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Released
to theatres in 1959, “House on Haunted Hill" is celebrated
as a B-movie classic that maintains a cult following to this day. The
75 minute film was directed by William Castle, a low-budget film director
who specialized in horror films and worked to scare the audiences while
they were watching the movie in theatres. Castle, who derived his professional
name by translating his real family name, Schloss, to Castle, emulated
Alfred Hitchcock and had him appear in trailers and make cameo appearances
in his film. Hitchcock was inspired to make the low-budget film, “Psycho",
after seeing the large grosses of Castle's “House on Haunted
Hill".
Castle began his career as an actor on Broadway at the age of 15 by
lying about his age. Working on Broadway in a variety of capacities,
Castle began directing at the age of 18, debuting with a stage production
of “Dracula". Castle's film directional debut was
in 1943, with the release of “The Chance of a Lifetime".
After the release of his first film, Castle spent much of the beginning
of his career directing low and medium budget Westerns. It was not until
the 1950s that he turned to horror film, where he is most celebrated.
Once he began directing horror films, Castle pioneered the use of outrageous
gimmickry to sell tickets. For “House on Haunted Hill", he
rigged plastic skeletons in the theaters that would fly over the viewers' heads.
Knowing that he made a name for himself by rigging theaters showing his
horror films, Castle went on to write an autobiography, “Step Right
Up! I'm Gonna Scare the Pants off America".
Perhaps the most recognized and celebrated actor in “House on Haunted
Hill" is the legendary Vincent Price, who plays Frederick Loren,
the mysterious millionaire who dares his guests to try spending the night
in the haunted house. The 6'4" actor studied at Yale University,
where he was a member of Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity, and later moved
to London, where he studied Art History and Fine Art at the Courtaud
Institute. Price became interested in theater in the 1930s, and appeared
professionally on stage in 1935. Price, who is best remembered for his
roles in a series of low-budget horror films, made his film debut in
1938 in “Service de Luxe". It was not until the 50s that
Price began acting in horror films. He made his horror debut in the 1953 “House
of Wax", and went on to have a number of low-budget successes with
horror king, director Roger Corman. Price also acted in many of Corman's
Edgar Allan Poe adaptations.
Vincent Price greatly reduced his film work in the 70s and began focusing his career on narrative and voice work. His voice is heard on Alice Cooper's first solo album, “Welcome to my Nightmare", and in Michael Jackson's music video, “Thriller". Price worked for PBS from 1981 to 1989 as the host of the television series, “Mystery!", and his last significant film work was his role as the inventor in Tim Burton's 1990 production, “Edward Scissorhands". Price later spoke out against modern horror films, saying that they glorified violence. He pointed out that his films were harmless spoofs in comparison.
Carol Ohmart plays the beautiful wife of Frederick Loren, Annabelle Loren. A Salt Lake City native, Ohmart went on to become Miss Utah in 1946, after which she started a career in modeling, gracing the cover of many magazines. Ohmart eventually turned to acting, and in 1956 made her film debut in “The Scarlet Hour". Ohmart left the film industry in the 60s to go back to college and study metaphysics. She made the decision to return to film and acted in a variety of films until her final appearance in the 1972 film, “The Spectre of Edgar Allan Poe".
Elisha Cook Jr. plays the superstitious Watson Prichard, a character that has a significant role in scaring everyone in the film into believing that there are in fact ghosts haunting the huge home. The 5'5" Cook debuted on stage at the age of 14. Though he was small in stature, he earned a reputation for being a versatile actor with the ability to play ferocious characters. Cook attended St. Albans College and the Chicago Academy of Dramatic Art. He worked on Broadway until 1936 when he decided to move and settle in Hollywood. Cook made his film debut in 1930 when he acted in “Her Unborn Child". He eventually made a transition to full-time film actor in 1936. Cook was type-cast into the roles of small-time gangsters, but is best known for his role as Wilmer in the 1941 film, “The Maltese Falcon".
Richard Long plays Lance Schroeder, the pilot with a bit of a gambling problem who is convinced that he will survive the night and earn his $10,000. Long entered into films straight out of High School, and contracted with Universal Pictures, who sought after Long due to his celebrated good looks. Long made his film debut in 1946 as Claudette Colbert's son in “Tomorrow is Forever". Though he made multiple appearances in film, Long's most successful efforts were in television. He is perhaps best known for his roles in the Western series of 1965, “The Big Valley" and the 1970 comedy, “Nanny and the Professor".
A low-budget success, “House on Haunted Hill" was re-made in 1999, with William Castle's daughter, Terry, on-hand to approve of the characters and help with production. The modern rendition pays homage to Vincent Price by naming the millionaire in the film, Stephen Price. The 1959 film had a huge impact on low-budget film because of its success. Viewers can laugh at the not-so-scary special effects while simultaneously appreciating the film for it's innovativeness during its time.
