One of the original 'stranded in a creepy mansion' movies, "The Old Dark House" brings a group of travellers, trapped by a massive rainstorm, together in an old estate somewhere in Wales. The home is owned by the Femm family, including paranoid Rebecca (Eva Moore) and sepulchral brother Horrace (Ernest Thesiger) who are served by a lumbering, scarred mute servant Morgan (Karloff). Needless to say, there is more to the family and the mansion than meets the eye. Directed by James Whale, the film reflects his flair for the comic-Gothic, but is not in the same league as his "Frankenstein" (1931) or "Bride of Frankenstein" (1935). The ensemble cast of 'strandees' including Charles Laughton, Melvyn Douglas, and Raymond Massey, are all good in their respective roles, as are their hosts, but Karloff is a disappointment. After having brought so much humanity and pathos to his 'creature' in the Frankenstein films, here he just lurches and grunts as he menaces the stranded guests. ANTI-SPOILER ALERT: I was expecting some clever twist involving his character at the end of the film, but the story just plays out predictably (perhaps it was less predictable when the movie came out).
Review of The Old Dark House
