‎The Legend of Hell House 1973 directed by John Hough Reviews, film + cast

film legend of hell house

McDowall’s portrayal of Benjamin Fischer, a tortured soul caught between the realms of the living and the dead, is particularly outstanding. The Haddonfield, Illinois residence where a young Michael Myers murdered his sister in John Carpenter's original Halloween (1978) is actually located in South Pasadena. Abandoned at the time of the filming, it was later remodeled and moved a few blocks north from its original location. Despite the changes, the two-story office building should still be recognizable to horror movie buffs. Known today as the Century House, the building was named South Pasadena Cultural Landmark No. 34 and is located just steps from the South Pasadena Station of the Metro L Line (Gold). The late 1970s through the early 90s was a golden age of the horror/slasher flick, and nowhere was filming of the genre more prevalent than in the City of Angels and its environs.

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The Legend of Hell House is a 1973 gothic supernatural horror film directed by John Hough, and starring Pamela Franklin, Roddy McDowall, Clive Revill, and Gayle Hunnicutt. It follows a group of researchers who spend a week in the former home of a sadist and murderer, where previous paranormal investigators were inexplicably killed. Its screenplay was written by American author Richard Matheson, based upon his 1971 novel Hell House. Aging millionaire Rudolf Deutsch wants to be assured of the existence of life after death. He offers a group of parapsychologists and mediums £100,000 each if they will investigate the notoriously haunted Belasco mansion, which has been nicknamed Hell House. A previous attempt to explore the house sent all but one of the investigating team insane.

film legend of hell house

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Despite mixed reviews upon its release, “The Legend of Hell House” has gained a deserved cult following over the years. Its legacy as a horror classic is cemented by its ability to go beyond conventional scares and explore deeper emotional themes. The film’s artistic merit continues to captivate audiences, making it a must-watch for horror movie enthusiasts. Richard Matheson’s screenplay (which he adapts from his novel Hell House) conjures a terrifying antagonist that plays well against the eerie atmosphere Hough establishes. Emeric Belasco is revealed to have been a despicable man in life and seems to have somehow continued that distinction in death.

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However, it does draw inspiration from real-life haunted house legends and paranormal experiences. “The Legend of Hell House” is not your typical haunted house film. It delves into psychological horror, relying on tension and suspense rather than cheap jump scares. The intricate relationships between the characters add a layer of complexity to the story, as they navigate their own personal demons while confronting the malevolent forces within the house. In Child's Play 2, the 1990 sequel to the cult favorite, Andy is sent to live with a foster family in a large two-story Craftsman residence located on a quiet street in South Pasadena. Unfortunately for Andy, his demon doll, Chucky, manages to track him down at the home and continues with his plan to possess his body.

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Even though he is deceased, Belasco’s presence permeates the home. He has left haunting mementos behind and seems to have substantial posthumous influence over the participants of the study. I will, however, say that the finale is mind-melting in the best possible way. The third act goes all out, proving to be both unhinged and surreal. Despite the fact that it was released over 40 years ago, John Hough's The Legend of Hell House still remains one of the greatest and most effective haunted house films ever committed to celluloid.

The mansion was added to the National Register of Historic Places in March 1978, and designated Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument No. 212 in May 1979. Although to remind everyone again, these places are occupied so let’s not knock on the doors or walk on people’s lawns. In the last scene where Joseph Gordon Levitt has his interview… That’s the Bradbury building. However, some of these masterful works of art we call sets are just good ol’ fashion buildings that stand in Los Angeles today. Discovering the naughtiest gay nightlife so you never miss out.

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The Legend of Hell House is a classic horror movie that has captivated audiences with its eerie atmosphere and chilling storyline. With its talented cast, gripping plot, and hauntingly beautiful cinematography, it continues to be a favorite among horror enthusiasts. From its origins as a novel to its adaptation onto the big screen, this movie has left an indelible mark on the horror genre. So grab some popcorn, turn off the lights, and prepare to be terrified by this haunting tale.

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In any case, this house is unique enough to make it a pit stop in your Los Angeles tour. The Ennis House is located at 2607 Glendower Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027. The Nightmare on Elm Street house, where Nancy lived is located at 1428 Genessee Avenue, West Hollywood, Los Angeles. The original star, Heather Langenkamp played a great final girl at this location! It’s too bad her dreamy Johnny Depp Boyfriend who lived across the street didn’t make it ’til the end.

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Stricken by the accusation, Fischer drops his psychic shields, but he is immediately attacked. The infamous prom scene from the 1976 Brian De Palma film, Carrie took place at the gym of the former Pier Avenue Junior High School in Hermosa Beach. While the school’s gym interior was used for some filming, a replica of it was created on a soundstage at Culver Studios for the massacre scene. Pier Avenue Junior High shut its doors in 1975 and was subsequently converted into the Hermosa Beach Community Center, which still looks largely the same as it did in "Carrie."

16 Scariest Haunted House Movies to Freak You Out in Your Own Home - The Lineup

16 Scariest Haunted House Movies to Freak You Out in Your Own Home.

Posted: Tue, 25 Dec 2018 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Immediately after Corbett’s quote fades away, Hough goes to work establishing an atmosphere of unease. When the participants enter the titular Hell House, all the lights are out and the home is eerily quiet. We can hear the sound of footsteps on the stone floors echoing off the walls. In one early shot, the camera looms behind the cast, gradually drawing closer until it almost seems as if it will swallow each participant whole; like some kind of silent, supernatural force. Flourishes like that establish a profound level of unease long before the first sign of paranormal activity appears.

The ‘Hell House’ of the title, one time home of sadistic debauchee Emeric Belasco (a character clearly based on notorious magician Aleister Crowley), is Wykehurst Park, Colwood Lane, Bolney, Haywards Heath. Disappointingly, the Victorian Gothic fantasy is a private home and not visible from the road. The palatial home of the obviously stinkingly rich Mr Deutsch (Roland Culver), who commissions the investigation, is Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, Oxfordshire.

One of the film’s strengths lies in its ability to keep viewers guessing with unexpected twists and turns. The script, written by Matheson himself, masterfully combines elements of exorcism, possession, and psychic phenomena to create a truly chilling narrative. The production design deserves special mention, as it successfully brings the haunted mansion to life, enveloping the audience in a world of darkness and dread. The movie, directed by John Hough, effectively captures the eerie atmosphere of the haunted mansion through its stunning cinematography and haunting soundtrack. The performances of the cast, including Pamela Franklin and Roddy McDowall, bring depth and authenticity to the characters.

A second incident occurs a day or so later after she has become drunk. Her husband arrives a moment later to witness her advances to Fischer. He is resentful, and spurns Fischer's warnings that the house is affecting Ann.

The novel has been filmed twice, both times under the title The Haunting (1963 and 1999), and was also inspiration for William Castle’s House On Haunted Hill (1959 and 1999). In 1971, prolific horror author and screenwriter Richard Matheson successfully created his own take on Shirley Jackson’s tale, adapted his own novel to the big screen and introduced us to The Legend Of Hell House (1973). Take an Uber, a taxi, or perhaps a bus/Metro rail to find these scary movie film locations without a tour guide.

The Freeling family home can actually be found in the suburbs of Simi Valley. A six-foot scale model was used for the residence’s implosion in the film’s final sequence. The real dwelling remains very much intact and looks identical to its onscreen counterpart. Apart from this beautiful gem, we have several famous landmarks used as film locations in the movie as well.

The Doyle house, where Jamie Lee Curtis babysits, is 1530 Orange Grove Avenue, and the Wallace house, scene of the murders, is across the street at 1537 Orange Grove Avenue. The Bradbury building is used near the end where Decker fights the last robots. This picturesque structure is open to the public and in use today. You can visit the Bradbury building and check out the ironwork. Ultimately, the scene where Christine meets her demise and…well gets dragged to hell is none other than Union Station. I know, I know… it just looks like a generic train track… Union Station is a decent looking train station, but train tracks will be train tracks.

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