TheHauntedHouseofHorror

The Haunted House of Horror (aka Horror House) (1969)

When a group of psychedelic kids looking for some kicks head off to a haunted house they get way more than they bargained for. One of there friends is brutally murdered and they are faced with a dilemma. Believing that one of their own committed the crime they choose to hid the body and not go to the police. Eventually they realize that they don’t trust each other and that the police are getting closer to their secret. So they head back to the house to try and ferret out the killer. But is it such a good idea to lock yourself in a house with a homicidal maniac? Also could it be that the older married boyfriend of one of the young ladies in the group might have something to do with the crime?

This is an interesting little movie. The story is different from what I thought it was going to be. Though I think the logic behind them hiding the body and not going to the police right away is a bit faulty I let that slide. What is more off putting is how slow the movie is during the first hour or so. Other than the murder nothing much happens. It does pick up towards the end and the revealing of the killer is really well done and keeps the audience guessing until the very last second. But with such a great buildup the ending itself I found wanting. It is very unsatisfying and anticlimactic. I wasn’t terribly impressed with the cast. While not especially bad they aren’t very good either. The headliner is Frankie Avalon, who seems miscast in what is a British production. Though his performance towards the end of the movie is one of the reasons the movie becomes as entertaining as it ends up being.

The effects are pretty good for the time the movie was being made. The first kills aren’t that impressive, but the last one is cool, if a little bit below the belt. The groovy music and fashions of the 60s are on display, as well as the hip side of London. While it has nothing to do with the movie itself I’m always fascinated by movies set in England during this time. The location of the old house is well light and shot, with a few nifty camera tricks and angles tossed in.

The Haunted House of Horror isn’t without it’s flaws, but I did find it interesting at times. In the end I suppose at best it is a mediocre movie. But if like me you dig watching the occasional obscure flick then you might want to give The Haunted House of Horror a shot.

2 out of 4

reviewed by John Shatzer