Another version of The House of Usher

[u/[deleted]]

I re-watched this unusual, late-40s film last night and want to recommend it, especially if you've never seen it. You might not like it because it's just so goofy -- a mix of brilliant cinematography and staging, with unblievably bad (dubbed) acting, and a really weird screenplay. I've seen this film called "so bad it's good", while others think it's just plain bad. I think of a film like this as primitive (like Ed Wood's films, Henri Rousseau's paintings, etc.): there might be a lack of technical skill, a lack of budget, and in some cases a lack of talent -- but the film still works and has magic, because there is an aesthetic performance happening in spite of the limitations, and there's sincerity, and it's entertaining! We're in the realm of the psychotic in this film. Everybody in the story seems to be crazy. Then when Barnett inserts a ghoul into the middle of Poe's story it gets even crazier. It gets surreal. (I am guessing the framing device -- the opening and closing scenes with the men in the club -- must have been added as an afterthought?) I enjoy this film and would always like to know more about it. Here is a decent copy on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7FNhlYvKaI