FlashCallahan An American writer goes to a remote Welsh manor on a $20,000 bet... to write the all American classic novel in twenty-four hours. Upon his arrival, the writer discovers that the manor, thought empty, actually has several, rather odd inhabitants, who make guest appearances throughout the film, and by George, don't they look familiar?.....Good old Cannon pictures, this is their attempt at making a Hammer Horror film, and they even have the cream of the crop popping up every now and again for a 'reunion' of sorts.If you view the film as if it's a comedy, there is much fun to be had.From every seasoned actor making a wonderfully impacting entrance (all that's missing is some scary incidental music when they introduce themselves), to Peter Cushings wonderful Jonathan Ross type speech impediment.The main story is very Woman In Black-esque, and the makers could have gone either way with this. If they decided to just have the writer on his own, with just the the spirits of the house, it could have been a bonafide spine tingler.But it plays more like an episode of Noels House Party. Every fifteen minutes after the second act, someone polls up, explains why they are there, slightly vex the writer and gradually reveal why they happened to turn up on this particular night.But the final act goes for broke and really shakes things up. If you were really listening to the smug American and the pompous Brit proposition each other, you can see the outcome coming a mile off, but the final third is just so much fun, you can forgive the ridiculous plot holes.It's great to see these four acclaimed horror icons in the same film, and there is a wonderful element of camp about the whole proceedings, but straight horror enthusiasts may not take kindly to the film making light of these legendary actors.Would make a very interesting triple bill with April Fool's Day, and The Game..

GusF The 24th and final film starring both Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing, the two of them team up with two other Old Masters of Horror, Vincent Price and John Carradine, for this hugely enjoyable black comedy. Considering that the film was made by Cannon Films, a studio not remembered for the quality of its output, my hopes were not particularly high, to be perfectly honest. However, this is a very clever film which nicely parodies the Gothic horror subgenre while also paying tribute to it. It has some extremely frightening visuals and a great atmosphere. I can't imagine that the film was very expensive, considering that it shot almost entirely on location, but the direction is great and it looks suitably murky. This is already my favourite of the horror comedy films that I have seen.The four main stars all give great performance but the lion's share of the best lines go to Vincent Price, who does not turn up until 38 minutes into the film in spite of being first billed. My favourite line is certainly "Don't interrupt me when I'm soliloquising." Must find a way to find that into a conversation! Price was not known for underplaying his roles but this is the most subtle performance that I've seen from him except for Matthew Hopkins in "Witchfinder General". Sheila Keith is great as the sinister Victoria Grisbane, being every bit the match of her better known co-stars. She was a last minute replacement for the very ill Elsa Lanchester, another horror legend best known for her role in "Bride of Frankenstein" in which Carradine also appeared.Desi Arnaz, Jr. is surprisingly good as the de facto leading man Kenneth Magee, a young, cynical novelist who makes a bet that he can write a novel along the lines of "Wuthering Heights" in 24 hours, but the aforementioned actors are the real stars of the film in spite of their smaller screen time. Magee is a slightly bland character but this works as a nice contrast to the eccentricities of the Grisbanes and the insane situation. However, Julie Peasgood is a very weak leading lady as Mary Barton. She becomes more tolerable as the film progresses but she is still outacted by everyone else in the film, including Arnaz. Louise English, who appears in the smaller role of Diana Caulder, would have been a better choice. The film also has a great extended cameo from the underrated Richard Todd and a briefer one from Norman Rossington.The film features the familiar but, for my money, always fun plot of a relative being locked up for years and then running amok. Given the affectionate parody nature of the film, I'm guessing that it was not a coincidence that much the same storyline was previously used in "The Oblong Box" (starring Lee and Price) and "The Ghoul" (starring Cushing). However, it is pulled off with great flair and a playful style. There are a few twists towards the end of the film and, while I did see two of them coming, they are again executed very well. The third one was particularly clever and I could not help but grin from ear to ear.

ladymidath House of Long Shadows is a joy to watch simply to see the great horror actors together. Base loosely on Seven Keys To Baldpate, it is about a popular novelist Kenneth Magee making a bet with his publisher as to whether he can write a Wuthering Heights type novel in 24 hours. In order to be able to write and to soak up the right kind of atmosphere, he drives through the Welsh countryside to a manor house called Baldpate Manor. There he finds an elderly couple, father and daughter who are supposedly the caretakers. That is when the fun really begins. I have always loved the old style horror movies and I grew up watching the films of John Carradine, Vincent Price, Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing. Seeing them together was an absolute treat and while the story itself becomes a little silly, their presence lifts it into something more. The rest of the cast a wonderful in their roles, but really the film belongs to the four actors that play father and sons. Even if you find the plot of the film a little simplistic, sit back and watch the masters of the silver screen do their stuff. Enjoy.

callanvass An arrogant, American writer bets 20,000 dollars that he can write a classic novel like "Wuthering Heights" at a remote Welsh manor in 24 hours. He is apprised the place has been abandoned for years, but he discovers there are plenty of peculiar people staying there, including a woman named Mary Norton that he becomes very attracted too, but not necessarily trust. The people start popping up dead one by one. Think the movie "Clue" if you decide to watch this movie, only with virtually no suspense. The manor is a perfect place for this movie. It adds creepy atmosphere in spades, but they fail to deliver on it in a big way. For the first hour or so, it's nothing but "Talk, talk, talk, talk" Nothing much happens at all. We get plenty of meandering around the house, people show up here and there. But there is no excitement to be found. It does eventually start to get a little more interesting, but it was too little, too late for me. The choked on a great opportunity with an all star cast, despite most of them being in their twilight years. Desi Arnaz Jr. is completely miscast. His smug character irritated me to no end. This guy doesn't react to ANYTHING. People are getting killed all around you, REACT! He's an emotionless robot for the most part. He can't act worth a lick, and I have no idea why they casted him in this part. He was far too arrogant and talentless. He is the main reason, aside from the dullness that I didn't like this movie. Peter Cushing looks somewhat gaunt, but delivers a fun performance. it was nice to see him play a paranoid character, unlike the subtly strong willed characters I usually see him play. Vincent Price does one of his patented Shakespearean performances, and I loved it as usual. How can you not love Vincent Price? He's epic. Christopher Lee is dependable as always with another menacing character. John Carradin doesn't have much to do, but he does it well. Julie Peasgood has a sexy British accent. She was easy on the eyes, if nothing else. The finale throws in many twists and turns, but it got so convoluted, not to mention I was past the point of caring. It got way too clever for my liking. Final Thoughts: Leave this one in obscurity where it belongs. You can do a lot worse, but you can do much better as well. Resist the temptation from the amazing cast4.6/10