House of the Long Shadows (1983)

An American writer goes to a remote Welsh manor on a twenty thousand dollar bet: can he write a classic novel like "Wuthering Heights" in twenty-four hours? Upon his arrival, however, the ... See full summary »

Director:

Pete Walker

Writers:

Michael Armstrong (screenplay), Earl Derr Biggers (novel)

Stars:

Vincent Price, Christopher Lee, Peter Cushing

2 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Vincent Price	...	Lionel Grisbane
Christopher Lee	...	Corrigan
Peter Cushing	...	Sebastian Grisbane
Desi Arnaz Jr.	...	Kenneth Magee (as Desi Arnaz)
John Carradine	...	Lord Elijah Grisbane
Sheila Keith	...	Victoria Grisbane
Julie Peasgood	...	Mary Norton
Richard Todd	...	Sam Allyson
Louise English	...	Diana Caulder
Richard Hunter	...	Andrew Caulder
Norman Rossington	...	Station Master

Storyline

An American writer goes to a remote Welsh manor on a twenty thousand dollar bet: can he write a classic novel like "Wuthering Heights" in twenty-four hours? Upon his arrival, however, the writer discovers that the manor, thought empty, actually has several, rather odd, inhabitants.

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Plot Keywords:

horror comedy | secret identity | father son relationship | family patriarch | melting face | 

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Taglines:

Step Into The House Of The Long Shadows Where The Answer Awaits You - Or Does It?

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Genres:

Comedy | Horror | Mystery

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

April 1984 (USA)

Also Known As:

House of Long Shadows

Filming Locations:

Rotherfield Park, East Tisted, Alton, Hampshire, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$7,500,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

London-Cannon Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

102 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Elsa Lanchester was going to play Victoria Quimby/Grisbane, but was too ill to make the trip to London.

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Goofs

[All goofs for this title are spoilers.]

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Quotes

Stationmaster: It is a cursed place.
Kenneth Magee: I'm sure it's drenched in evil.
Stationmaster: A cursed place.
Kenneth Magee: Filled with things best not spoken of. Yes, I saw the movie. You do know how to get there?

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Connections

Version of Seven Keys to Baldpate (1929)

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Soundtracks

Pace, pace mio Dio!
(uncredited)
From "La Forza del Destino" by Giuseppe Verdi
Murdered by Sheila Keith

User Reviews

A unique film - just forget about its weaknesses!

This is a horror film aficianado's dream - the only time that Peter Cushing, John Carradine, Christopher Lee and Vincent Price appeared in the same film and the same scenes together!

Forget about the ponderous build-up to the appearance of the stars and the lamentable arrogance of Desi Arnaz Jr. in a forgettable role (he can't hold a torch to the acting abilities of his famous co-stars!). The cliched surroundings of a dark, haunted house can also be criticised; but this is the ideal platform for the horror greats on show to perform in a typically professional fashion.

Peter Cushing's drunken characterization is very well done and Vincent Price's grand dialogue is reeled off in an extremely believable way. Christopher Lee's role is also enjoyably wooden and in the mould that we have come to expect over the years!

The film is guilty of faulty pacing - the start is slow but the execution of murders later in the film comes relentlessly and with little subtlety in thought or execution. However, the sole purpose of the film is to provide a horrific who-dunnit in an old-fashioned way with the top stars of the genre!

The ending also ensures that the viewer is never quite confident that the story's resolution has been provided.

Not a masterpiece by any means , but a fitting tribute to the stars in the horror field, who have entertained us so much in the past and will continue to do so in the future!