The Old Dark House
1932, Comedy/Horror, 1h 11m
27 Reviews 2,500+ RatingsWhat to know
critics consensus
A deft blend of well-chosen ingredients, The Old Dark House is a delightfully scary horror comedy that benefits from James Whale's suspenseful direction. Read critic reviews
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Movie Info
Cast & Crew
Morgan
Penderel
Sir William Porterhouse
Margaret Waverton
Gladys
Horace Femm
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Critic Reviews for The Old Dark House
All Critics (27) | Top Critics (7) | Fresh (26) | Rotten (1)
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Spanking digital restoration of James Whale's funniest, most subversive horror film.
April 27, 2018 | Rating: 5/5 | Full Review… -
A chilling romp - expertly orchestrated scares with a humorous camp undertow.
April 27, 2018 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review… -
It is performed with tremendous gusto and theatrical dash.
April 27, 2018 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review… -
A titter-inducing drawing-room farce (but deliberately so).
April 26, 2018 | Rating: 5/5 | Full Review… -
A lost minor classic. Go and rediscover.
April 25, 2018 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review… -
The film is funny and blood-curdling by turns.
April 25, 2018 | Rating: 5/5 | Full Review…
Audience Reviews for The Old Dark House
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Jan 29, 2020James Whale directs this character-driven piece about travelers stranded off the beaten path in a weird old house with some serious history. It's not uninteresting, and the characters only seem outdated. Charles Laughton for instance, plays a regular businessman, and not the grotesque these works usually have him play. And the great Karloff? A grunting red herring from the moment we first see him.Kevin M. W Super Reviewer
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Aug 03, 2018The humor is irregular, the tension almost nonexistent and the characters flat as they can be (some even falling in love after having just met!), and so this is amusing enough but didn't age very well, worthy only for those delightful performances by Ernest Thesiger and Eva Moore.Carlos M Super Reviewer
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Feb 21, 2013Its got a hulking Boris Karloff, a shouting Charles Laughton, and a sassy Melvyn Douglas . . . what's not to like? It feels a bit rushed and perhaps there is some wasted potential but I enjoyed it all the same.Alec B Super Reviewer
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Sep 23, 2010Ah yes, nothing like an old school black and white spooky mansion film. Going back to basics in other words, this is more of a character driven film, with fast and snappy dialogues, very dialogue driven indeed. Thanks to the cast of actors like Melvyn Douglas and Charles Laughton, as well as some truly great character actors, the movie doesn't really needs big spooks to keep you engaged.Tsubaki S Super Reviewer
The Old Dark House Quotes
Sir William Porterhouse: | Once you started making money it's hard to stop, especially if you're like me. there isn't much else you're good at. |
Margaret Waverton: | For now heaven's sake stop, let's look at a map or something. |
Roger Penderell: | My own view is we're not on a map. |
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