Customer Reviews

House of the Seven Gables [VHS]

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Vincent Price did not always do horror movies, but he was always a good actor and this film proves it. Price actually does not play the heavy in this film, that role falls to George Sanders who excels in a role where he deals out treachery. Price, Sanders and Margeret Lindsay all give outstanding performances. This may not be Vincent Price's best film, but it certainly ranks up there as one of his best performances. This is not a horror film, but it is a dark film that shows the impact greed can cause. The ending seems a little rushed, but it is still effective. There are no special effects and just simple sets, but the story and fantastic acting make this a great film for a wide range of viewers.

It's not worth buying these discs. Mine stuttered and broke up throughout the length of the movie. If the studios are going to want us to pay $17 to $20 for DVD-Rs, they're going to have to press them better than this. I press DVD-Rs on my Mac and they have no problems on any of my players, so it's not like DVD-Rs are inherently bad.

Shame on Amazon.

THE HOUSE OF SEVEN GABLES (Joe May, 1940) is typical Golden era studio-bound Hollywood fare. This DVD release has the film in gorgeous black and white and very good sound quality, but no subtitles at all and no extras.
It is based on a classic story by Nathaniel Hawthorne. This tale of betrayal, time-defying love and revenge revolves around two brothers of very different character, one joyously romantic (the tall and early Vincent Price in his 6th film credit), one greedy and vile beyond belief (the tall and great George Sanders, of many a classic movie). Sanders, strangely, doesn't seem completely at ease with his part, maybe because the character he plays is quite one-dimensional, with no redeeming feature, exhibiting no charm or wit (Sanders' trademark roles have those two elements). It's Price who shines most here, his part requiring him to display a wide range of emotions, from unabashed romantic love to a doomed sense of fate, from sprightly young musician to revenge seeker to former convict in old age. One interesting side of the story is its psychanalytical use of the curse plaguing the Pyncheon family. The supporting actors are uniformly good, and the musical score is by Hubert J. Salter. 87 minutes of the best B-movie kind, from a time when actors had room to stretch and carry the films on their shoulders, without the help of special effects or fast editing.

I am glad I bought a copy of this DVD. I must admit the menu thing does not work like typical DVD copies but the movie transfer is of enough quality to me. The transfer comes in original Standard format and no subtitles are provided. As far as the movie concerns, I really enjoyed Vincent Price in his betrayed brother role. I really think Vincent Price was a top drama actor not only suitable for horror films. I think many people would enjoy the story. It has everything, brother to brother jellowsy, impossible love, and sweet revenge, all that without the need of special effects. Great movie.

The 1940 theatrical version of THE HOUSE OF THE SEVEN GABLES bears little resemblance to Nathaniel Hawthorne's novel.

VHS art work depicts Vincent Price in a starring role. Although his was a main character, the pivotal role in this melodrama clearly belongs to Margaret Lindsay as Hepzibah Pyncheon. She's in the lion's share of scenes and is clearly most affected by events that are often beyond her control.

SYNOPSIS--
The seven-gabled house has been cursed since the 1600s, when Geoffrey Pyncheon caused the execution for witchcraft of an innocent man. Matthew Maule's property is usurped by Pyncheon; thus the origin of the famous curse.

In 1812, bad investments of Jaffrey Pyncheon (Sanders) bankrupt the family, so older brother Clifford and father Gerald (Emery) ally against him to sell the home. The three men quarrel. Later, the father changes his mind about selling. He and a disappointed Clifford shout at each other until the old man dies from a sudden seizure. Jaffrey, who saw what happened testifies in court that Clifford murdered their father. His brother is imprisoned for life.

With Clifford eliminated, Jaffrey believes the house is now his. Plans to search for treasure rumored hidden on the Pyncheon estate are thwarted at the will reading, when sole ownership is given to Cousin Hepzibah, who is also Clifford's fiancée. She immediately banishes Jaffrey then resolutely waits, praying over the many years for her love's release from prison.

Some two decades later, fate brings Clifford in contact with Matthew Maule (Foran), descendant of the first man to be wronged by a Pyncheon. They become fast friends and together plot revenge against Jaffrey.


As of 6/09, this picture was not available on DVD.

Related item:
Hawthorne published THE SCARLET LETTER in 1850, one year before "Seven Gables." This 1934 version features silent era stars Colleen Moore and Henry B. Walthall. (VHS) (DVD)


Parenthetical number preceding title is a 1 to 10 viewer poll rating found at a film resource website.

(7.5) The House of the Seven Gables (1940) - George Sanders/Margaret Lindsay/Vincent Price/Dick Foran/Nan Grey/Cecil Kellaway/Alan Napier/Gerald Emery/Charles Trowbridge

Surprisingly effective, this very early effort (1940) by Vincent Price hints at his horror excellence to come. Although there's little true terror here, witness the sudden turn of madness at the end of Clifford's murder trial. Vincent plays it to a T.