The Strange Door (1951)
The Strange Door (1951)
This next film, was one that I wasn't familiar with when I sat down and watched it. The Strange Door from 1951 is based on Robert Louis Stevenson's 1878 short story "The Sire de Maletroit's Door", and is a great horror film, with elements of mystery added in. The film is about a man named Alain de Maletroit who is an evil man that loves to play games with people. He once loved his brother's wife, and viewed her marrying him an act of deceit, so he devises a plan to get evil but making the daughter of his brother and his wife who is in his charge (after her parents die) marry a scoundrel of a man. But he never expected that scoundrel to actually be a good man, or the mysterious Voltan who is always lurking in the shadows to help the daughter and her the man she is supposed to marry. But can Voltan save them before it's too late?
The Strange Door was directed by Joseph Pevney, with a screenplay by Jerry Sackheim. The Strange Door is based on Robert Louis Stevenson's 1878 short Story "The Sire de Maletroit's Door". The film was produced and distributed by Universal Pictures in 1951. Though not a film that I see talked about very often, it is an effective thriller, that actually had me on the edge of my seat during the climax for the film. Much of the film is mysterious, and it isn't clear what exactly the purpose for what is happening, but it slowly unfolds in a way that builds excitement and tension. An absolutely fabulous horror thriller mystery.
The Strange Door stars Charles Laughton as Alain de Maletroit, Boris Karloff as Voltan, Sally Forrest as Blanche de Maletroit, Richard Stapley as Denis de Beaulieu (who is to marry Blanche), William Cottrell as Corbeau, Alan Napier as Count Grassin, Morgan Farley as Renville, Paul Cavanagh as Edmond de Maletroit (Blanche's father), and Michael Pate as Talon. This film has a great cast,with an especially great supporting role by Boris Karloff, who is always lurking in the shadows, and at first it is hard to figure him out, and then later we find out more about him and why he isn't evil. Sally Forrest was also great in the role of Blanche de Maletroit, and her onscreen chemistry with Richard Stapley was quite well done. Both characters played their roles as the pawns caught in the game, really well. Charles Laughton as Alain de Maletroit, was fantastic, he actually comes across as insane.
I was really impressed by The Strange Door, and I am surprised it isn't a more well loved film than it is. If you haven't seen it yet, I highly recommend checking it out. I would say that this is a must-see Boris Karloff film, a great part later in his career. Overall this is a great film, with a well written and developed story, great pacing, and a great cast. This is an exciting film, that is totally worth checking out. If you come across of copy of The Strange Door don't pass it up, it is a film that should be a part of all horror film collectors libraries.
The Strange Door was directed by Joseph Pevney, with a screenplay by Jerry Sackheim. The Strange Door is based on Robert Louis Stevenson's 1878 short Story "The Sire de Maletroit's Door". The film was produced and distributed by Universal Pictures in 1951. Though not a film that I see talked about very often, it is an effective thriller, that actually had me on the edge of my seat during the climax for the film. Much of the film is mysterious, and it isn't clear what exactly the purpose for what is happening, but it slowly unfolds in a way that builds excitement and tension. An absolutely fabulous horror thriller mystery.
The Strange Door stars Charles Laughton as Alain de Maletroit, Boris Karloff as Voltan, Sally Forrest as Blanche de Maletroit, Richard Stapley as Denis de Beaulieu (who is to marry Blanche), William Cottrell as Corbeau, Alan Napier as Count Grassin, Morgan Farley as Renville, Paul Cavanagh as Edmond de Maletroit (Blanche's father), and Michael Pate as Talon. This film has a great cast,with an especially great supporting role by Boris Karloff, who is always lurking in the shadows, and at first it is hard to figure him out, and then later we find out more about him and why he isn't evil. Sally Forrest was also great in the role of Blanche de Maletroit, and her onscreen chemistry with Richard Stapley was quite well done. Both characters played their roles as the pawns caught in the game, really well. Charles Laughton as Alain de Maletroit, was fantastic, he actually comes across as insane.
I was really impressed by The Strange Door, and I am surprised it isn't a more well loved film than it is. If you haven't seen it yet, I highly recommend checking it out. I would say that this is a must-see Boris Karloff film, a great part later in his career. Overall this is a great film, with a well written and developed story, great pacing, and a great cast. This is an exciting film, that is totally worth checking out. If you come across of copy of The Strange Door don't pass it up, it is a film that should be a part of all horror film collectors libraries.
Comments
Post a Comment