House of Usher (1960)

Director:

Roger Corman

Writers:

Richard Matheson (writer)
Edgar Allan Poe (story)

Release Date:

22 June 1960 (USA)

Genre:

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:

Ghost | 19th Century | Tense | Live Burial | Stylized

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
David Andar	...	Ghost (uncredited)
Bill Borzage	...	Ghost (uncredited)
Mike Jordan	...	Ghost (uncredited)
Mike Jordor	...	Ghost (uncredited)
Nadajan	...	Ghost (uncredited)
George Paul	...	Ghost (uncredited)
Phil Sulvestre	...	Ghost (uncredited)
John Zimeas	...	Ghost (uncredited)

Directed by
Roger Corman

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Richard Matheson		writer
Edgar Allan Poe		story "The Fall of The House of Usher"

Produced by
Roger Corman	....	producer
James H. Nicholson	....	executive producer

Original Music by
Les Baxter

Cinematography by
Floyd Crosby

Film Editing by
Anthony Carras

Production Design by
Daniel Haller

Makeup Department
Fred B. Phillips	....	makeup artist (as Fred Phillips)

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Jack Bohrer	....	assistant director

Art Department
Richard M. Rubin	....	properties (as Dick Rubin)
Burt Shonberg	....	painter: paintings (as Burt Schoenberg)

Sound Department
Alfred R. Bird	....	sound editor (as Al Bird)
Philip Mitchell	....	sound

Special Effects by
Lawrence W. Butler	....	process photography director (as Larry Butler)
Pat Dinga	....	special effects
Ray Mercer	....	photographic effects

Camera and Electrical Department
Frank Tanner	....	still photographer

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Marjorie Corso	....	wardrobe

Music Department
Eve Newman	....	music editor

Production Companies

• Alta Vista Productions
• American International Pictures (AIP)

Distributors

• American International Pictures (AIP) (1960) (USA) (theatrical)
• Comptoir Français du Film Production (CFFP) (1960) (France) (theatrical)
• CBS Television (1972) (USA) (TV) (network premiere)
• Control Productions (Australia) (DVD) (as "Fall of the House of Usher")
• MGM/UA Home Entertainment (????) (USA) (DVD) (as "Fall of the House of Usher")
• Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) (DVD)
• Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment (2004) (Netherlands) (DVD)
• Warner Home Video (video as "Fall of the House of Usher")

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

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Norway:(Banned) (1960 - 1974) | Iceland:16 | 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:

Revealing mistakes: As Phillip leaves his room to go to supper you hear the house start to rumble and it shows the hallway shaking,you can tell that this is done by having the camera moved around as the candles and other miscellaneous items in the hall don't move at all.

Quotes:

Roderick Usher: Did you know that I could hear the scratching of her fingernails on the casket lid?

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Deadly Mantis (#9.4)" (1997)

Vincent Price and the Plague of Evil!!

House of Usher is the first Edgar Allan Poe adaptation in a series (seven, to be exact) directed by Roger Corman, and probably my number one recommendation if you're looking for a good old-fashioned spooky tale. Corman merely lays the stress on the comedy-factor in his later efforts, but House of Usher still has the ability to frighten the bejezus out of you through a complex plot, a nightmarish atmosphere and horrific decors. The screenplay is very loyal to Poe's tale of the Ushers…Two remaining siblings, cursed and constantly punished for the evil of their criminal ancestors. Price is brilliant as usual in his role of the over-concerned Roderick Usher, convinced that his fade is sealed and his remaining days are doomed. Multiple memorable highlights in this film, like for example a ghoulish dream-sequence, a breath taking decent in the family vault and a truly petrifying act of vengeance! Classic and successful combination of mysterious gothic and stylish horror, not to be missed if you're a fan!