In 1944, The Uninvited was released, a classic horror film that has since become a favorite of many. The film stars Ray Milland and Ruth Hussey and tells the story of a brother and sister who move into a haunted house on the coast of Cornwall. The film begins with siblings Roderick and Pamela Fitzgerald (Milland and Hussey) on holiday in Cornwall. They come across a beautiful abandoned house and decide to buy it, with the idea of turning it into a coastal retreat. The house is situated on the edge of a cliff and has stunning views of the sea. It seems like a dream come true, but they soon discover that they are not the only ones living in the house.
Strange things start happening almost immediately. Doors that were locked the night before are found open the next day, and there are unexplained noises coming from the house's upper floors. Roderick and Pamela hire a local woman, Miss Holloway (played by Cornelia Otis Skinner), to be their housekeeper, and she too senses that something is not right.
The Fitzgeralds soon become convinced that the house is haunted, and they are determined to find out why. They enlist the help of a local historian, Dr. Scott (Alan Napier), who discovers that the house has a tragic past. The previous owner, a beautiful young woman named Stella (Gail Russell), had died under mysterious circumstances, and her ghost is said to haunt the house.
As Roderick and Pamela investigate the history of the house, they uncover more and more secrets about its past. The ghostly presence becomes more and more intense, with strange happenings occurring night after night. Roderick becomes increasingly obsessed with finding a rational explanation for what is happening, while Pamela is more open to the idea that the house is truly haunted.
The Uninvited is a classic ghost story that relies more on atmosphere and tension than on special effects. Director Lewis Allen manages to build a sense of unease throughout the film, with scenes of the house lit only by candles, and the constant sound of the sea crashing against the cliffs outside. One scene, in particular, where the ghostly presence is revealed, has become a favorite of horror fans. It's a simple scene, but it's very effective.
The performances in the film are all excellent. Ray Milland, fresh from his Oscar-winning turn in The Lost Weekend, plays Roderick as a rational and level-headed man who is determined to explain away the strange happenings in the house. Ruth Hussey is equally good as Pamela, who is more open to the idea that the house is haunted. Gail Russell, in her debut role, is beautiful and haunting as the ghost of Stella.
The Uninvited is also notable for being one of the first Hollywood films to incorporate a ghostly presence in a serious way. Up until that point, ghosts had mostly been played for laughs in comedies. The film's serious tone helped to establish the idea of ghosts as a legitimate subject for horror films, paving the way for future classics like The Haunting and The Sixth Sense.
In conclusion, The Uninvited is a classic ghost story that has stood the test of time. Its focus on atmosphere and tension, as opposed to jump scares and special effects, makes it a standout in the horror genre. The performances are excellent, and the story is well-told, with engrossing twists and turns. If you're a fan of classic horror films, The Uninvited is a must-see.
