The Uninvited (1944)

User Rating:

7.7/10   

Director:

Lewis Allen

Writers:

Dorothy Macardle (novel)
Dodie Smith (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

16 October 1944 (Sweden)

Genre:

Fantasy | Horror | Mystery | Romance

Tagline:

From the Most Popular Mystery Romance since "Rebecca"!

Plot:

A brother and sister move into an old seaside house they find abandoned for many years on the English coast...

Plot Keywords:

House | Grandfather | Dead Mother | Tobacconist | Haunted House

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar.

Cast

Ray Milland	...	Roderick Fitzgerald
Ruth Hussey	...	Pamela Fitzgerald
Donald Crisp	...	Commander Beech
Cornelia Otis Skinner	...	Miss Holloway
Dorothy Stickney	...	Miss Bird
Barbara Everest	...	Lizzie Flynn
Alan Napier	...	Dr. Scott
Gail Russell	...	Stella Meredith

Runtime:

99 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Spanish

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)

Certification:

USA:Passed (National Board of Review) | USA:TV-PG (TV rating) | UK:A (1944) (cut) | Australia:PG | Finland:K-16 | Sweden:15 | USA:Approved (PCA #9337)

Filming Locations:

Phoenix, Arizona, USA

Company:

Paramount Pictures

Trivia:

Some of the interior sets of Windwood Manor, such as the main staircase and parlor, were re-dressed sets from the 1942 film I Married a Witch (1942).

Goofs:

Continuity: The covers on the headlights (see above) disappear midway through.

Quotes:

Pamela Fitzgerald: Important decisions have to be made quickly.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Remington Steele: Steele Crazy After All These Years (#1.16)" (1983)

Soundtrack:

Stella by Starlight

one my all time favorites

One of the posters described this as a "comfort" film which says it for me. I absolutely love this movie. It has been one of my favorites for years and years. I am also very lucky that my mother contacted a rare book company and found me the book, which is also wonderful. In the book (which I believe was written right before World War II began), the Ray Milland character is a writer, and there are many more characters. In fact, there are two men interested in the Ruth Hussey character. In its own way, The Uninvited book is equally as wonderful as the film, and the movie definitely keeps the gist of the story. I'm glad Milland is a composer in the movie, because how could we do without "Stella by Starlight," one of the most heavenly songs ever written. The music contributes to the wonderful atmosphere of "The Uninvited."

I read through the postings and was interested to see the Rebecca comparisons. "Rebecca" is one of my all time favorites as well, and I feel like an idiot saying I've never connected the two. But yeah, the Mary Meredith sure was on a pedastal, wasn't she? Otis Skinner's total, over the top performance is a real highlight. "No rough edges...all smooth..." - lots going on there!

It's tragic to see Gail Russell so young and beautiful and realize that alcohol would ravage her beyond recognition that and she would die so young.

She was lovely. The whole cast is marvelous. And I love that ghost! So, a mimosa toast to all of you who love this film as I do.