The Haunted House of Horror
London, 1969, Gary working on hip Carnaby Street opposite where his ex-girlfriend Sylvia works, both of them modelling and selling the latest fashions, their cool swag unable to save them or Gary’s latest girl Dorothy from how dull the party is which Chris has thrown, she waiting for him to show up unaware he’s unconscious in the bedroom, while downstairs the others try to make the best of it.
Sheila declaring she is bored, the suggestion is made they transfer to the old manor, in ruins and supposedly haunted, Sheila delighted at the prospect of the possibility of seeing a ghost but Sylvia less than impressed by Richard’s tales of the deaths that occurred in the house or the suggestion they hold a séance, leaving on foot but followed by Paul, a married older man who won’t accept they’re over.
Directed by Mark of the Devil’s Michael Armstrong from a script co-written with Gerry Levy, credited as “Peter Marcus,” The Haunted House of Horror is more of catwalk of late swinging sixties London fashion than effective horror or thriller, ostensibly a vehicle for pop stars Frankie Avalon and Mark Wynter as Chris and Gary but offering little material to charm audiences, supported by Richard O’Sullivan, Julian Barnes, Jill Hayworth and Carol Dinworth as Peter, Richard, Sheila and Dorothy.
With Gina Warwick’s more independent Sylvia by far the most interesting character, the rest of the the largely interchangeable ensemble shallow whiny children even though closer to their thirties than being teenagers, even she is compromised in deference to the heavy contrivances of the story, accepting a ride from Paul (George Sewell) despite repeatedly saying no to him, but The Haunted House of Horror is not brimming with good judgement.
One of the partygoers murdered under a full moon, the presumption the killer was one of the gathering, rather than informing the police the decision is made to hide the body and go their separate ways, denying they were ever together should they be questioned, something which might generate tension in a better written film but which falls flat in the absence interesting performances or atmosphere despite the potential of the locations.
A production compromised by rewrites, failed big name casting aspirations and studio demands, known variously as Horror House and The Dark and restored on Blu-ray the new edition of The Haunted House of Horror is supported by two commentaries, from critics Kim Newman and Sean Hogan and journalists Troy Howarth and Nathaniel Thompson, various interviews including Armstrong, a “making of,” two trailers and a gallery.
The Haunted House of Horror is available on Blu-ray and DVD from 88 Films
