During a fierce storm, several people find themselves seeking shelter in an unsettling mansion located in a secluded area of Wales. The house is inhabited by the peculiar Femm family... This haunted house film offers a strange, thrilling, and unexpectedly humorous experience, featuring a strong ensemble cast guided by one of horror's most celebrated filmmakers, James Whale. Drawing inspiration from J.B. Priestley’s novel "Benighted," the movie benefits greatly from impressive cinematography by Arthur Edeson and a script full of striking scenes. When it was first shown in America, audiences didn't respond well to it; however, as expected given its distinctly British style, it proved popular at home. It even inspired a copycat production called *The Ghoul*, which also featured Boris Karloff and Ernest Thesiger. *The Old Dark House* received another run in theaters during the late 1930s after horror had been revitalized by films like *King Kong*, but it faded from view once the rights went back to Priestley. The film seemed lost for quite some time until Curtis Harrington (known for directing television horror programs such as *Killer Bees*) discovered a print in the archives in 1968, and fortunately secured funding to restore and preserve it. As a result, despite the imperfections of the existing print, viewers who appreciate a distinctive combination of horror and comedy can now enjoy it. To fully embrace what makes this film special, you need to be open to its eccentricities, but hopefully *The Old Dark House* will continue to attract new admirers with time. The talented director and cast certainly warrant that much. 8/10

Source on TMDB