Anothology of haunted houses (and other buildings) in cinema

House on Haunted Hill (1959), by William Castle

The original version of House on Haunted Hill, exemplifies the best of William Castle; a director that preceded Roger Corman in his quest for cheap enjoyable entertainment, and another true master of horror.

The House on Haunted Hill presents, probably for the first time, one group of strangers gathered by one eccentric character to pass one night in one haunted house. Obviously there is one prize and, of course, one price.

One special comment needs the use of Ennis House [*] as the location for the film. There can be no doubt that Frank Lloyd Wright's house become one of the main character, just as important as any of the human ones, including the great, magnificient, Vincent Price.

See a great series of screen captures at The Obscure Hollow.

 

13 Ghosts (1960), by William Castle

Another of Castle's artifacts of horror, without any other aim than to entertain.

It suffered too from a 2000s version.

 

The Haunted Palace (1963), by Roger Corman

Enjoy screen captures at The Obscure Hollow.

Roger Corman mixed the works of Edgar Allan Poe and H.P.Lovecraft for this work, taking the title from Poe's poem of the same name although the argument is mainly taken from the H.P.Lovecraft's "The Case of Charles Dexter Ward". Corman claimed that the producers forced him to use Poe's title after the success of his previous adaptations.

Probably not the best from Corman's adaptations (if we think of "The Tomb of Ligeia", "The masque of the Red Death", "Premature Burial"...), but another example of Corman's talent.

And we have a gaze to the Necronomicon!

Neverthless, it is still another great work of Corman and one of the best adaptations of Lovecraft, along with "The Dunwich Horror".

 

The Haunting (1963), by Robert Wise

Probably the best film of the list. Robert Wise, who had previously directed the classic "The day the Earth stood still" and was later to direct "West Side Story" or "Star Trek. The Movie", directed "The Haunting" in 1963 [imdb], giving us the model to follow of modern haunted houses and a classic of horror cinema. He introduced for the first time the group of scientists confronted to the legend of one house. Also it introduces an important psychological view into the plot.

 

The Legend of Hell House (1973), by John Hough

Screen captures available at The Obscure Hollow.

Another true classic of horror. Following the road opened by "The Haunting" but more dark than it, we have here a group of scientists, this time with a gaze to the possibilities of technology. With a perfect screenplay by Richard Matheson (author of "I am legend" and the "The incredible shrinking man").

 

The Amityville Horror (1979), by Stuart Rosenberg

Based on the book of the same name by Jay Anson, allegedly based on true events. In 1974 Ronald DeFeo killed his parents and brothers, claiming the devil made him do it. One year later the Lutz, George and Kathy bought the house and moved in with their children. After only 28 days they left the house claiming there was something more in it.

Josh Brolin and Margot Kidder became the Lutz in this close adaptation of the book. There were two follow ups and in 2005 a brand new version, that added scenes that haven't been described in the book.

 

The Changeling (1979), by Peter Medak

Another 70s classic. Memorable work from George C. Scott playing John Russell the man whose live is haunted by one presence in his old house.

 

The Shinning (1979), by Stanley Kubrick

Stanley Kubrick's adaptation of the book by Stephen King, proved to be, with John Carpenter's Christine, probably the best of all. The Overlook Hotel becomes one character more in the story of one family that take care of one isolated hotel during wintertime.

Including several anthological moments of modern horror cinema.

The use of the steadicam was another revolutionary point, because it allowed to bring fast moving but with a smooth shot. That is how the scenes inside de corridors of the hotel or the labyrinth could be done.

 

Poltergeist (1982), by Tobe Hooper

Once acclaimed Tobe Hooper (director of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre), signed one of the biggest hits of the eighties, "Poltergeist". Enjoyable, enterteaning, classic...

 

Stir of Echoes (1999), by David Koepp

Another film based on a Richard Matheson story, this time from his book of the same name.

Interesing approach to the genre, with two or three really moments, especially the hypnosis session. Kevin Bacon is perfect in his role.

 

The Others (2001), by Alejandro Amenabar

Alejandro Amenabar's approach to gothic terror could not be more succesful. After the revealing and efective "Tesis" he filmed the overestimated and disapointing "Abre los ojos". But with "The Others" he created one classic horror tale, really elegant (enhanced by the presence of Nicole Kidman). Maybe the only defect is the passage of the return of the father; because it fills totally like one add-on without relation with the rest of the story.

 

Darkness (2002), by Jaume Balagueró

My personal favourite, Jaume Balagueró is, along with Hideo Nakata, the most interesting horror creator of the XXI Century. In a panorama full of blood, finger cutting, psychopath that don't know that they are and other boring stuff, we have one director that bases all its horror quest on atmosphere and psychology.

The visual achievements in Balaguero's cinema are evident.

 

Ju-On. The Grudge (2003), by Takashi Shimizu

New japanese horror could not be indifferent to the haunted houses genre. One of the best known j-horro flics went about this subject. This was Ju-On, The Grudge (and of course, the american version by the same director). The story is a little anarchic and the face-powdered ghosts could seem more ilharating that efective but, no doubt, the effect is achieved.

 

Fragile (2005), by Jaume Balagueró

Another work from Balagueró. This time we move from one house to one hospital. The hospital being closed, the island...Everything fits until the end.

 

El orfanato (2007), by Juan Antonio Bayona

Another spanish horror movie. Highly overestimated but not despicable. Belén Rueda's interpretation stands out as the most remarkable thing of this movie, where everything seems seen before a hundred times.