The House in Nightmare Park (1973)

In 1907, an actor is invited to perform in an isolated country house, and becomes involved in mysterious and dangerous events.

Director:

Peter Sykes

Writers:

Clive Exton (original screenplay), Terry Nation (original screenplay)

Stars:

Frankie Howerd, Ray Milland, Hugh Burden

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Frankie Howerd	...	Foster
Ray Milland	...	Stewart
Hugh Burden	...	Reggie
Kenneth Griffith	...	Ernest
John Bennett	...	Patel
Rosalie Crutchley	...	Jessica
Ruth Dunning	...	Agnes
Elizabeth MacLennan	...	Verity
Aimée Delamain	...	Mother
Peter Munt	...	Cabbie

Storyline

In 1907, an actor is invited to perform in an isolated country house, and becomes involved in mysterious and dangerous events.

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Plot Keywords:

psychotronic film | family of killers | insane woman | old dark mansion | killer family | 

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Taglines:

Ladies and Gentlemen - For You Horrification - Don't See It Alone - Bring The Children

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Genres:

Comedy | Horror | Mystery | Thriller

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Did You Know?

Trivia

The film got reissued in the UK on a double-bill with It Can Be Done Amigo (1972) (aka The Big and the Bad) starring Bud Spencer and Jack Palance.

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Goofs

During the breakfast scene, when the family is leaving the table, Frankie is holding a fork in front of him. Next shot looking over his shoulder, the fork is next to the plate and he picks the fork up.

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Quotes

[commenting on the table wine]
Foster Twelvetrees: It's a bit dry for my taste. I prefer it a bit... wetter.

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Soundtracks

Dance of the Dolls
(uncredited)
Music by Harry Robertson
Lyrics by Clive Exton and Terry Nation

User Reviews

Howerd's not quite Bob Hope, but .......

I have seen this film, or movie if you prefer, on a couple of occasions and found it very entertaining.

Critics of the film have over the years said it would have been so much better with Bob Hope in the lead role, but this is surely the kind of role that Hope, albeit very effectively, played to excess through his career? so its nice to see another actor have a stab at a 'Hope-esque' role.

Howerd breezes through the film delivering his lines with a 'poker' face, as only he could, and seems to be rather enjoying the experience. I would say that this is one of his more engaging performances.

Some scenes are superbly weird, especially the family's 'living marionette' act, at the end of which Howerd asks in his memorable diction "I wonder what they do for an encore?"

Watching this film is a very passable way of spending a couple of hours!

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

September 1977 (USA)

Also Known As:

The House in Nightmare Park

Filming Locations:

Oakley Court, Windsor Road, Oakley Green, Windsor, Berkshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Anglo-EMI Film Distributors, Associated London Films, Extonation Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1