The Old Dark House (1963)

(On Cable TV, June 2021) I don’t think that The Old Dark House is a perfect representation of the stiff-lipped macabre British black comedy, but it’s certainly a fine example of it. Adapted from a 1932 film I’m now curious to see, it’s an unusual collaboration between American director William Castle and the British production company Hammer films. As such, it does have an unusual tone — halfway between the showy flourishes of Castle’s other productions and the restraint of British black comedies. The story has to do with an American car salesman ending up in the middle of an isolated British estate and a murderous family feud, as the inhabitants of the mansion must return to the house every night or forfeit their inheritance. The Old Dark House gets wild with lurid murders, hidden identities, secret killers and unlikely coincidences-that-aren’t. It’s not the most memorable Castle film, but it does carry some of his endearing showmanship, coupled with a dreary atmosphere and some droll delivery. It’s not quite the film that it could have been, but it’s odd enough to be worth a quick look. At less than 86 minutes, The Old Dark House moves faster than you’d expect and doesn’t quite overstay its welcome. There’s something fun in the atmosphere of an isolated mansion in which people are being murdered one after another, and even if the results don’t come close to its full potential, it’s amusing enough even with average execution.