***Not released on VHS or DVD.
Length of film: 80 Minutes
Rated: X
Genre: Drama, Mystery, Horror
Director: William Cameron Menzies
Starring: Richard Carlson, Veronica Hurst, Katherine Emery, Michael Pate
IMDB Rank: 5.8/ 10
Part 1 Time: 49 Minutes
Part 2 Time: 31 Minutes
*** Released as a 3D film, thus a built in intermission was needed to reload the dual-projector setup.
Where does the first part end? Kitty (Kitty Murray) insists that Bert Dilling (John Dodsworth) see Gerald (Richard Carlson), due to his odd behaviour. Kitty and Aunt Edith (Katherine Emery) speak about whether or not the gardener sent the letter to Kitty’s friends. If he did then the friends will arrive later in the day.
Final line of dialogue on the first part: “But if he didn’t, we’ll have to leave tomorrow,” states Kitty.
First line of dialogue on the second part: Kitty’s friends arrive at Craven Castle with Richard Roblar (Robin Hughes) stating; “Well, lovely old place, isn’t it?”
How jarring is it when the first part ends? Minimal/Somewhat, Gerald is showing strange behaviour ever since he has inherited his uncles estate and keeps insisting that Kitty and Aunt Edith leave immediately. Aunt Edith believes something is being -concealed in the castle, but Kitty is sceptical and wants to wait until her friends arrive. Will Kitty’s friends respond to the invitation?
Which part is better? Although part two includes the film’s most suspenseful sequence in the visually striking maze, part one showcases the eerie Gothic atmosphere of Craven Castle, as well as the psychological build up surrounding Gerald (which becomes more unsettling as his appearance and behaviour gradually changes). The climax of the film is bizarre and unsatisfying, which undercuts the tension that builds throughout the first half. As a result part one is the better of the two.
Academy Awards: None
THEATRICAL POSTER
BLU-RAY COVER
Hollywood Half-Time 