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
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

Distributors

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

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:

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:

This film was one of the early examples of American International Pictures' occasional practice of distributing a feature under two different titles. In some areas the main title, and the ad campaign, read "The Fall of the House of Usher." In other areas, the main title, and the ad campaign, read simply "House of Usher." This also carried over to the 16mm U.S. television syndication prints in which one, or the other title, would appear on the print itself.

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: I suggest you leave, Mr. Winthrop. No? Then perish with us.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "HBO First Look: The Haunting (#6.6)" (1999)

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.