Review - The Uninvited (1944)

The Uninvited (1944) is a supernatural horror story that revolves around a brother (Rick – Ray Milland) and sister (Pamela – Ruth Hussey), who buy a mansion on the coast of Cornwall. As the plot unfolds, the now former owner, Commander Beech (Donald Crisp), is aware of strange things going on there, and the focus of the various events involve his granddaughter, Stella (Gail Russell). The film builds more on the suspense of the situation the main characters find themselves in, and the mystery of the house and and how it involves Stella. That’s as much of the plot that I want to give you, but I want to also add that Alan Napier (Alfred from Batman in the ‘60s) also appears in this film.

The Uninvited poster - IMDB

Why this film works so well is thanks to the sense of foreboding that Rick and Pamela experience in the house, as well as the experiences of Stella when she spends time there. The performances by the lead and supporting actors is excellent, especially Ray Milland and Donald Crisp. I’ve seen Milland in a numerous AIP films from the late ‘50s to mid-’70s, when he did a lot of science fiction and horror films. Crisp I have also seen in a few other films over the years, and Gail Russell I remember best from The Angel and the Badman (1947) with John Wayne.

Napier, Milland, Russell, and Hussey - sceance scene - IMDB

The Univited is a solid entry in horror films, and a classic that holds up well today. The location of the main house that is the focus of the film is set near a cliff boarding the ocean, and there are some sequences that add to the foreboding, some of which had to be conveyed mainly by dialog between Rick and Pamela, other times with some filming techniques. Not wanting to give some of that away, in case anyone is interested in seeing it. Except one scene where Rick is playing a piece of music he is composing for Stella, and suddenly turns from cheerful to a more dark tune. The piece, played on a piano (there are at least two in the house, unsurprising as Rick is a composer and music critic), is an interesting piece, although I doubt Ray Milland is actually playing the piano.

Something I want to note about Gail Russell, and this goes back to the first film I saw her in, The Angel and the Badman. I had to look her up, and saw that her life was filled with tragedy, dying quite young at the age of 36. Truly tragic loss. There are several other films that I have seen her in, but The Uninivted and The Angel and the Badman are the two I know her best from. You can find out more about Russell on her wikipeida page - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gail_Russell

There is a lot to like about this film, including the directing by Lewis Allen, and the music score which enhances a suspenseful film, but mostly the story itself is interesting and unfolds with several wrinkles here and there, and an unexpected twist that caught me off guard the first time I saw it.

I have horror film host Svengoolie to thank for introducing me to The Uninvited. This is the second time he has shown it that I am aware of, and it is a fine film to watch, although he has edited it down some in order to fit the film in his time slot. Darn. I am seriously considering picking it up on DVD just so I can see the unedited full version.

Thanks for stopping by.

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