Vic’s Classic’s – Robert Wise’s “The Haunting” (1963)

Three people are recruited by a paranormal investigator to help uncover the secrets of Hill House, a mansion overwhelmed by spirits of its former residents in this classic horror flick based on The Haunting of Hill House, a novel by Shirley Jackson. As the guests delve deeper into the home’s past, they are seduced further into its sinister web. Julie Harris, Ronald Adam, Claire Bloom, Lois Maxwell and Russ Tamblyn star.

Victor – 9 out of 10

The dark and cavernous Hill House, in Robert Wise’s brilliant film, The Haunting, is a brooding, beastly menace. It is a character all on it’s own. It is a living, breathing horror that completely devours the protagonists in this nerve tingling classic horror film.

Based on the novel The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson, Robert Wise’s film actually improves on the actual source material. Wise made a very smart decision to have the large Hill mansion come alive in an evil and bleak way.

The film stars Julie Harris as a repressed and suffering woman named Eleanor, who is called to Hill House to participate in an experiment by Richard Johnson who plays Dr Markway. She accepts and is immediately pulled in by the history and dark nature of the House. There she meets others who were invited. One being Claire Bloom who plays the worldly and free spirited psychic, Theodora. The woman bond but not so much at first. There is a repressed sexual tension between them that Wise hints at. Meanwhile when they have all gathered and get settled in by the lanky and spooky Mrs Dudley its from that point onwards that we become involved and immersed in the wicked spell of the house.

Dr Markway proceeds to tell them the history of the house and all of the deaths and suicides that have occurred. He hopes to provoke responses from those gathered. One being a nephew of the current owner of Hill House played by Russ Tamblyn (West Side Story). In the prologue of the film there is a brilliant introduction to the many bizarre happenings that involved the Crane family.

It is in this history that we become witnesses to terror. As the film moves along and unfolds, our protagonists are subjected to the whims of Hill House. Here is where Robert Wise and Cinematographer Davis Boulton really shine. There are deep shadows, unsettling angles and stark and soft focus within shots of the hallways, stairs and rooms of the house. The interior of the house is forbidding and alive. Wise, using his actors remarkably, uses sounds, light and shadow to provoke fear from them. Particularly in the bedroom sequence where Eleanor and Theo are trying to console each other as a loud, evil presence proceeds to scare them and approaches their door. It is what we do not see that scares and unnerves us. Wise makes sure of this.

Make no mistakes, this is a horror film and it does frighten and holds up very well to this day. There is the dread that permeates the very walls of the house and Bloom and Harris excel at showing us their very frightful and vulnerable sides. They cower, yell, scream and unravel during the Haunting. We indeed find out what the real mystery is but not before being subjected to a fearful experience in fantastic black and white photography that completely chills us to the bone.

This film is a marvel to behold. It is creepy. It is classy and elegant. It is well acted and very terrifying. I hold it in very high regard. The score by Humphrey Searle is chilling and effective. The screenplay by Nelson Gidding is pitch perfect capturing and excelling upon the source material wonderfully. I cannot recommend this film any higher. It has a simple and horrific set up and menacing execution. Not since “The Innocents” before it has a film about a very haunted House been this beautifully done. One of Robert Wise’s best films and he has done films in just about every genre. Enjoy!

Vic’s Classics: Somebody Up There Likes Me

Based on boxer Rocky Graziano’s autobiography and directed by Robert Wise, this poignant biopic nabbed Oscars for Cinematography and Art Direction. Raised in a slum, young Graziano (Paul Newman) has turned to a life of petty crime. He eventually discovers boxing and makes a living fighting in fixed games. But as he develops his talent, Graziano gradually gains self-respect — and spars his way to becoming the Middleweight Champion of the World.

Victor
Rating: 8 out of 10

I have always been amazed by director Robert Wises’ versatility. His near perfect command at helming such iconic genre gems like “The Haunting,” “The Day The Earth Stood Still,” “The Sound of Music,” “Audrey Rose” and even “Star Trek The Motion Picture” has made a long standing impression on me. It was once again a pleasant experience re-watching this great American drama film he directed back in 1956 called “Somebody Up There Likes Me.” Pardon the pun but they don’t make them like this anymore. Think of this film as your grandfather’s “Rocky,” except that this all really happened. It is a biopic about the grisled, hard, ex-convict Rocky Graziano who was dishonorably discharged from the army.

On his way to the top of the boxing circuit, though, Graziano stumbled across a fellow inmate from prison and was blackmailed into taking a fall and faking an injury. It is quite a test of character for Graziano, portrayed by Paul Newman, whoo sees it can be no easy feat.

Wise, of course, elicits great performances from everyone involved in the film and Newman stands out. He is vibrant, intense and very fit in the role. He exudes vitality and just the right amount of ignorance and vulnerability to make it all really gel. Newman’s acting excels here and he looks great doing it. He delivers his lines with perfect pitch and accent due the character and locale. It was fun watching him grow through the punches and even the comedy of the film. Pier Angeli as his wife Norma is a sight to behold and plays beautifully opposite Newman. She keeps him very grounded in the real moments of the film and the believability comes through.The supporting cast which includes a very creepy Robert Loggia, Sal Mineo and even a young Steve McQueen all impress.

The elegant, but at times gritty black and white cinematography by Joseph Ruttenberg, won an Oscar as did the art direction. Highly Recommended.