"The Strange Door" was based on the Robert Louis Stevenson story "The Sire de Maldroit's Door". The film appears to have been an effort by Universal to revive its profitable Gothic horror genre of the 30s and 40s. Unfortunately, the film has the look of a "B" movie and Director Josph Pevney was unable to rein in star Charles Laughton's hammy performance.
Alan de Maledroit (Laughton) lures unsuspecting tavern rogue Denis de Beaulieu (Richard Stapely) to his castle after framing for a murder. de Beaulieu enters the castle through the strange door of the title, a door that seems to open and close on its own without benefit of a handle or lock.
de Maledroit plans to force the young man to marry his young niece Blanche (Sally Forrest) and by selecting the most reprehensible character he could find, hopes to avenge her mother's rejection of him years earlier. Blanche's mother had died in child birth after marrying her father Edward, Alan's brother. Edward (Paul Cavanaugh) unbeknown st to Blanche, has been imprisoned in Alan's dungeon these many years. Only Edward's loyal servant Voltan (Boris Karloff) remains loyal to him.
As luck would have it, the young couple do actually fall in love. The marriage takes place but Denis feigns drunkenly in order to escape the castle with the aid of an old acquaintance Count Grasson (Alan Napier). However, Grasson is murdered and the newly weds are imprisoned in the same dungeon as Edward. Only Voltan stands between the mad de Maletroit and freedom. Can they escape?
Had Laughton's performance been controlled by a stronger director, this could have been a much better film. Karloff as usual, is better than his material in a largely supporting role. I can picture him in the de Maledroit role and bringing much more depth and horror to the role. The set pieces evoke memories of Universal's earlier horror successes. The strange door of the title has little to do with the plot other than to trap de Beaulieu in the castle.
Others in the cast include William Cottrell as Corbeau, de Maledroit's assistant and Michael Pate as Talon another of de Maledroit's thugs.
Laughton and Karloff had first appeared together in "The Old Dark House (1932). Followed by "The Black Castle" (1952) before the studio abandoned Gothic horror for the giant insect cycle.
Alan de Maledroit (Laughton) lures unsuspecting tavern rogue Denis de Beaulieu (Richard Stapely) to his castle after framing for a murder. de Beaulieu enters the castle through the strange door of the title, a door that seems to open and close on its own without benefit of a handle or lock.
de Maledroit plans to force the young man to marry his young niece Blanche (Sally Forrest) and by selecting the most reprehensible character he could find, hopes to avenge her mother's rejection of him years earlier. Blanche's mother had died in child birth after marrying her father Edward, Alan's brother. Edward (Paul Cavanaugh) unbeknown st to Blanche, has been imprisoned in Alan's dungeon these many years. Only Edward's loyal servant Voltan (Boris Karloff) remains loyal to him.
As luck would have it, the young couple do actually fall in love. The marriage takes place but Denis feigns drunkenly in order to escape the castle with the aid of an old acquaintance Count Grasson (Alan Napier). However, Grasson is murdered and the newly weds are imprisoned in the same dungeon as Edward. Only Voltan stands between the mad de Maletroit and freedom. Can they escape?
Had Laughton's performance been controlled by a stronger director, this could have been a much better film. Karloff as usual, is better than his material in a largely supporting role. I can picture him in the de Maledroit role and bringing much more depth and horror to the role. The set pieces evoke memories of Universal's earlier horror successes. The strange door of the title has little to do with the plot other than to trap de Beaulieu in the castle.
Others in the cast include William Cottrell as Corbeau, de Maledroit's assistant and Michael Pate as Talon another of de Maledroit's thugs.
Laughton and Karloff had first appeared together in "The Old Dark House (1932). Followed by "The Black Castle" (1952) before the studio abandoned Gothic horror for the giant insect cycle.