Artivels Undescribable Perfection

Hayden Kane There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes

Jonah Abbott There's no way I can possibly love it entirely but I just think its ridiculously bad, but enjoyable at the same time.

Marva It is an exhilarating, distressing, funny and profound film, with one of the more memorable film scores in years,

kapelusznik18 ***SPOILERS*** Tough guy Edward G. Robinson as farmer Pete Morgan goes psycho here much like he did as "Wolf" Larson in the movie "The Sea Wolf" as he tries to keep of what the mysterious and creepy Red House-That's on his property-has hidden in it. All hell breaks loose when he hires his step daughter Meg's, Allene Roberts, boyfriend Nath Storm,Lon McCallister, as a farm hand who get's not only very romantic with Meg, whom control freak Morgan wants to keep all to himself, but insists to check out the area where the red house is located in.It soon becomes apparent that both Morgan and his live in sister Ellen, Judith Anderson, have a skeleton hidden in the closet that they've been hiding from the world for at least 15 years and in Pete Morgan's case is more then willing to kill to keep that secret from seeing the light of day. There's also both the sexy and hot to trot Tibby, Julie London, who's got the hots from the boyishly handsome Nath and the devilishly handsome local sh*t kicker Teller played by an Elvis Presley looking, some seven years before anyone ever knew of him, Rory Calhoun whom Morgan uses to terrorize anyone from finding out the secret about his red house that he keeps hidden deep in the woods.****SPOILERS**** You can see that Morgan is not all there to begin with but as the secret of the red house and what's hidden in it starts to leak out, due to the efforts of both Meg & Nath, that he completely cracks up.From at first being a kind and gentle soul who wouldn't hurt a fly to a crazed out of control lunatic going so far as murdering his own sister Ellen. It was Ellen who was about to go to the local authorities and have him committed before he did any more damage. The mentally deranged Morgan even attempts to rape, in thinking that she's his former girlfriend, and murder Meg for walking out on him by getting overly friendly with Nath whom he also attempts to murder. With the secret of the red house now known all over the papers and news outlets-radio & TV- and the police about to take him into custody Morgan makes a dash for it in his jalopy of a pick-up truck and ends up drowning himself. That as he burst into the red house's ice house-with the ice melting in the summer heat- where all the evidence of his many crimes-of some 15 years ago-are hidden.

a.lampert Delmer Daves' film noir balances between thriller and horror. Some reviewers here have said copies are not always very good but I've just watched it on Youtube and the print is really good so it may be better than DVD copies. At times I found this genuinely creepy due to a stunning performance by Edward G. Robinson. It revolves around a family of a crippled man (Robinson) his sister (Judith Anderson) and their adopted daughter (Allene Roberts). Robinson hires young Nath (Lon McCallister) to help around the farm with the heavy work. He has a girlfriend (Julie London) and jealousy soon rears it's head when Nath and the daughter become friends. Julie London's character meets bad boy Rory Calhoun (in the earliest role I've seen him) and having been given rights to hunt on farm land by Robinson, he soon develops into a troublesome guy. One thing leads to another and this gripping film, which never loses pace, escalates into a shattering climax. For most of my long life I've thought that Edward G. Robinson was one of the greatest screen actors we've ever seen and this performance, given at the top of his game, just cements that view. I doubt we'll ever see an actor more compelling than he was.I loved this film.

Steven Torrey This is a movie that works by misdirection. The viewer starts watching and thinks that Pete (Edward G. Robinson) and Ellen (Judith Anderson) might be man and wife, living with their daughter Meg (Allene Roberts). As the film unfolds, it soon becomes apparent that Meg is the 'adopted' daughter of Pete and Ellen--so that the viewer would expect that Meg considers Pete and Ellen as her parents--man and wife. Only as the film unfolds do we learn that Pete and Ellen are brother and sister, that Meg is the child of Ellen; that the father of Meg was killed (?) by Pete, out of twisted jealous love for his sister. So this is not 'madness' but a real murder mystery. Pete's unnatural desire for his niece--seems more of an attempt to silence exposure of a long distant murder.There are lose ends to the movie, but that just might be a way to let the psychological drama unfold. But they still are lose ends. For example, what exactly is Teller's (Rory Calhoun) relationship to Pete? Why does Pete need a $750 government bond? Why has Pete chosen Teller to be armed guardian of the land the Red House stands on? Does Teller plan on actually killing Meg with his gun--making him something of a sociopath? And did Pete kill Ellen's lover out of twisted love for his sister? Or was it revenge for getting his sister pregnant before marriage--not so terribly uncommon in many rural locations? It's a film that works because the presentation on the screen misdirects the viewer, and the viewer wants explanation for what is unfolding and why it is unfolding the way it is. And as the film unfolds, explanations are forthcoming.The acting, as to be expected is excellent, though oftentimes Pete's performance (Edgar G. Robinson) seems over the top; but then, this is a psycho drama with some dark passages very much like Poe's "The Fall of the House of Usher"--to which it has certain analogies. Pete drowning in quick sand at the end and Poe's house falling into the meer. It's an excellent film, worth the viewing.

SnoopyStyle Pete (Edward G. Robinson) and his sister Ellen Morgan (Judith Anderson) have raised their adopted girl Meg (Allene Roberts). Nath Storm (Lon McCallister) starts helping out at the farm for a bit of money. His girlfriend Tibby (Julie London) isn't happy with him spending time at the farm with Meg. Pete warns Nath not to use a short cut near the red house but Nath ignores him.I'm not sure if I watched the best version of this movie. It looks a bit rough in black and white. The night time scenes are really dark without much details. I certainly don't think the cinematography is getting any awards. The music is definitely the old fashion orchestra. The acting and directing style is somewhat stiff. The big exception is Edward G. Robinson. He has more acting power in his little pinkie than any of the kids.The story is a slow build. The most fascinating part is the change in Robinson's demeanor. He's a nice guy at the beginning, but then turns creepy as the movie progresses. EGR is probably the only thing that makes this movie stand out.