House of Usher (1960)

User Rating:

7.0/10   

Director:

Roger Corman

Writers:

Richard Matheson (writer)
Edgar Allan Poe (story)

Release Date:

22 June 1960 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Horror | Thriller

Tagline:

Edgar Allan Poe's overwhelming tale of EVIL & TORMENT

Plot:

After a long journey, Philip arrives at the Usher mansion seeking his loved one, Madeline. Upon arriving...

Plot Keywords:

Curse | Death | Mansion | Cult Director | Grave

Awards:

2 wins

Cast

Vincent Price	...	Roderick Usher
Mark Damon	...	Philip Winthrop
Myrna Fahey	...	Madeline Usher
Harry Ellerbe	...	Bristol
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Eleanor LeFaber	...	Ghost
Ruth Oklander	...	Ghost
Géraldine Paulette	...	Ghost

Also Known As:

The Fall of the House of Usher (UK) (USA)
The Mysterious House of Usher (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

79 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Iceland:16 | Norway:(Banned) (1960 - 1974) | Netherlands:16 (DVD rating) | UK:15 | Argentina:16 | Finland:K-16 | Norway:16 (1974) | USA:Unrated | Australia:PG | UK:X (original rating) | Canada:PG

Filming Locations:

California, USA

Company:

Alta Vista Productions

Trivia:

The stark landscape that Mark Damon rides through was the site of a fire in the Hollywood hills. Roger Corman had heard of the fire on the radio and went to the location the next day with his crew to do the shots of Damon.

Goofs:

Continuity: When asked to remove his boots, Phillip sits down and starts to remove his right boot, but stops when he realizes Bristol has disappeared. He then stands up and walks away in socks.

Quotes:

Roderick Usher: [shouting] Be done.
Philip Winthrop: What?
Roderick Usher: I think I rave.
Philip Winthrop: You said be done.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Madhouse (1974)

Roger Corman's First Poe Movie Is One Of The Best Horror Films Of The 60s

Corman's first Edgar Allan Poe adaptation triggered one of the most successful (and beloved) series of movies in the history of the American cinema. Later on, Corman gained notoriety for discovering new talent and producing many low-budget movies, but we tend to forget that he is a talented filmmaker too. "House of Usher" is a small-scale, very low-budget production, inventively directed by Corman. The emphasis is on characterizations and atmosphere, not on plot devices. In fact, very little occurs during the course of the movie. Characters talk and talk, while the story unfolds at a snail's pace. Sure, the film is slow moving, but it is never boring. From a technical point of view, it is very satisfying. But great aesthetics is not the movie's only strong card. The acting is excellent too. Vincent Price became a horror star on the strength of "House of Wax," but I think this is the movie that really establishes him as a force to be reckon with. Price is wonderfully restrained in one of his best roles. I also liked Mark Damon's performance as the movie's hero. The script by the great Richard Matheson is rock-solid and Floyd Crosby's color cinematography is simply extraordinary. Corman made seven more films based on Poe's work, but this is still one of the best films of the well-regarded series.