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The Fall of the House of Usher [VHS]

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In the 1960's, when I was a kid, the NUMBER ONE horror star was definitely Vincent Price! True, he started scaring us out of our shorts in the 50's, what with HOUSE OF WAX, THE FLY, THE TINGLER, and (best of all, in my humble), HOUSE ON HAUNTED HILL. But it wasn't until he joined forces with American International Pictures and Director/Producer Roger Corman that Vinnie carved his niche as a true American horror icon! THE FALL OF THE HOUSE OF USHER started it all, the first in what's come to be known as "the Poe cycle." Released on tape in the mid 1980's (an inferior transfer), HOUSE OF USHER (its title, once the credits roll) has never looked better than on this gorgeous DVD. Colors are rich, sound is crystal clear, really, it's like seeing the film in a movie theater! And Vinnie, oh, Vinnie, he's in fine form here as the tragic Roderick Usher. Plagued by an over-heightening of the senses, he can't bear to hear loud noises or smell anything stronger than the most delicate perfume (yet, it doesn't prevent him from strumming a few off key notes on his mandolin!), Roderick is a tragic figure indeed. And what an imposing sight! Breathtaking, even! This is Vincent Price's most startling and compelling characterization--snow white hair, blue eyes, pale complexion, and that oh-so-very proper way of speaking and acting. I loved Hammer Films, with Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee, but Vincent Price was somebody we could call our our own, a true national treasure! Corman's direction is solid, and he makes the most of his limited cast (only 4 people) and budget--but everything looks so luxurious and expensive! You've got to remember that AIP was notorious for cranking out cheapjack black and white quickies for the juvie market--so HOUSE OF USHER was an utterly drastic change of pace for them. And it paid off, big-time! PIT AND THE PENDULUM (also available)soon followed, with TALES OF TERROR, THE RAVEN, and MASQUE OF THE RED DEATH, et al,waiting in the wings! Can't wait for them to all hit DVD--and if MGM's Midnite Movies claims them, we can expect quality, quality, quality! Oh! I should mention that Corman does an interesting and humorous commentary! Attractively packaged, moderately "PRICED," THE FALL OF THE HOUSE OF USHER gives you MUCHO bang for your buck! Vincent, you may have departed our mortal world in 1992, but your legacy is alive and well! We'll never see the likes of you again, sad to say!

By far the best of all Vincent Price / Roger Corman adaptions of the works of Edgar Allan Poe, this is really a horror film that should be regarded as equal to the 30`s classic horror movies like Dracula or Frankenstein (it certainly is scarier than watching Karloff wander around in front of painted backdrops). In fact, "House Of Usher" is not only a straight thriller, it is also a very poetic movie, it has a good script, a haunting score (especially in the crypt sequence) and a very well crafted set design (just watch Corman`s opulent use of colors). If the climax is somewhat hurried it is more than made up by the frightening atmosphere of the film. When I watched it as a child in the early eighties, it was one of the few old chillers that really scared me to death ..... and it will certainly entertain everyone who enjoys to watch really good vintage horror thrillers (Vincent Price`s morbid characterization of Roderick Usher is worth a few shocks alone).

Director Roger Corman and AIP had great success relating the tales of Edgar Allan Poe to the screen, and it all started here with The Fall of the House of Usher (1960). While not always exactly faithful to the source material (how many are?), the films sure are fun to watch. House of Usher stars Vincent Price as Roderick Usher, Myrna Fahey (who once dated Joe DiMaggio and received a death threat because a deranged fan couldn't stand to see DiMaggio with anyone other than Marilyn Monroe) as his sister Madeline Usher, Mark Damon as her fiancé Philip Winthrop, and Harry Ellerbe as Bristol, the butler. Scripted by famed horror/fantasy/sci-fi writer Richard Matheson, who also worked on the later Corman/Poe/AIP films like Pit and the Pendulum (1961), Tales of Terror (1962), and The Raven (1963), The Fall of the House of Usher marked new ground for AIP and Corman. Previously, the studio was content in putting out two black and white films at the same time for minimal cost, Corman convinced the studio heads to take the money to make two of those films and let him use it to make one film in color, and the result, this film, turned out to be a huge box office draw in 1960.

Anyway, the film starts off with Philip riding up to a massive, dark, and as we find out later, crumbly house of Usher. The grounds around the house show no signs of life, but only death and decay. The house actually looks a lot like the creepy house you always see that the beginning of those old Scooby Doo cartoons. Seems he's come to see about his fiancée Madeline, as they had met in Boston where they both lived, and she has since returned home. This is when we meet Roderick Usher, a handsome, yet odd sort of fellow, who we learn has a painfully acute sensitivity of all the senses, preferring the dimmest of light, the blandest of food, the softest of clothing, the mildest of odor, and the quietest of sounds. We also learn, from Roderick, that Madeline is sick, and no one is allowed to see her. Philip, not understanding what's going on, refuses to leave until he can see Madeline, and Roderick finally acquiesces. She seems all right, but later we learn what the sickness is...one, not so much of body, but of a madness supposedly passed down through the Usher lineage. You see, the house and the grounds were once fertile, and full of life, but evil overtook the Usher line, displayed in the many crimes perpetrated by the various ancestors, poisoning the family and the estate, or so says Roderick. The presence of malignance is so oppressive, it's causing the centuries old house to crumble under its' own weight. I personally think it's due to lack of upkeep, but what do I know? Anyway, Philip pushes to take Madeline away from the house, but Roderick is intent on keeping her there until such time as she and he pass, effectively ending the Usher family line. His fear is that she should leave and procreate, extending the evil that has survived so long. The question of evil and its' ability to be passed down is brought up, along with the idea of evil being not so much limited to an abstract idea but a real, almost tangible quality that infects and destroys people and objects. Where does evil live? In the mind? The soul? Can it be transferred? Can a place, with a history of evil acts performed within, actually become so seeped in evil that it becomes evil itself? Well, soon Madeline suffers a heart attack and passes, due to all the excitement that Philip has brought, so says Roderick. Madeline is put into the family crypt in the basement (that's convenient), but is she really dead? Maybe not...seems there's a history of narcolepsy, a disorder characterized by sudden and uncontrollable, though often brief, attacks of deep sleep, sometimes accompanied by paralysis and hallucinations and would sometimes make the sufferer to appear dead, in the Usher family. Did Madeline suffer from such a malady? If so, then I'd hate to be her when she wakes....

The film moves along nicely, except for maybe the dream sequence. Corman always seemed to like throwing in crazy dream sequences in his Poe productions, and sometimes they helped add to the film, sometimes they sort of ground the proceedings to a halt, in my opinion. Never being really a big fan of the cinematic dream sequence anyway, this one, at least, was short. Price and his costars all do a wonderful job, and I especially liked Fahey near the end. Price seems to envelope the role of Roderick Usher, fitting into character perfectly. If I ever read the actual Poe story, I know I'll always have a picture in my mind of Price as Roderick. What an interesting visage she provides...very scary, even for the hardened horror fan. The music, by the accomplished composer Les Baxter, really complements the visuals in creepy fashion, filling out the overall effect provided by really excellent sets.

The wide screen print here looks really good, but there are occasions where speckling and print damage were noticeable. It's very slight, and did little to lessen my enjoyment of the film. Special features include a theatrical trailer for the film, and a separate commentary track by Corman himself. I have to say, I think this is not only one of the best Corman/Poe films of the eight that were made, but one of Corman's best films period.

Cookieman108

With the possible exception of "The Masque of the Red Death," this is probably Corman's best Poe film. Like all of the Poe films, it isn't completely true to the actual story (Like "The Haunted Palace" -- which wasn't even a Poe story). However, the playful renditions aren't ones that will leave Poe fans crying foul, but rather appreciating an expanded adaption which leaves a story once valuable only in words at least acceptable for film.

Price plays Roderick Usher, a hauntingly pale and eccentric artist with a strange ailment, with great class. A little indulgent sometimes, like Price always was, but always charming and believable. I only regret that there wasn't more play with Usher's sensitivity for the senses, and that an actual lute player hadn't provided a soundtrack, instead of Price's awful attempts to portray himself as a great musical composer while obviously having no clue how to play the instrument.

This film is most valuable for its imagery and its "special effects" however. The decayed and "misty" settings are fantastic, and so are the paintings of the Usher family and the mansion itself, which seems to have been used in several films. For the burning scene, Corman actually rushed over to film a burning house that had been reported over the radio. A low-budget masterpiece!

After all the years that have passed since the Corman/Price "Poe" series first ran, it is hard to explain just how breathtaking these films were, especially in the heartland. When they were new, those of us in the large patch in the middle of America, and were raised on drive-in movies, saturday kiddie shows, and afternoon TV "matinees" were frankly surprised by how good these films really were. The Corman/Price movies provided a welcome switch from summer films with plots built around sex-crazed cheerleaders, pulchritudinous stewardesses, over-heated summer school teachers, and hormonally-crazed student nurses. This is an interesting observation in the face of the reality that Corman was also notorious for making movies about those self-same nymphomaniacal cheerleaders, stewardesses, summer school teachers, etc, etc, etc,

The Poe series was smart, well costumed, often humorous, occasionally freaky, and generally unique in its day. These films were often so far ahead of their time that they probably went unnoticed by most of the Hollywood establishment (the best films still do). When they weren't uniquely fabulous, they were at least far enough over the top (as in "The Raven" where we have Vincent Price, Perer Lorre, Boris Karloff, and a very young Jack Nicholson loudly chewing the scenery) that we didn't care.

Of course, no one would have been more surprised by the plot twists that these films took than E. A. Poe himself. We frequently wondered if Corman had read the same stories we had, but in the end, it didn't really matter. Corman is a grand storyteller whose artistic vision remains true even in the face of what appears to be deep cynicism about the quality of his product and the intelligence (certainly the sophistication) of his viewing audience. Price was, of course, a magnificent and sophisticated actor who brought elegance and sympathy to every role he ever played. This first movie in the Corman/Poe series is the strongest and most faithful to the original source material. You will not find the best review for these movies here, though I wholeheartedly endorse them, the best praise these films will receive is from yourself when you find that they make for excellent repeated viewing.

THE FALL OF THE HOUSE OF USHER, actually just called THE HOUSE OF USHER originally, was the 28th film for Roger Corman to make. He produced and directed it. Such was quite an achievent for a man not yet 38 years of age. It was Corman's most expensive picture to date, costing some $200,000. $50,000 went to the star, Vincent Price. Price bleached his hair, thinking that it better fit his character than the black hair originally intended.

A lot of filler had to be used to stretch Poe's story into a feature film of 1 hour and 20 minutes. Corman's films often ran short and he regularly used extended camera shots and other tricks to make them long enough for European release. This film did quite well, ranking at number 5 at the box office in 1960.

Roderick Usher (Price) tries to convince the fiancee to his sister, Madeline, that he must leave the house and give up all hope of marriage. The young man refuses. After Roderick has had an argument with his sister, she goes into a catatonic shock and is presumed dead. Roderick knows the truth but decides to bury her alive.

While the house itself might be considered the real murderer and monster, this is really a psychological thriller. Has Roderick convinced his sister that she is sick and is going to die? Are his senses really so developed that he can hear the most meager sounds or is it an aspect of his own delusion?

The sins of the Usher line are blamed for the death and decay that have poisoned the grounds and made living in the house hazardous to health-- there are a lot of accidents. Despite a private chapel with crucifix, the Ushers seem convinced that there is no hope for them, just more misery and pain, even after death. Roderick believes that the sins of his ancestors have stained his own life and soul, and that there is no escape.

Taken from a scientific perspective, the fissure that has undermined the house's foundation may have released a gas that destroyed the grounds and poisoned their minds and bodies. Nothing is said about this in the film, but there are similar cases where such things and not spiritual evil have been the real culprits.

Taken in a theological sense, the lack of hope (despair) and the refusal to repent brings one to a fiery judgment. The film has the house erupt in flame and the fissure, literally a pit, consumes the house. Madeline's suitor escapes and stands safely on the other side of the property's gates. He tried to battle with optimism the darkness that had possessed the house and the minds of its inhabitants. Roderick insisted that he did not understand-- what?-- that Madeline was insane? Or did he make her so by burying her alive?

>No vulgar words.
>No nudity or sexual situations.
>Minor plot violence.

Richard Matheson, of Twilight Zone fame, wrote the screenplay.

The film is presented in 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen.

Audio is two-channel mono, and is okay. Extras are a theatrical trailer and a commentary track by Roger Corman.

The first of Roger Corman's Poe cycle films is probably the most simple. A cast of four and a spooky old house are the characters. The house being a malignant symbol of the evil and depravity lived in it by the Usher family. Roderick Usher (Vincent Price) and his sister Madeline (Myrna Fahey) are the sole surviving members attended to by the long suffering family servant Bristol (Harry Ellerbe). Roderick, pale, clean shaven and with white hair, is hypersensitive to light, sound, touch and taste. He is convinced that he and Madeline suffer the curse of the Ushers---incipient madness. When Madeline's fiance Philip (Mark Damon) comes for her to marry her, Roderick forbids Madeline to leave. He doesn't want their tainted blood to continue. Philip refuses to believe Roderick's morbid stories and refuses to leave without Madeline. But he notices that the house is crumbling, cracking and shaking as if it wants to fall apart---as if the house itself is tired of bearing the curse. Then Madeline suffers a cataleptic stroke and falls into a coma, causing Roderick to declare her dead and bury her in the family crypt. But things are not as they seem and soon Madeline's screams can be heard throughout the house. Then things REALLY hum. "House of Usher" is low budget but Corman does wonders with minimilism. The use of red, normally a vibrant color, is used here to depict morbidity and death. Red candles, red furniture upholstery, Madeline's blood red dinner gown, Roderick's jackets and Madeline's own blood---all vividly captured amid the dark gloom of the house. Price gives another of his patented eccentric performances but who else could deliver lines based on Poe so well? Richard Matheson's script is efficient and literate leaving little room for open ends. Damon and Fahey are well suited as the lovers if a little inexperienced next to Price. And Les Baxter's score is moody and spooky. For 80 minutes, this is a pretty tight little film. Certainly one of the better horror films ever made. If you're a fan of the Price/Corman/Poe films this is the first and a collector's item.

An excellent DVD of Roger Corman's genuinely chilling and macabre film. Vincent Price is effective and memorable as Roderick Usher, who worries so much about his family going mad and spreading its evil that he ultimately- and tragically- makes his predictions into a self-fulfilling prophecy. A wonderful companion piece to the equally good "Pit and the Pendulum" (both films begin almost identically), "Usher" has many of the same strengths of that later Matheson/Corman collaboration: great sets, lush colors, sensitive direction, and some genuinely disturbing scares. Viewers, incidentally, shouldn't be deterred by comments that some of the special effects in the closing moments are lacking. While admittedly not entiring convincing, the few shots of the mansion burning (which utilize a variation of the original matte painting of the house, superimposed over fire footage) are not sloppy in the least, but rather as beautifully composed and photographed as the rest of the movie. An informative director's commentary and the film's trailer round out this must-have DVD.

I'm in my 40s now and still love it; but when I was a kid, this was the ultimate scary movie, the one by which all others were judged. It seems to me there was another version titled Fall of the House of Usher a few years later based on the same story. The House of Usher from 1960 is the definitive version. If you like Poe movies and/or Vincent Price, this is a MUST SEE!

When I was in elementary school, I saw a movie "The Fall of the House of Usher" on late-night television, and I remember being so entranced by it. Now almost 20 years later, I decided to find and watch that film again, so I bought this DVD.

Alas, this was not the version I had seen as a kid. (Gotta keep looking) Nevertheless, I very much enjoyed watching this DVD. Vincent Price is awesome as Roderick, and Roger Corman's direction is superb. Even with the limited budget and the hokey effects (by today's standards), the sense of suspense and the atmosphere of fear are genuine. Like I wrote in the title, the movie gave me good chills, and I liked it.

This was my first Corman movie, and having seen this, I'll be sure to check out his other Poe-adaptations. It's incredible how he shot this film in 15 days! (And that was his LONGEST shoot yet!)

Speaking of Corman, the commentary by Corman was just so-so. It had some interesting bits of information, but overall, I found it to be boring, and quite honestly, it put me to sleep. (So who knows? Maybe I missed out on some good parts of the commentary....) The commentary often had many long pauses, and it sounded as if Corman couldn't really think of anything much to say, and he was waiting for a scene in the movie to trigger his memory. To be fair, seeing his filmography in IMDB, he was involved in TONS of movies (directing as many as 6 or 7 films in a YEAR), so this movie he directed 40 years ago probably isn't fresh in his mind. :) I'll probably have to re-watch the film with the commentary track to see if I missed anything interesting though....

By the way, check out the play "The Fall of the House of Usher" by Gip Hoppe. It's a play-adaptation of Poe's story, and I read the script. It was a very intriguing play. I'd love to be able to see and/or play a part in the play if I could.... (...)