The extraordinarily popular novel THE WOMAN IN WHITE, written in the mid-to-late 19th century by Wilkie Collins, is the basis of this loose adaptation that serves as an opportunity for British horror actor Tod Slaughter to give another barnstorming performance as a moustache-twirling villain. Now, I've read TWIW and studied the novel at university, so I'm pretty familiar with the complex plot. CRIMES AT THE DARK HOUSE tears that plot to shreds. Sure, some of the names are the same, and events do loosely resemble those found in the Collins novel, but don't go in expecting the script to slavishly follow the original storyline. For example, the fire in the church is moved to the film's end, while another major sub-plot is a virtual retread of MURDER IN THE RED BARN!
This is melodrama at its best and the most entertaining I've seen of Slaughter's films – in fact, it rivals SWEENEY TODD as his best work! Slaughter is at his hammy best and not a scene goes by when he isn't cackling with mad glee or giving his sinister trademark throaty chuckle. The film begins with him hammering a stake into a poor soul's head (eat your heart out Peter Cushing!) and throughout he commits acts of villainy time and time again. When it comes to the ladies Slaughter is a particular cad here. The script also provides him with great lines, the best of which is undoubtedly "I'll feed your entrails to the pigs!".
The supporting cast is pretty decent, especially Hat Petrie playing Dr. Fosco. This slimy professional is such a creep that he almost rivals Slaughter and the ending provides him with a fitting send-off. You can tell that British films had become more Hollywood-ised by his period, as there are moments of comedy (intentional for a change) and even a reel of serial-style punch-ups. Camera-work and music are great and director George King handles the proceedings with aplomb. All in all a great B-movie, one of Slaughter's very best!
This is melodrama at its best and the most entertaining I've seen of Slaughter's films – in fact, it rivals SWEENEY TODD as his best work! Slaughter is at his hammy best and not a scene goes by when he isn't cackling with mad glee or giving his sinister trademark throaty chuckle. The film begins with him hammering a stake into a poor soul's head (eat your heart out Peter Cushing!) and throughout he commits acts of villainy time and time again. When it comes to the ladies Slaughter is a particular cad here. The script also provides him with great lines, the best of which is undoubtedly "I'll feed your entrails to the pigs!".
The supporting cast is pretty decent, especially Hat Petrie playing Dr. Fosco. This slimy professional is such a creep that he almost rivals Slaughter and the ending provides him with a fitting send-off. You can tell that British films had become more Hollywood-ised by his period, as there are moments of comedy (intentional for a change) and even a reel of serial-style punch-ups. Camera-work and music are great and director George King handles the proceedings with aplomb. All in all a great B-movie, one of Slaughter's very best!