) and later was broadcast on TV premiere (1989).

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Goofs

When Madeline's coffin is taken to the crypt, the head of the coffin is to the viewer's right. In subsequent scenes, the coffin's head is to the viewer's left.

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Quotes

Roderick Usher: See to the crypt, will you?

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Alternate Versions

The original UK cinema version was cut by the BBFC to remove a shot of Madeline's bloodstained hands held to her face. All later versions were uncut.

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Connections

Referenced in Ban the Sadist Videos! (2005)

User Reviews

The ultimate dysfunctional family

"The House of Usher" oozes atmosphere through every nook and cranny. Vincent Price is superb as Roderick Usher, the extremely protective brother of Madeline Usher (Myrna Fahey). When Philip Winthrop (Mark Damon), Madeline's suitor, comes to call, he learns of the family's legacy of madness and death.

Roger Corman's adaptation of the Edgar Allan Poe story is alternately beautiful and terrifying, with grandiose views of the house's interiors, a fantastic dream sequence that was well ahead of its time in 1960, and colorful images that seem to leap from the screen.

But Corman's direction would be meaningless without the powerful performance of Vincent Price, who fits the tortured role of Roderick like a corpse fits a casket.

Details

Official Sites:

MGM Studios [United States]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 September 1960 (Japan)

Also Known As:

The Fall of the House of Usher

Filming Locations:

California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$200,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Alta Vista Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

79 min

Sound Mix:

Mono Mono (Ryder Sound Services)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1