. . . HOUSE OF WAX in perhaps the most ironic movie of all time. Prior to 1953, all big films served the dual purpose of providing entertainment and history lessons with "redeeming social value." BIRTH OF A NATION. The first BEN-HUR and MUTINY ON THE BOUNTY. Then, in 1939, GONE WITH THE WIND, of course. HAMLET. Countless biographies, such as Emile Zola, the "great" Ziegfield, and Madame Curie. Then along came television, and everything changed. Everyone wanted to stay home to watch AMER1CAN BANDSTAND, DEATH VALLEY DAYS, and HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA for free on their expensive new home machines, rather than waste money on gas, concessions, and movie tickets to see "the same old, same old." (The "concessions" in the family Frigidaire were far cheaper, and Jiffy Pop was just a few years away.) Hollywood had to come up with something new, and they did, starting with HOUSE OF WAX: the so-called "3D" film, which continues to break the budget of every American family with spoiled kids right up to this very day! The crowning irony is that HOUSE OF WAX still is the best 3D flick of all time, especially with its paddle ball gimmick. Even more ironic, is spells out Hollywood's sinister game plan, to replace solid Western Civilization history lessons with Cheap Thrills. During the prologue of this story, Vincent Price's character represents Golden Age Hollywood, all about quality and worth. But when unprincipled rivals cut into his bottom line, this wax house proprietor sinks immediately to the bottom of the barrel to become a monstrously-deformed crass serial killer, only "in it for the money." Never before or since has a major America Industry been so honest about its evil intentions. So kudos for HOUSE OF WAX, the best 3D flick ever, as well as the most honest film in history!
Review of House of Wax
