"House of the Long Shadows" has one big thing in its favor. The producers were able to secure the services of four of the greatest living horror movie stars...Peter Cushing, John Carradine, Vincent Price and Christopher Lee. I am sure that for that reason alone many came to see the movie when it was released. But it also has two big things against it. First, it was made by Cannon Films and most of Cannon's output was just plain bad...dopey action films mostly but also a few other, mostly second and third-rate offerings. Second, its story is ancient...with at least eight different prior versions as well as the original play. So, if you are familiar with "Seven Keys to Baldpate" by Earl Derr Biggers*, there won't be all that many surprises...and, sadly, I've seen a few versions of this story already and the big surprising twists at the end didn't come as any surprise. Plus, even the original story is a bit dull and predictable even if you aren't familiar with it.
A young author (Desi Arnaz Jr.) makes a bet with his publisher...that he can create an entire story, albeit a formulaic one, in less than 24 hours. All the publisher needs to do is arrange for some home where the author can write it. But again and again and again, various oddball characters show up in this mansion which no one has used in decades. Coincidence? Probably not. But what exactly is going on here?
The acting by these veteran actors is very good. The story itself....not so much. The score of 6 is purely for the four actors and some nice atmosphere...but not much more.
*Earl Derr Biggers is known today as the creator of Charlie Chan.
A young author (Desi Arnaz Jr.) makes a bet with his publisher...that he can create an entire story, albeit a formulaic one, in less than 24 hours. All the publisher needs to do is arrange for some home where the author can write it. But again and again and again, various oddball characters show up in this mansion which no one has used in decades. Coincidence? Probably not. But what exactly is going on here?
The acting by these veteran actors is very good. The story itself....not so much. The score of 6 is purely for the four actors and some nice atmosphere...but not much more.
*Earl Derr Biggers is known today as the creator of Charlie Chan.