The Haunting (1963)

A scientist doing research on the paranormal invites two women to a haunted mansion. One of the participants soon starts losing her mind.

Director:

Robert Wise

Writers:

Nelson Gidding (screenplay), Shirley Jackson (based on the novel: "The Haunting of Hill House")

Stars:

Julie Harris, Claire Bloom, Richard Johnson

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 1 nomination.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Julie Harris	...	Eleanor Lance
Claire Bloom	...	Theodora
Richard Johnson	...	Dr. John Markway
Russ Tamblyn	...	Luke Sanderson
Fay Compton	...	Mrs. Sanderson
Rosalie Crutchley	...	Mrs. Dudley
Lois Maxwell	...	Grace Markway
Valentine Dyall	...	Mr. Dudley
Diane Clare	...	Carrie Fredericks
Ronald Adam	...	Eldridge Harper

Storyline

Dr. Markway, doing research to prove the existence of ghosts, investigates Hill House, a large, eerie mansion with a lurid history of violent death and insanity. With him are the skeptical young Luke, who stands to inherit the house, the mysterious and clairvoyant Theodora and the insecure Eleanor, whose psychic abilities make her feel somehow attuned to whatever spirits inhabit the old mansion. As time goes by it becomes obvious that they have gotten more than they bargained for as the ghostly presence in the house manifests itself in horrific and deadly ways.

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Plot Keywords:

haunted house | gothic horror | supernatural horror | parapsychology | mansion | 

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Taglines:

At Hill House The Dead Don't Stay Quiet!

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Genres:

Horror

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Certificate:

G

Details

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 August 1963 (Japan)

Also Known As:

La casa embrujada

Filming Locations:

Alderminster, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$1,400,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$2,616,000

Company Credits

Production Co:

Argyle Enterprises

Technical Specs

Runtime:

112 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In the 50th issue of Scarlet Street magazine, Julie Harris revealed that she wished she could go back and play the character differently. "Well, I would've been odder looking as Eleanor," she said. "I think she was too ordinary. I just wanted to be -- odder."

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Goofs

When Nell leaves the Boston garage, we can see through her car's back window that there are two English policemen standing on a street corner.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Dr. John Markway: [voice-over] An evil old house, the kind some people call haunted, is like an undiscovered country waiting to be explored. Hill House had stood for 90 years and might stand for 90 more. Silence lay steadily against the wood and stone of Hill House, and whatever walked there... walked alone.

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Connections

Referenced in The Zombie Horror Picture Show (2014)

User Reviews

one of the best haunted house movies if not the best

This is one of the best haunted house movies where you actually don't see the ghosts, you just hear them, and you wonder whether they're really there or just the people's imigination. The movie is about four people who go to spend a weekend at a well known haunted house and experience some real bumps in the night! Excellent acting and direction not to mention the creepy music. Highly recommended. they should make more movies like this! Hopefully the remake will good as well