Monster of the Day #3295

Updated on November 3, 2021 By Ken Begg 3 Comments

The Legend of Hell House is one of the last traditional ghost stories, before everything went to shock cuts and loud music stings and CGI beasties overtly killing people. Poltergeist, I guess, is the fulcrum point between The Haunting (1963) and the modern Paranormal Activities kind of stuff. Even in 1973, though, while the movie is at least sort of traditionist, the poster for Hell House is full out B horror movie. I don’t have a problem with that, but what this promises is far from the somber, intelligent thrills of The Haunting and The Innocents. Still a pretty decent movie, though, and, you know, Roddy McDowell.

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  • Beckoning Chasm

    If you want a thoughtful ghost story, check out 2017’s “A Ghost Story.” It’s very slow moving but I highly recommend it. Oh, and it’s not really a horror film.

  • I am shocked, shocked! that there’s been no mention that today is the birthday of our King and Destroyer, Godzilla. 67 years old, and he’s still got it.

    In related news, Toho released a short movie featuring Godzilla fighting Hedorah the Smog Monster, who turned 50 this year. You can find it on YouTube. Cheaply done, but a better use of your time than watching the Godzilla Anime movies.

  • Rodford Smith

    I actually saw this movie in a drive-in, I think it was even on first release. It remains a favorite. Most of the tension is due to the pure atmosphere created by the cast and crew. Then something overt happens with shocking speed. Then more spooky atmosphere. Much of the credit goes to the sound effects and the electronic score.

    I even acquired the novel, written by Richard Matheson (published in 1971) though I sold it a few years later at a nice profit.