Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3848 in VHS
• Released on: 1998-06-30
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Formats: Black & White, Closed-captioned, Color, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of tapes: 1
• Running time: 89 minutes

Customer Reviews

Near classic
Vincent Price did not always do horror movies, but he was always a good actor and this film proves it. Price actually does not play the heavy in this film, that role falls to George Sanders who excels in a role where he deals out treachery. Price, Sanders and Margeret Lindsay all give outstanding performances. This may not be Vincent Price's best film, but it certainly ranks up there as one of his best performances. This is not a horror film, but it is a dark film that shows the impact greed can cause. The ending seems a little rushed, but it is still effective. There are no special effects and just simple sets, but the story and fantastic acting make this a great film for a wide range of viewers.

A house can be a blessing or a curse
The 1940 theatrical version of THE HOUSE OF THE SEVEN GABLES bears little resemblance to Nathaniel Hawthorne's novel.

VHS art work depicts Vincent Price in a starring role. Although his was a main character, the pivotal role in this melodrama clearly belongs to Margaret Lindsay as Hepzibah Pyncheon. She's in the lion's share of scenes and is clearly most affected by events that are often beyond her control.

SYNOPSIS--
The seven-gabled house has been cursed since the 1600s, when Geoffrey Pyncheon caused the execution for witchcraft of an innocent man. Matthew Maule's property is usurped by Pyncheon; thus the origin of the famous curse.

In 1812, bad investments of Jaffrey Pyncheon (Sanders) bankrupt the family, so older brother Clifford and father Gerald (Emery) ally against him to sell the home. The three men quarrel. Later, the father changes his mind about selling. He and a disappointed Clifford shout at each other until the old man dies from a sudden seizure. Jaffrey, who saw what happened testifies in court that Clifford murdered their father. His brother is imprisoned for life.

With Clifford eliminated, Jaffrey believes the house is now his. Plans to search for treasure rumored hidden on the Pyncheon estate are thwarted at the will reading, when sole ownership is given to Cousin Hepzibah, who is also Clifford's fiancée. She immediately banishes Jaffrey then resolutely waits, praying over the many years for her love's release from prison.

Some two decades later, fate brings Clifford in contact with Matthew Maule (Foran), descendant of the first man to be wronged by a Pyncheon. They become fast friends and together plot revenge against Jaffrey.


As of 6/09, this picture was not available on DVD.

Related item:
Hawthorne published THE SCARLET LETTER in 1850, one year before "Seven Gables." This 1934 version features silent era stars Colleen Moore and Henry B. Walthall. (VHS) (DVD)


Parenthetical number preceding title is a 1 to 10 viewer poll rating found at a film resource website.

(7.5) The House of the Seven Gables (1940) - George Sanders/Margaret Lindsay/Vincent Price/Dick Foran/Nan Grey/Cecil Kellaway/Alan Napier/Gerald Emery/Charles Trowbridge