House of Darkness (1948)

Top billing in the opening cast credits goes to orchestra leader George Melachrino, and his music on the soundtrack is sometimes so loud it makes it hard to make out the dialogue; but the unchallenged star of this slice of spooky period hokum is the very young Laurence Harvey, who has special billing to himself in this, his film debut.Most of Harvey's early film appearances under his contract with Associated British were petty inconspicuous, so it comes as a shock to discover that his actual debut was here in a very showy lead role with lots and lots of sneering close-ups. Aged just 19, still with a hint of puppy fat about his features and immaculately turned out in bow-tie and Edwardian costume, he looks little different from his days of Hollywood stardom just over ten years later, but is even less endearing than usual as an arrogant, self-centred schemer. Obviously made on a shoestring but strangely compelling viewing, you won't forget the ghostly musical duet at the end in a hurry!

They called them quota quickies over across the pond, what we term as B films. House Of Darkness would be a forgotten film today other than the fact it introduced Laurence Harvey in his very first film. Harvey in his time played some truly dislikeable people on the screen and he certainly gets that aspect of his personality across in this film. He plays the wastrel son who with his wife is sharing a rather large and gloomy mansion house with his much brother older brother and his wife. Brother Alexander Archdale controls the family purse strings and he keeps Harvey on a tight leash.No need to go into the plot details. House Of Darkness was shot on a few brass farthings for a budget. But the atmosphere created was pretty frightening. There was also no doubt that Laurence Harvey had some charismatic screen presence even playing a real cad. For fans of Laurence Harvey.

This film begins and ends in a bizarre fashion.George Melachrino,who had a string orchestra that rivalled Mantovannis,starts with a full orchestral number and then lurches into the tale of his stay in a haunted house.Laurence Harvey in his first film starts as he intends to go on.He is arrogant,ego maniac ambitious and almost a murderer.The screenwriter seems to have utilised parts of other films here and there.A bit of The Little Foxes,a dash of Gaslight,and a dollop of Master of Bankdam there.Whilst the supporting cast is reasonable they are literally overwhelmed by the acting of Harvey.Having acquired the house,and driven everyone else away he goes mad playing the piano.We then fade back into Henry Oscar asking George Melachrino to play another number,which he does.An interesting debut.

Conductor George Melachrino (playing himself) explains to film director Bob (Henry Oscar) how he came to write the piece of music that we hear at the beginning of the film. We go back in flashback to when he spent the night in a haunted house and heard music in the atmosphere from a forgotten time. We then go into another flashback and our main story which sees Francis (Laurence Harvey) do everything in his power to get control of the house. This includes the psychological torture of his two brothers. However, things come back to haunt him....literally....It's a short psychological thriller with a spooky element. Is the ghost of John (Alexander Archdale) a figment of Francis's imagination? Or is there something supernatural going on? How did John's picture re-appear on the wall? The cast are good although Laurence Harvey is extremely unlikeable. I know he's meant to be but he is also slimy and creepy and he's got an annoying face that makes you want to punch it. Maybe he's slightly over-the-top. Still, it's an enjoyable film while it lasts. And it inspired a piece of music!