Did you ever just go on Tubi or whatever and let the recommendation engine take you? Sometimes I am so paralyzed by choice and the size of my watchlist that I just say “screw it” and let the fates decide.
That’s how I got pulled into back-to-back viewings of THE OLD DARK HOUSE (1932) and THE OLD DARK HOUSE (1963) yesterday.
Over thirty years apart, and barely anything in common, but both are horror comedies with people stuck in a run down mansion housing an eccentric family during a storm.
I didn’t realize the first film (I started with the 1932 remaster) was a comedy until a little while in. Generally the acting in movies from the 30s is a bit more broad, so I didn’t pick up on how the actors were choosing to lampshade horror tropes already (back in 32!). With Boris Karloff, Charles Laughton, and Ernest Thesiger in the cast I can be forgiven for thinking this was going to be a straight horror flick. It was an interesting slow burn.
The 63 version was much more blatant about it, especially with casting Tom Poston in the lead opposite the amazing Peter Bull, and it feels like a secret CARRY ON film.
The ladies steel the show in both films. In 1932 Eva Moore is bonkers, Lilian Bond adorable and Gloria Stuart rightfully terrified. In 1963 Janette Scott is all three? Fenella Fielding is a sweet old creep and Joyce Grenfell is funny as hell.
It is fun just sitting back and finding something entirely new (for you)! Sort of like turning on the TV back in the day and being at the whim of whatever programming director and budget allowed. I highly recommend it.
How about youz?? #WeirdWednesday
