31 Nights of Horror House of the Long Shadows
Platform: DVD (yes, I still have those)
Director: Pete Walker
Release Year: 1983
Watch Date: October 6, 2023
My Rating: 9.2
This movie terrified me when I was little…and then became one of the reasons I love horror movies. This is one of those rare movies that is almost perfect. I feel like Desi Arnaz Jr. wasn’t the right person to play the main character. I’m not really sure why, he just doesn’t seem to fit to me. So, you’re probably wondering why I think this movie is near perfect.
For starters the cast includes four horror legends: Vincent Price (I LOVE him and his amazing voice), Christopher Lee (also Saruman from LotR), Peter Cushing (also Grand Moff Tarkin in Star Wars Episode IV), and John Carradine (lesser known, but no less great….you’ve probably heard of his son David). Add in the great actress Sheila Keith and you have a recipe for a successful movie, regardless of the script.
However, the script also happens to be fantastic. The movie centers around a bet made by Kenneth, and author, with his publisher. He tells his publisher that it is possible to write a great novel in 24 hours. His publisher sends him to his friend’s mansion in the country called “Bllyddpaetwr Manor” (pronounced Baldpate Manor). The manor definitely looks haunted.
While Kenneth is typing away on his computer, people start showing up at the house. It turns out to be a family that has kept their youngest member in the attic for forty years (wait, what?) because he supposedly got a village girl pregnant and killed her (spoiler….that was actually Vincent’s character). The family members start dying. As to a couple that stumbled upon the house. In the end we learn that Christopher Lee’s character is actually the youngest son and he has been killing his family.
However…just as you think it’s over there is laughter in the background and out pops the publisher. He staged the whole thing so Kenneth wouldn’t be able to write his book. They have a party. But wait, there is more. It cuts to Kenneth typing the end of his story as the sun comes up. Turns out that what you watched was the book he wrote.
I love the plot twists at the end. The script is also full of funny one liners. This is a delightful movie that I would recommend to anyone (yes, I do think it is kid friendly). I will definitely watch this movie several more times in my life.
Photo Credit: imdb.com
