House of the Long Shadows (1983)
Overview
An American writer goes to a remote Welsh manor on a $20,000 bet that he can write a classic novel like 'Wuthering Heights' in 24 hours. However, upon his arrival he discovers that the apparently empty manor has several rather odd inhabitants.
Cast
Vincent Price
Lionel Grisbane
Christopher Lee
Corrigan
Peter Cushing
Sebastian Grisbane
Desi Arnaz Jr.
Kenneth Magee
John Carradine
Elijah Grisbane
Sheila Keith
Victoria Grisbane
Julie Peasgood
Mary Norton
Richard Todd
Sam Allyson
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Wuchak
**_A creepy Welsh manor with Price, Lee and Cushing_**
A popular American author (Desi Arnaz Jr.) opts to write his next novel at a spooky mansion in Wales that’s supposed to be vacant… but it’s not.
The selling point of the curiously obscure "House of the Long Shadows" (1983) is the teaming of horror legends Vincent Price, Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing, not to mention John Carradine. You can’t go wrong if you’re in the mood for a mystery/horror that takes place in a huge Gothic manor or castle and the eerie happenings thereof. It’s like a live-action version of Scooby-Doo without the dog, teens or Mystery Machine.
Desi Arnaz Jr. (the son of Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball, naturally) makes for a great protagonist and it’s a shame he didn’t go on to greater success as a starring actor. Meanwhile blonde Julie Peasgood is effective enough as his potential gal, Mary, while brunette Louise English is worth a mention as Diana.
I’m not going to give anything away, but the well-done ending was borrowed for future, better movies. While it’s seemingly innovative, Shakespeare used the plot device 380 years earlier. Another interesting element of the film was borrowed by a slasher flick three years later. Speaking of borrowing, “Clue” was obviously inspired by it, not to mention much more successful, but don’t look for any goofiness here.
The movie runs 1 hour, 42 minutes, and was shot Rotherfield Park, East Tisted, Alton, Hampshire, which is about 55 miles southwest of London.
GRADE: B-
