An unnamed psychopath (Tod Slaughter) murders Sir Percival Glyde in 19th century Australia, then makes his way to London to assume Glydes' identity. He thinks that he will enjoy the mans' abode and fortunes tremendously, and is even more delighted to learn that Glyde was arranged to marry the equally rich (and young, and lovely) Laura Fairlie (Sylvia Marriott). He won't stop at anything to keep up the charade, and that includes committing various murders.
It's a ton of fun to see the wonderfully hammy Slaughter in his element in this B level Victorian melodrama. Not that many actors can play pure evil as deliciously as he does; he often commits crimes while cackling to himself, and is just such a cad that he's hilarious. He even makes time with a comely maid and then does away with her when she presents him with unfortunate news. Mr. Slaughter might as well have been constantly twirling his moustache throughout.
He's well supported by a cast including Hilary Eaves (as Laura's sister), Geoffrey Wardwell (as the young art teacher who truly loves Laura), Margaret Yarde as the unsmiling head servant, Rita Grant as that aforementioned maid, Elsie Wagstaff as Mrs. Catherick, and David Keir as the family lawyer. But the one performer who gives Slaughter some competition in terms of juicy acting is Hay Petrie as the ultra-weaselly asylum head who is always trying to get more money from the false Percival.
Producer / director George King, who also did another Slaughter classic, "The Face at the Window", gives this some good atmosphere for the modest budget, and keeps the story moving forward adequately. "Crimes at the Dark House" wraps up in a tidy 68 minutes, and has some gems of dialogue such as the memorable "I'll feed your entrails to the pigs!".
Based on the novel "The Woman in White" by Wilkie Collins; the novel would be adapted again under that title by Warner Bros. In 1948.
Eight out of 10.
It's a ton of fun to see the wonderfully hammy Slaughter in his element in this B level Victorian melodrama. Not that many actors can play pure evil as deliciously as he does; he often commits crimes while cackling to himself, and is just such a cad that he's hilarious. He even makes time with a comely maid and then does away with her when she presents him with unfortunate news. Mr. Slaughter might as well have been constantly twirling his moustache throughout.
He's well supported by a cast including Hilary Eaves (as Laura's sister), Geoffrey Wardwell (as the young art teacher who truly loves Laura), Margaret Yarde as the unsmiling head servant, Rita Grant as that aforementioned maid, Elsie Wagstaff as Mrs. Catherick, and David Keir as the family lawyer. But the one performer who gives Slaughter some competition in terms of juicy acting is Hay Petrie as the ultra-weaselly asylum head who is always trying to get more money from the false Percival.
Producer / director George King, who also did another Slaughter classic, "The Face at the Window", gives this some good atmosphere for the modest budget, and keeps the story moving forward adequately. "Crimes at the Dark House" wraps up in a tidy 68 minutes, and has some gems of dialogue such as the memorable "I'll feed your entrails to the pigs!".
Based on the novel "The Woman in White" by Wilkie Collins; the novel would be adapted again under that title by Warner Bros. In 1948.
Eight out of 10.