Review - The Legend of Hell House

The Legend of Hell House held a few subtle scares for me, but ultimately it sort of fizzled itself out . . .

I don't know what to tell all that really like this film, but I just could not get into it. I am thinking that if I read the original book I might have a better perception of The Legend of Hell House - perhaps . . .

I have tried a few times to re-watch this classic haunted house film, but always in vain as I find myself bored to tears by the actions of an angry physicist, Dr. Barrett (Clive Revill); his horny wife, Ann (Gayle Hunnicutt); a young and naïve mental medium, Florence Tanner (Pamela Franklin); and a strange and demented physical medium, Benjamin Franklin Fischer (Roddy McDowall). Benjamin is the only person who has ever walked away from Hell House with his sanity and physical well being in tact. You would think that after what he witnessed the last time, he would not be so eager to come back to confront it again. But what is it that people won't do for money?

And make no mistake that Benjamin does believe he can hold off the spirit of Emeric Belasco (Michael Gough) long enough to make it through the week and collect his paycheck. But poor, young Florence is tricked right from the start into believing the ghostly encounters in Hell House are a result of the imprisonment of Belasco's tortured son, Daniel who needs to be laid to rest. Unfortunately for her, Belasco has other plans for her and tricks her into giving herself to him. This drives her half mad and the naive little psychic falls right into Belasco's plans.

The scientist of the group has an ego that may just match that of Belasco and is eventually also tricked by the mean and nasty spirit. But not before his wife Ann finds a book about the sadistic and sexual goings on in the house and is almost overtaken by her own sick desires.

An interesting ending that almost makes up for my boredom throughout the film is just not enough to save it for me. As I said in the beginning, I think I will have to read the book first then watch the film again. Perhaps then my opinion will change but as of right now I am still yawning just thinking about The Legend of Hell House.

The Legend of Hell House Movie Cast and Credits

Directed by
John Hough

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Richard Matheson (also the novel Hell House)

Cast (in credits order)
Pamela Franklin .... Florence Tanner
Roddy McDowall .... Benjamin Franklin Fischer
Clive Revill .... Mr. (Lionel) Barrett
Gayle Hunnicutt .... Ann Barrett
Roland Culver .... Mr. (Rudolph) Deutsch
Peter Bowles .... Hanley

rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Michael Gough .... Emeric Belasco (uncredited)