Architect Scott Campbell (a solid Ronald Foster) and his wife Nancy (a spunky performance by the fetching Merry Anders) check out an old castle located on a remote hillside in California. They are joined by lawyer Joseph Schiller (nicely played by Richard Crane) and his snippy spouse Loy (a charming turn by the lovely Erika Peters). Moreover, there's something else in the castle that wants them out of there pronto. Competently directed by veteran journeyman Maury Dexter, with a steady pace, stark, yet polished black and white cinematography by John M. Nickolaus (the use of fades and dissolves is quite nifty), a fair amount of creepy atmosphere, a tight 62 minute running time, a pleasingly shivery'n'spooky score by Henry Vars, acceptable acting, a cool array of grotesque circus freaks (Ayllene Gibbons as a friendly fat lady and Richard Kiel as a mute, menacing giant are both especially memorable), and an unexpected, but satisfying ending, this pleasant little low-budget quickie makes for a perfectly painless diversion.
Review of House of the Damned
