The Old Dark House (1932)

Philip Waverton (played by Raymond Massey), his wife Margaret (played by Gloria Stuart), and Roger Penderel (played by Melvyn Douglas) become stranded in the remote Welsh mountains during a severe storm and seek refuge at a nearby ancient house. The house is occupied by Horace Femm (played by Ernest Thesiger), an eccentric atheist; his sister Rebecca (played by Eva Moore), a religious fanatic; and Morgan (played by Boris Karloff), their mute and hulking butler, who becomes violent when drunk. Two other travelers, Sir William Porterhouse (played by Charles Laughton) and Gladys DuCane (played by Lilian Bond), a chorus girl, also take shelter in the Femm house.

As the storm continues, Morgan gets drunk and attacks Margaret, but Philip knocks him unconscious. Meanwhile, Penderel and Gladys become attracted to each other and fall in love. In a remote wing of the house, Philip and Margaret discover the aged patriarch, Sir Roderick Femm (played by John Dudgeon). They learn that his eldest son, Saul (played by Brember Wills), is a pyromaniac who is locked up by Morgan, and if set free, he will burn and kill. Insane with hate, Morgan frees Saul who overcomes Penderel and tries to set fire to the house. After a struggle, Penderel kills Saul and the travelers leave the old house and never return.

Vintage magazines

Photoplay , September 1932

Books with substantial mentioning of The Old Dark House

		John T. Soister Of Gods and monsters, A critical guide to Universal Studios' science fiction, horror, and mystery films, 1929-1939 Jefferson, N.C., 1999

		Gary J. Svehla and Susan Svehla (editors) Boris Karloff Baltimore, 1996

		Gregory William Mank Hollywood Cauldron, Thirteen Horror Films from the Genres's Golden Age 1994

		James Robert Parish Ghosts and Angels in Hollywood Films, Plots, Critiques, Casts and Credits for 264 Theatrical and Made-for-Television Releases Jefferson, North Carolina, and London, 1994

		Scott Allen Nollen Boris Karloff, A Critical Account of His Screen, Stage, Radio, television and Recording Work Jefferson, NC, 1991

		John Brunas, Michael Brunas, Tom Weaver Universal Horrors, The Studio's Classic Films, 1931-1946 1990

		William K. Everson Klassiker des Horrorfilms München, 1982

		Richard Bojarski and Kenneth Beals The Films of Boris Karloff Secaucus, NJ, 1974

		William K. Everson Classics of the Horror Film, From the days of the Silent Screen to The Exorcist Secaucus, NJ, 1974