Horror Extreme Movie Catalog

First of all, these two movies should be viewed as "psychological" horror: don't expect "monsters" (other than human ones) or magic; after all, they are based on Edgar Allen Poe stories (though embellished). I prefer "Pit and the Pendulum" over "House of Usher", but each has its own take on the human mind.

Vincent Price is simply superb. Whatever else one says about these movies, his acting can hardly be faulted.

The DVD is that cost-effective but unsettling "one movie per side" design (watch where you put your fingers!), but the display quality is good. I would hesitate to buy "House" by itself, but adding it to "Pit" and pricing the pair low (even compared to single-movie DVDs) is a winning combination. Just don't expect to be scared witless.

[This review is part of my 31 days of Halloween series.]

I am focusing on HOUSE OF USHER in this review because PIT & THE PENDULUM is not a big favorite of mine, but it's ok for kids--as is HOUSE OF USHER.

THE FALL OF THE HOUSE OF USHER is one of the very best productions of the Roger Gorman-Vincent Price horror series. It is based on Edgar Allen Poe's masterpiece, very Lovecraftian & one of my personal favorites.

There are only 4 characters (which was certainly a plus for the budget) & the 4 actors & director Gorman are up to the challenge of making a well-acted & suspenseful film.

The central theme of both the book & the movie is that of a degenerate family line who physically & spiritually poisons not only their own ancestral home, but their very presence also pollutes the environment around them. The current residents are a brother and sister who, although not evil in themselves, are the end of the family line. The sister is prone to attacks of catalepsy & the brother suffers from a really killer case of neurasthenia. Both of these medical conditions were sort of "in vogue" near the end of the 19th century.

In its most extreme manifestation, catalepsy can cause a victim to actually appear dead. Fear of premature burial had some people so upset that elaborate precautions were made to prevent such a horrible fate--including above ground burial & a bell alarm system above ground that could be triggered from within the coffin, etc.

Neurasthenia was more of a "rich person's ailment" that could be the result of alcoholism, stress, etc. One cure involved electro-shock therapy. In Brother Usher's case it is obviously attributed to family inbreeding & psychosis. He can literally hear a pin fall & it drives him absolutely crazy--as if he wasn't already crazy enough! Vincent Price is in top form as the very afflicted Mr. Usher.

The entire condition of the family has degenerated to such a degree that the house itself is literally falling apart & sinking at the same time. The image of this at the film's conclusion is convincingly portrayed in a stark, expressionist style--as is the weird painting gallery depicting the evil Usher ancestors.

There is a very interesting dream sequence (as in MASQUE OF THE RED DEATH next on my list) that is still very cool to watch.

This is a movie kids can enjoy too.

Transylvania
Transylvania
The Masque of the Red Death / The Premature Burial
Entire Tales & Poems of Edgar Allan Poe: Photographic & Annotated Edition