The House Of The Seven Gables [DVD]

This is a review of the 2016 Region 2 DVD from Screenbound Pictures. The film plays in its original pillar-boxed 1.37:1, with mono sound. Originally released in April 1940, this version has not been restored in any way. However, the print is very good, appearing remarkably clear, clean, and richly B&W. The sound too, is excellent.Nathaniel Hawthorne is one of the great figures of American literature. Just eight years older than Charles Dickens, born in Salem of English Puritan ancestry, his novels and short stories, mostly set in New England, tend to be dense, complex and carry deep moral messages. He is usually described as a ‘Dark Romantic’, a genre epitomised by the writings of Edgar Allan Poe. His novel ‘The House of the Seven Gables’, published in 1851, was categorised as a ‘romance’. Typical of Hawthorne, it was set in Salem, and touched on curses, legacies and the infamous 17th Century Witch Trials.Universal Studios selected the story for one of its celebrated horror films, a series relaunched in 1938 after a brief hiatus caused by public disgust over the ‘The Raven’(1935). It had been filmed as far back as 1910. This film, adapted by Lester Cole, is based on the novel, but some details differ quite markedly. However, the main thrust of the story, and of the atmosphere and spirit created by Hawthorne, appears in Cole’s considerably shortened telling.In fact, this is really not a horror film by any stretch. In terms of Universal’s iconic series, it deals neither with monsters in the vein of ‘Dracula’ or ‘The Mummy’, nor with science-gone-mad, like ‘The Invisible Man’ or ‘Frankenstein’. Instead, it is a High Gothic romance, a thoroughly atmospheric cautionary tale, of greed, jealousy and revenge and also of loyalty and love. It is true that highly-respected Austrian-born Joe May was chosen to direct because he was responsible for Universal’s successful ‘The Invisible Man Returns’(1940), but May himself apparently saw the plot as a metaphor for opposing fascism.The look of the film, the lighting and cinematography, are all exceptional. There is a quite delicious suggestion of ‘Great Expectations’ and Miss Haversham about some of the scenes ~ it’s interesting that the first film version of Dickens’s masterpiece was Universal’s, in 1934! And May brought several tricks from his early experience with German Expressionist cinema, using shadows particularly effectively.In a strong cast, a young, handsome Vincent Price is particularly noteworthy, as the musical brother, Clifford. And Margaret Lindsay, a very successful northern foil to Bette Davis’s spoilt, entitled southern belle in ‘Jezebel’(1938), is superb as the loyal and resolute Hepzibah. George Sanders, as the malicious obsessive, Jaffrey, is suitably caddish and nefarious: apparently he made life hell, on set, for May and Alan Napier (Fuller, the postman).Well-received in 1940, subsequently criticised for being too “mild”, Universal meanwhile began to fret that the script and directing were too radical!! We found it enjoyable, novel and singularly satisfying.

Good film.

DVD FROM 'SCREENBOUND', MAY 2016. BLACK AND WHITE COVER. Beautiful black and white print, good sound, but no subtitles. Pillar-boxed (black borders on each side of the screen). Extra: a witty 10 minute interview with Vincent Price, 'The Merchant of Menace', conducted by Michael Aspel.FILM - 1940 FROM UNIVERSAL STUDIOS: Not, as you might expect, a horror movie, but a dark and brooding 19th century New England gothic tale of two warring brothers, the decent one played by Vincent Price and the irredeemably wicked one played by George Sanders, both of them looking very young, at least at the beginning of this family saga, and giving it their all in a slightly over-the-top but very entertaining way. Margaret Lindsay plays the love interest, and is exceedingly good as the ingénue who becomes a hardened but not totally embittered woman over the gruelling years. They all live at the house with seven gables, which has a bloody history dating back to the 17th century, when a wronged worker laid a curse upon the owners, darkening the lives of all the succeeding generations. But will good finally triumph over evil in the hands of Vincent Price's equally wronged character? And will the house reveal its long-kept secret? We have to wait and see. Based on a book by Nathaniel Hawthorne, the screenplay also adds an Abolitionist theme, and is supported by a strong musical score by Frank Skinner. In summary, this is an entertaining gothic story, likely to appeal to fans of period morality tales, but don't expect a full blown horror movie; and it would have been nice if the house had been just a little more creepy.

Great print of a minor classic from the 40s featuring two great hams ( at that stage ) Vincent Price and George Sanders. Interesting story and it moves. What more can you ask. Prompt and courteous service from the seller.

Nice nostalgic sweet old-fashioned film. It is so old that Vincent Price plays the young lover. Lol.Plus points it actually has a plot. It involves brotherly betrayal which would have been shocking at the time it was made. However, I had the idea that it would be a scary vampirish film. It is not. Not a horror film at all, but it does have an actual story which is sadly lacking in many of the modern films which are just an excuse for unrealistically exaggerated, unnecessary violence. If you don't like that sort of thing then you might like this.The plot is about love and betrayal. I won't give it away.

I would claim my £7.99 - How can I do that this is sad I am deaf

Great actors sparing off each other in a classic. Beautifully filmed, a melodrama worth watching.

A cracking performance from V.P. in this old gem of a movie