Once again we travel back to 1940 to check in on the horror
film output of Universal Studio! This time we have an adaptation of
Nathaniel Hawthorne's classic novel THE HOUSE OF SEVEN GABLES. Filmed both
before and since it's as straightforward an example of a melodrama filled with
familial guilt and resentment played out against a background of possible
supernatural components as you are likely to find. Did someone say Gothic Romance? Well - I did, even if
this might not be exactly what some think of when imagining that specific type
of creepy tale. I make the argument that this film may have been the template
for a few dozen similar tales over the decades with Troy
We dig deeply into the film, happy that we get to talk about
Vincent Price one more time before he exits Universal. The rest of the cast is
even more impressive with George Sanders playing his standard cad character
with arch skill. But it's the amazing Margret Lindsey as Hepzibah that takes
top acting honors bringing real longing and nuanced emotion to the most
difficult role in the story. We get return visits from Alan Napier, Cecil
Kellaway and Nan Grey with singing cowboy Dick Foran making his debut in a
Universal Horror film. As the discussion continues we talk about the changes
and additions to the original story with special attention paid to future
victim of the Black List, screenwriter Lester Cole. We also touch on the visual choices made
by director Joe May. This is a beautiful movie with much of interest to classic
horror fans and romantic drama aficionados too.
If you have any comments or questions please write to us at
thebloodypit@gmail.com and let us know what's on your mind. Thank you for
downloading and listening!
1 comment:
A little late on commenting on this, but a good podcast.
Your co-host mentioned that he knew the name Hepzibah from somewhere, but couldn't remember where.
If you both are fans of Walt Kelly's wonderful comic strip "Pogo", Mam'selle Hepzibah was the name of the French-accented female skunk who was Pogo's sometime-love interest (with the interest more on her part than his.) June Foray voiced her on the 1970s animated special.
Your podcast also reminded me that the land grant, that is such a plot point in this, was also a central plot point in Vincent Price's The Baron of Arizona, based on the real-life story of the scoundrel who forged Spanish land grants to lay claim to most of the state of Arizona.
Once again, fun podcast, I listen to it often.
Mike
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