utgard14 Gothic melodrama from Universal, adapted from the Nathaniel Hawthorne novel (with significant changes) about the cursed Pyncheon family and one brother framing another for murder. Often included in Universal horror discussions, though it's not a horror film. It does have some nice atmosphere in keeping with that genre, though, particularly given that it shares the same look and feel of the Universal horror films being made around that time.Margaret Lindsay, an often underrated actress who never really hit it big, isn't entirely convincing in the early scenes as the innocent young Hepzibah. She really brings it when the plot moves forward and she becomes older and more jaded. Vincent Price does well in one of his earliest big roles. George Sanders reportedly didn't care for his role or the film but you would never know it by his great turn. Dick Foran holds his own against far more talented co-stars.None of the changes to the novel seem to hurt it, in my opinion. It's a very enjoyable film. Even though it's not a horror movie, I do think it will appeal to people who like those Universal classics. Some nice atmosphere, a good story, and a great cast.

Alex da Silva George Sanders (Jaffrey) is called to the family home – the House of Seven Gables – where his father Gilbert Emery tells him that he has to sell the house. Brother Vincent Price (Clifford) is keen on the idea but Sanders is not. Sanders has read that there is a fortune buried somewhere within the walls but Price is having none of it. There is also a curse that has been placed on the family. Does this curse come true? Which brother gets the upper hand? The film has an interesting title and an interesting beginning with a set-up that raises hopes for a good film. Unfortunately, everything just peters out and there is not much happening in this effort. I was expecting a spooky offering involving a house with some secrets unravelling themselves. It's nothing like that. Basically nothing happens. Vincent Price provides some hilarious over-the-top bad acting at the end of a court case when he breaks into hysterical laughter, deserved of a 60's camp horror film. And Sanders' final scene is equally appalling. Yep – the whole affair is a let-down.

Martha Wilcox Despite a good cast, this is not a good film. The holes in George Sanders' acting begins to show up. You can see it in other films when he's trying hard to act, but he's not really an actor, he just needs a good script and a good director to get the best out of him. I think he is really lucky to have the career he had. The end scene in this film highlights his limited acting ability.Vincent Price on the other hand is the superior actor and wins out in the end. His career lasts longer, and delivers a more varied performance in this film compared with Sanders. But in spite of his performance this is not a good film for Sanders or Price fans. They did a better job together in 'Green Hell'.

MartinHafer This movie was made with a modest budget and was never intended as an "A-movie", though it had a bit higher production values and was a bit too long to be a true "B-movie" (i.e., the second and much cheaper film in a double-feature). With these modest expectations as well as some great but underrated actors, this film really delivers. You see, this film starred second-tier actors such as Vincent Price was a practically unknown and inexperienced actor as well as George Sanders who had been a supporting actor or B-movie leading man. Margaret Lindsay was probably the biggest name star in the film, though her career had seen better days in the 1930s. As a result of this and a very modest budget, none of the Universal Studios execs at the time suspected this would be one of their best films of the year. In fact, dollar-for-dollar, this film is one of the best films I have seen. Sure, it isn't GONE WITH THE WIND or THE BEST YEARS OF OUR LIVES, but these films had very large budgets and the best writers/directors/producers and of course they had to be great films.Sanders and Price play brothers--Sanders is the money-grubbing amoral one and Price is the basically decent man who is framed by Sanders for murder. The plot is pretty complex and I don't want to spoil the suspense by explaining it further, but trust me the plot is exceptional--especially when it comes to irony. The ending is just terrific and drips with poetic justice.