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House By the River (1950)

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Average Rating: N/A
Critic Reviews: 4
Fresh: 4 | Rotten: 0

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Release Date: Jan 1, 1950 Wide

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Average Rating: 3.5/5
User Ratings: 724

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Movie Info

Fritz Lang was the guiding hand of this laudable Republic Studios melodrama. Louis Hayward stars as a wealthy wastrel who tries to seduce the family maid. She resists, and he kills her. Long jealous of his brother Lee Bowman, Hayward does his best to pin the blame for the murder on his sibling. Also affected by Hayward's arrogant dementia is his long-suffering wife Jane Wyatt. Originally, director Lang had proposed that the unfortunate maid be a black woman, and that the killing take place

Unrated, 1 hr. 28 min.

Drama, Horror, Classics

Directed By: Fritz Lang

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1950 Wide

On DVD: Nov 22, 2005

Cast

Louis Hayward
Stephen Byrne
Lee Bowman
John Byrne
Jane Wyatt
Marjorie Byrne
Dorothy Patrick
Emily Gaunt
Ann Shoemaker
Mrs. Ambrose
Jo Gilbert
Flora Bantam
Peter Brocco
Coroner
Howland Chamberlain
District Attorney
Margaret Seddon
Mrs. Whittaker
Sarah Padden
Mrs. Beach
Kathleen Freeman
Effie Ferguson
Will Wright
Inspector Sarten
Leslie Kimmell
Mr. Gaunt
Effie Laird
Mrs. Gaunt

Critic Reviews for House By the River

All Critics (9) | Top Critics (2) | Fresh (6) | Rotten (0) | DVD (6)

The shoestring budget both heightens the director's frustrations and frees his obsessions

February 12, 2010 Full Review Source: CinePassion

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Fernando F. Croce

CinePassion

It pits good brother against bad brother.

February 18, 2007 Full Review Source: Ozus' World Movie Reviews

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Dennis Schwartz

Ozus' World Movie Reviews

Beautifully made thriller

August 22, 2006 Full Review Source: Classic Film and Television

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Michael E. Grost

Classic Film and Television

The clean-up job is serviceable but this is a rare Lang that's probably seen in any condition than in no condition at all.

December 7, 2005 Full Review Source: Slant Magazine

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Ed Gonzalez

Slant Magazine

Lang builds the film's routine melodrama into a snappy commentary on moral depravity and eye-for-an-eye retribution.

December 7, 2005 Full Review Source: Slant Magazine

| Comment

Ed Gonzalez

Slant Magazine

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Audience Reviews for House By the River

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little seen and low budget gothic thriller with louis hayward in a standout performance as a would be novelist and all around sleaze who accidentally kills his maid while making advances to her. instead of reporting it, he talks his reluctant brother into helping him dump the body in the river. big mistake. the film

August 16, 2011