The Final Four

THE HOUSE OF LONG SHADOWS-An American writer Kenneth McGee (Desi Arnaz Jr.) in England makes a bet with his agent (Richard Todd) that he can write a novel in 24 hrs. while staying at an old Welsh manor. The place is suppose to be deserted but almost immediately he meets the caretakers (John Carradine and Sheila Keith). Then Mary (Julie Peasgood) a blond girl he met earlier at a restaurant shows up. He believes she's a plant by his agent to distract him. Later the mysterious Mr. Rand (Peter Cushing) shows up seeking shelter. Enter Lionel Grisbane (Vincent Price) who announces “I have returned” and says he once lived in the manor. Then Corrigan (Christopher Lee) shows up claiming he's going to buy the property. It turns out the male caretaker is Lord Grisbane, the head of a fallen clan and Grisbane and Corrigan are actually his sons! And the thought to be dead son Roderick has been held prisoner in a locked room on the manor for 40 years! A bickering couple who also show up just seem to be there to get killed. Of course it turns out Corrigan is the insane Roderick and wants revenge on Lionel who committed a murder Roderick got the blame for. He hacks his brother to death (the best scene). If this all sounds familiar it's based on the famous Gothic story “Seven Keys To Baldpate” by Earl Derr Biggers which has been filmed many times over the years (including THE OLD DARK HOUSE by James Whale in 1932). 

It's great to finally have these 4 horror icons in a movie together but it could have been better. Too much time is focused on Lucy and Ricky's son. 

Director Pete Walker started out making porno movies and later made unconventional horror stuff likeTHE CONFESSIONAL and HOUSE OF WHIPCORD. He from making films after LONG SHADOWS. Screenwriter Michael Armstrong wrote and directed the infamous MARK OF THE DEVIL and the not so infamous HORROR HOUSE with Frankie Avalon. 

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