[Demdike@Cult Labs]

House of Darkness (1948)

In his first film role Laurence Harvey plays a man who moves in with his wife to an old mansion occupied by his step brothers. An air of resentment and fear soon takes over as Harvey is driven to insanity by the nightmarish presence of the recently deceased.

Laurence Harvey is brilliant in this haunting psychological thriller. His performance as fear and psychosis take over shows what a star he'll become in later years and completely over shadows everyone else. The film has a delightful score which adds to the melancholic ghostly atmosphere. It's worth looking out for the scene where Harvey plays the piano with a violin accompaniment seen in shadow on the wall, however when Harvey steps away the violin continues in the shadow even though no one else is in the room.

Compared to some British old dark house thrillers House of Darkness is certainly second tier, but it still entertains over it's 75 minute running time thanks to Harvey's deliciously menacing portrayal of madness.

Definitely recommended when it hits around the £3 mark in the next Network sale.