The Old Dark House (1932) Movie Review | Pre-Code Horror Gem | Criminally

Hello everyone and welcome to the first episode of Criminally Underrated Classic Movies, a new series on this channel focusing on films that I think are massively overlooked and deserve to be recommended. This concept is based on a list of 75 overlooked films that I published on Letterboxd and I plan on making videos, maybe not of all of them but as many as I can. In this initial video, I focus on the first tile The Old Dark House (1932), directed by James Whale. Often overshadowed by Frankenstein or Dracula, this pre-Code horror classic is packed with Whale’s iconic blend of humor and horror. With a stellar cast-including Boris Karloff, Gloria Stuart, and Melvyn Douglas-the film creates a uniquely creepy atmosphere that’s truly unforgettable. Have a potato! #TheOldDarkHouse #JamesWhale #CriminallyUnderrated #ClassicHorror #PreCode #BorisKarloff #GloriaStuart #ErnestThesiger #CharlesLaughton #classicmovies
🟠 Letterboxd list of 75 Criminally Underrated Classic Films
letterboxd.com...
🟢 Titles featured in the video and some links to watch:
· The Old Dark House (1932)
• The old dark house 193...
· Dracula (1931)
• Drácula
· Frankenstein (1931)
• Frankenstein
· The Mummy (1932)
archive.org/de...
· The Invisible Man (1933)
archive.org/de...
· Bride of Frankenstein (1935)
archive.org/de...
🔵 Research sources and media:
· Horror Film History
www.filmsite.o...
· Boris Karloff Media
www.doctormacr...
· Ernest Thesiger Webpage
/ 98192.this_n_that
🎞️ The Horror of It All (1983) Documentary
ok.ru/video/62...
🎞️ The Frankenstein Files: How Hollywood Made a Monster (2002) Documentary
www.doctormacr...
If you want to stay in touch and further support the channel:
📜 My Substack - miriamsvintage...
☕️ Buy me a Ko-fi! - ko-fi.com/miri...
🙅🏻 My Twitter/X - / miriamclassics
🦋 My Bluesky - bsky.app/profi...
✨ My Instagram - / miriamvintageclassics
🎬 My Letterboxd - letterboxd.com...
🎶 Background Music
Prelude in C Major by Johann Sebastian Bach
Liebestraum No 3 by Franz Liszt
Thank you for watching and for your love for classic films! Xxx
Disclaimer: This is for entertainment and educational purposes only. Miriam's Vintage Classics claims no ownership of content. "Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.”

[@MiriamVintageClassics]

Don't forget to check the description box for the complete Letterboxd list of Criminally Underrated Classic Movies and also links to the films mentioned and where you can find them! Thank you for watching!

[@dmytryk7887]

The first time I saw this film it was projected in a real theater. It was being presented by The Eastman House, which was the organization that salvaged and restored the film. It has become my favorite among those early Universal horror films. The script is so intelligent and witty, and everyone in the cast is fantastic.

[@MiriamVintageClassics]

That must have been such a wonderful experience. I agree on the film's great attributes.

[@johnjames-glover4630]

That must have been an incredible experience.

[@postmodernrecycler]

The "spooky house with odd fellows over for dinner" trope all started here. Eva Moore's "Painted Women" diatribe is hysterical.

[@MiriamVintageClassics]

So true. Thanks for watching.

[@celinhabr1]

It's truly underrated. One of my favories and in my house we always use " “Have a potato!". haha

[@MothGirl007]

Classic!

[@MiriamVintageClassics]

Fantastic line and moment! I love that, thank you for watching!

[@MothGirl007]

I love The Old Dark House so much - it has everything, including great actors and direction, with a fantastic blend of humor and genuine fear. I'm so glad it's been restored and is now seen as one of the great horror classics.

[@MiriamVintageClassics]

It's great to hear about this love for The Old Dark House, I agree on what you say and I hope it gets discovered by even more people.

[@MicahMicahel]

@@MiriamVintageClassicsdirected by James Whale? I've always wanted to watch this. I almost watched it once but the print was really bad.

[@jasoncromwell4206]

So Raymond Massey and Boris Karloff actually did star together at least once. Karloff would take a stage role a few years after this where he plays a serial killer who comes back to take revenge on his aunts and his brother. When it came time to make the movie version for one reason or another Karloff couldn't reprise his role, and Raymond Massey stepped in for him to great success. That's why all the jokes about Massey looking just like Boris Karloff in "Arsenic and Old Lace."

[@johnnypalooka]

I completely agree with you. Very well researched comments, Miriam. Such a great cast and James Whale at the height of his brilliance. I like the idea of this new series you're doing. Looking forward to more.

[@MiriamVintageClassics]

Thank you for watching and the support. Much appreciated.

[@theodenking7504]

Great review! This film has been a favorite of mine for many years now. I hope you decide to examine James Whale's musical masterpiece Showboat. Released in 1936, it humbles the 50's technicolor remake.

[@MiriamVintageClassics]

Thank you! I definitely have to explore more of James Whale's filmography.

[@danielwegrzynek494]

I am awestruck by the quality of your research and presentation. Your work is as as great as the movies you are talking about. PLEASE make more of these ! My nickname is Movie Man Dan. I'm 72 years old, and worship these old classic movies - particularly The Old Dark House. As Lugosi said . . . " I never drink . . . wine ", but I am a conasssur of these beloved films. This is my passion. I wish I could have been present when this was filmed. You touched my heart on this one. 👍👍👍🦇🎃🎥

[@MiriamVintageClassics]

@@danielwegrzynek494 So glad to hear that, thanks so much for the kind feedback. I hope you enjoy future episodes of this series and other videos just as much.

[@TinaBiebe]

I’ve not only seen The Old Dark House I own a blu-ray special edition. 😊 I love it and although I didn’t go into it thinking I would, Laughton’s character might have become my favorite, especially upon hearing that despite his title, he came from humble beginnings and only wanted to give the best to his first wife. I thankfully learned about the movie thanks to the internet in Gloria Stuart (due to Titanic), then realized the connection to James Whale (Bride of Frankenstein is one of my all time favorites). Thesinger and Karloff were the cherries on top. 😁 I look forward to the rest of your series. Now please have a potato 🥔

[@MiriamVintageClassics]

That's fantastic. I also loved Charles Laughton's performance but Thesiger antics just won me over. Thanks a lot for watching and commenting. I definitely will 🥔

[@kiplingslastcat]

Very cool. Subscribed!

[@MiriamVintageClassics]

@@kiplingslastcat Thank you!

[@uslines]

Charles Laughton was great. A favorite actor of mine.

[@MiriamVintageClassics]

@@uslines Mine, too.

[@PhilipWeisman-dl4ik]

Often overlooked playing the part of, l believe, 102 year old Roderick Femm, is Elspeth Dudgeon, billed as John Dudgeon so as to achieve a high pitched thin voice. Also, in 1932, was the very over the top Cecil B. De Mille film THE SIGN OF THE CROSS also with Charles Laughton, Claudette Colbert & Fredric March.

[@bhartley868]

Perfect the torrential rain storm that drives you forcibly, into the old dark house for uncertain refuge, how marvelous... The stuff of nightmares ...

[@paulbuerton8143]

My party trick for years was playing Saul and freaking everybody out

[@maxdewinter9472]

Have seen The Old Dark House but it wasn't as crisp and clear as the clips you show here. I'll have to take another look. The version you link to looks to be great quality. Thanks!

[@MiriamVintageClassics]

It's definitely worth checking out again and it is better quality. There's also I believe a Eureka Entertainment’s 4K Restoration that I will also track down. Thank you for watching!

[@stevendavis1940]

I agree this is a great old movie. Karloff is very good.

[@PhilipWeisman-dl4ik]

Loved the eclectic nature of your Letterboxed Film List. Several of my own personal favoritesare the : YOUNG AND INNOCENT, THE WINDOW, DAISY KENYON, DESTRY RIDES AGAIN, MR. AND MRS. SMITH, IT STARTED WITH EVE and MARNIE : the dynamic range and final monologue of Louise Latham is amazing. Also, a change of pace for Diane Baker. Someday l hope to see James Whale's REMEMBER LAST NIGHT? 1935

[@MiriamVintageClassics]

I am really glad for the comment on the list. I did try to make a heterogeneous selection of many films that I thought were overlooked and that I really loved. Those you mention, I like a lot.

[@clazy8]

Fantastic review. You've not only made me want to watch this film, you've also inspired me to rewatch Frankenstein for the first time since I was a kid and Bride for the first time ever.

[@MiriamVintageClassics]

Thank you for watching and for your comment. That sounds great, I hope you enjoy Bride of Frankenstein as much as I did.

[@buzzawuzza3743]

I agree with you. All four James Whale Universal horror films are great. All we had were still photographs of this film for the longest time. Best of luck to you with this new series, you're off to a good start.

[@MiriamVintageClassics]

Thanks for the support. Indeed, James Whale was a fabulous filmmaker.

[@lmboh8585]

A truly good scary movie! I was able to see it for the first time a few years ago on my home screen, but I would to see it properly in a theater. You have yourself a new subscriber :)

[@MiriamVintageClassics]

@@lmboh8585 I totally agree, this would be a fantastic watch on the big screen and public to share with. Thanks a lot!

[@simonKagree]

I have a DVD of this movie -- it's pretty good. Not perfect, but worth seeing if you have not. Don't expect much from Karloff -- it's all about the other actors.

[@skurge101]

Awesome movie well on par with Whale’s Frankenstein, wonderful to see it get some much deserved love!

[@tltatt]

I need to check out The Old Dark House after your review and I'm looking forward to more videos in this series of Criminally Underrated Classic Movies.

[@MiriamVintageClassics]

It's really worth seeing, there's a link to the film in the description box. Thank you for your feedback.

[@Kjt853]

I read JB Priestley’s novel “Benighted” before I saw this movie, and frankly, I couldn’t understand what the point was. When I finally got to see the movie, however, I enjoyed it so much that I didn’t look for a “point.” The movie was its own point.

[@ReachForTheSkyVideo]

Have a potato.

[@DansTravels5823]

I love this movie and your commentary pretty much covers why.

[@zacharyjohnson598]

I watch it every October.

[@sirjjhorror]

Old Dark House is well respected within the horror genre.

[@RSEFX]

Terrific film. I prefer it to FRANKENSTEIN, in fact. Thanks for covering it. Thumbs up!

[@johnw706]

It's good to see you back with another video . I saw this film several years ago , and I have to admit that I wasn't overly impressed with it in general . As you stated , the acting was really good , but the film as a whole didn't really resonate with. me . That said , listening to your breakdown of the Old Dark House , makes me want to watch it again . Perhaps I wasn't' in the mood for it when I initially saw it . I will watch it again , and give my comments later on . Thank you for encouraging me to give it a reappraisal !

[@RSEFX]

I'd like to see NON-STOP NEW YORK (1936) restored. Not a film given much attention, but is is lively fun thriller/comedy in the Hitchcock mold, with touches of SF and a wonderfully colorful cast. Directed by Robert Stevenson, who has directed many memorable films (including work for Disney, much later, such as MARY POPPINS.) The only copies available are pretty bad, with the soundtrack at times a bit hard to make out from the standpoint of some of its rapid dialogue and the nuances of the wacky characterizations.

[@stillbuyvhs]

Wasn't it lost for decades?

[@MiriamVintageClassics]

@@stillbuyvhs I mentioned this in the video.

[@johnjames-glover4630]

At last!! Someone else who loves this movie too.

[@BryanBledsoe-b3w]

A excellent scary movie with a lot of laughs