August Group Read #2: Hell House by Richard Matheson

[Canavan]

It’s perhaps a bit off topic, but I’m a little surprised no one has mentioned the 1973 film version of this novel. Richard Matheson wrote the screenplay and John Hough directed. The small cast included Pamela Franklin and Roddy McDowall. The movie (and the book for that matter) come across as (view spoiler)[a more explicit and far less psychologically subtle version of Shirley Jackson’s The Haunting of Hill House (hide spoiler)]. Although it’s by no means a great movie, it remains a fun one even after the passage of 40+ years.

[Latasha]

They spoil everything way before the end of the movie!

[Rachel]

as I've been reading I've been wondering if there was a movie made -- I thought that there had been, but couldn't remember. So thanks for the comment. I'll definitely try to find the movie after I finish the book.

[Will]

Rachel wrote: "page 130 (43%)

[spoilers removed]

also barrett is annoying."

I found him an entirely annoying man, and frequently pitied his wife for having to put up with him.

[Marie Helene]

Canavan wrote: "It’s perhaps a bit off topic, but I’m a little surprised no one has mentioned the 1973 film version of this novel. Richard Matheson wrote the screenplay and John Hough directed. The s..."

Thank you for the info. I thought Matheson had written the book first, then a film adaptation. I remember watching a few minutes of it on TV some years ago, late at night (of course) and thinking: 'What a dreadful mess'. I am going to give it another try, as the movie is on YouTube.

[Marie Helene]

Rachel wrote: "as I've been reading I've been wondering if there was a movie made -- I thought that there had been, but couldn't remember. So thanks for the comment. I'll definitely try to find the movie after I ..."

The movie is on YouTube, search for 'The legend of hell house'.

[Will]

I did watch the film when it came out (showing the age there!), and found it quite frightening.

Might be worth another watch, see how well it had aged.

[Rachel]

Will wrote: "Rachel wrote: "page 130 (43%)

[spoilers removed]

also barrett is annoying."

I found him an entirely annoying man, and frequently pitied his wife for having to put up with him."

LOL glad i'm not the only one!!!

[Rachel]

Marie-Helene wrote: "Rachel wrote: "as I've been reading I've been wondering if there was a movie made -- I thought that there had been, but couldn't remember. So thanks for the comment. I'll definitely try to find the..."

Thanks!!!

I own some of these DVD sets of old horror movie compilations, I'm gonna give a look see and see if by chance its on any of those, too lol.

[Will]

When I saw it in the cinema, it was on a double bill with a collection of 4 shorts, one of which has stayed with me for a long time ( and I've shamelessly nicked the final scene of the character in focus ending up hanging by his feet from the ceiling of the cellar below the bar, while vampires drew glasses of blood from the beer tap driven through his neck.)

[JL]

I was also surprised regarding that aspect of the book. I wasn't expecting it. I had seen the movie quite a few times and those elements were definitely toned down.

[Rachel]

Finished the book this morning.

IA with some of the comments here about the ending. (view spoiler)[I thought it felt rushed and wrapped up a bit too nicely. I was glad Barrett got killed off, I really didn't like him. (hide spoiler)] But otherwise it was a great read, shocking even! (view spoiler)[I wasn't expecting all that gross sex stuff! (hide spoiler)]

[Canavan]

Will wrote (in part):

When I saw it in the cinema, it was on a double bill with a collection of 4 shorts...

Yeah, I recall first seeing it under similar circumstances — as either the second or third feature of a drive-in triple bill. Back in those days, the top-billed horror features could often be pretty bad, but drive-in operators would sometimes fill out the bill with cheap, yet paradoxically better-quality B films from the early 70s and 60s. I remember being exposed to Theatre of Blood, The Devil Rides Out, and Carnival of Souls in this fashion.