Watch Crimes at the Dark House

Crimes at the Dark House is a 1940 British horror film directed by George King and starring Tod Slaughter, Sylvia Marriott, and Hilary Eaves. The plot centers around Slaughter's character, a wealthy and sadistic old man named Saul, who lures unsuspecting victims to his country estate in order to torture and murder them. The film opens with young lawyer Frank Osborn (John Warwick) receiving a mysterious letter requesting his presence at Dark House, the secluded estate of the sinister Saul. Upon arriving, he is greeted by a motley crew of characters, including the creepy butler (played by an uncredited Mervyn Johns), the beautiful and flirtatious Marjorie (Eaves), and the timid and heavily pregnant housekeeper (Marriott). It soon becomes clear that something sinister is afoot, as Osborn overhears Saul interrogating and torturing a young man in the basement.

As Osborn tries to uncover the truth behind Saul's dark secrets, he finds himself drawn to Marjorie, who may hold the key to unlocking the mystery of Dark House. But as the body count begins to rise and tensions mount between the various characters, it becomes increasingly difficult to distinguish friend from foe.

Full of gothic twists and macabre humor, Crimes at the Dark House is a delightfully creepy film that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. Tod Slaughter gives a standout performance as the sadistic Saul, playing him with just the right amount of over-the-top menace to make him both terrifying and entertaining. The film also features impressive set design and atmospheric cinematography, transporting the viewer to a world of shadows and secrets where nothing is quite as it seems.

Despite its low budget and limited resources, Crimes at the Dark House manages to create a haunting atmosphere that feels both familiar and unique. Fans of classic horror films will delight in its nods to the genre, from the spooky mansion to the colorful cast of characters straight out of a Gothic novel. But the film also stands on its own as a suspenseful and engaging mystery, with plenty of twists and turns to keep viewers guessing until the very end.

Overall, Crimes at the Dark House is a must-see for fans of classic horror or anyone looking for a spooky and entertaining night in. Its blend of suspense, humor, and sheer creepiness makes it a true classic of the genre, and a testament to the power of low-budget filmmaking.

Crimes at the Dark House is a 1943 crime movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 9 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.1.