House of Usher (film)

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House of Usher (also known as Fall of the House of Usher)
Original Theatrical Poster
Directed by	Roger Corman
Produced by	Roger Corman; James H. Nicholson, Samuel Z. Arkoff (Exec Prods)
Written by	Richard Matheson
Starring	Vincent Price Mark Damon Myrna Fahey Harry Ellerbe
Music by	Les Baxter
Cinematography	Floyd Crosby
Distributed by	American International Pictures
Release date(s)	22 June 1960
Running time	79min
Language	English
Allmovie profile
IMDb profile

House of Usher (also known as Fall of the House of Usher and The Mysterious House of Usher) is a 1960 horror movie based on the Edgar Allan Poe story "The Fall of the House of Usher". Directed by Roger Corman and written by Richard Matheson, it was the first of a number of films Corman directed based on Poe's works. It stars Vincent Price and Mark Damon.

In 2005, House of Usher was added to the United States National Film Registry as being deemed "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant."

1 Plot
2 Art Direction
3 Reception
4 Full Cast List
5 References and Resources
6 External links

[edit] Plot

After falling in love with the apparently normal Madeline Usher, Philip Winthrop (Mark Damon) travels from Boston to visit his fiancé and her brother. Upon arrival he is surprised to find the Usher household in ruins, surrounded by barren and lifeless grounds. The eerie household is kept by the butler, Bristol, and lead by the severe and strict Roderick Usher (Madeline's brother played by Vincent Price). Philip learns that the Usher family is afflicted by a cursed bloodline which has driven all their relatives and ancestors to madness, evil and debauchery (this is played out in a particularly memorable scene where Roderick narrates the lives of his family whilst showing Philip the bizarrely sinister family portraits). Though Roderick shows signs of illness and weakness supposedly passed on by the tainted blood (including almost colorless hair), Madeline seems to show no sign of this however Roderick remains adamant that not only should Philip not marry her but that he should leave immediately as his and Madeline's deaths are imminent. The story continues as Philip discovers more and more about the Usher history and house and becomes increasingly desperate to take Madeline away.

Before he manages this however Madeline dies suddenly and is buried in the family crypt. As Philip is leaving the butler lets slip that Madeline suffered from catalepsy (a condition which can make sufferers appear dead). Philip opens the coffin to find it empty proving that Madeline is alive. Philip desperately searches for her in the ancient catacombs of the old house but he is too late as the now completely insane Madeline gets to her brother first and gets her revenge for him prematurely burying her. The film ends in traditional fashion as the house burns to the ground.

[edit] Art Direction

Roger Corman worked with art director Daniel Haller and together they attempted to create a "feel" to the house that although little is seen of it, it still manages to be isolated and yet claustrophobic. The whole film is overflowing with a deep red that not only gives it a sinister undertone it manages not to be dark and monochrome, but dramatic and striking.

[edit] Reception

The Fall of the House of Usher sparked the successful combination of Roger Corman, Vincent Price and Edgar Allan Poe and from it stemmed a series of films inspired or adapted by the latter’s novels. When it was released, however, many respected critics did not think highly of it and it was only later that they began to recognize and credit Corman for his superb talent for creating good films on a tight budget. Although it was not critically acclaimed it was a success at the box office and a cult quickly formed around the Poe related Corman films.