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The Uninvited (1944)

A composer and his sister discover that the reason they are able to purchase a beautiful gothic seacoast mansion very cheaply is the house's unsavory past.

Director:

Writers:

(screen play), (screen play) | 1 more credit »
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Nominated for 1 Oscar. See more awards »
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Cast

Complete credited cast:
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Dorothy Stickney ...
Barbara Everest ...
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Storyline

A brother and sister move into an old seaside house they find abandoned for many years on the English coast. Their original enchantment with the house diminishes as they hear stories of the previous owners and meet their daughter (now a young woman) who now lives as a neighbor with her grandfather. Also heard are unexplained sounds during the night. It becomes obvious that the house is haunted. The reasons for the haunting and how they relate to the daughter whom the brother is falling in love with, prove to be a complex mystery. As they are compelled to solve it, the supernatural activity at the house increases to a frightening level. Written by Russell West <[email protected]>

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Taglines:

From the Most Popular Mystery Romance since "Rebecca"!


Certificate:

Not Rated | See all certifications »
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Details

Country:

Language:

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Release Date:

1 September 1944 (Argentina)  »

Also Known As:

Der unheimliche Gast  »

Filming Locations:

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Company Credits

Production Co:

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Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

(Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

There is a line of dialogue, near the end of the film, when Rick assures Lizzie: "We will do nothing tonight that the priest wouldn't approve of." He is referring to Father Anson, who had a major sub plot in the novel (he wanted to perform an exorcism on the house) but whose character and sub-plot were deleted entirely from the filmed version. This one odd line, lifted almost verbatim from the novel, somehow made it into the final cut. See more »

Goofs

The covers on the headlights (see above) disappear midway through. See more »

Quotes

Roderick Fitzgerald: [narration] They call them the haunted shores, these stretches of Devonshire and Cornwall and Ireland which rear up against the westward ocean. Mists gather here... and sea fog... and eerie stories...
Roderick Fitzgerald: That's not because there are most ghosts here then other places, mind you. It's just that people who live here about are strangely aware of them. You see, day and night, year in, year out, they listen to the pound and stir of the waves. There's life and death in that restless sound. And eternity ...
[...]
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Connections

Referenced in Trapped in a Purple Haze (2000) See more »

Soundtracks

Stella by Starlight
(uncredited)
Music by Victor Young
Played on piano by Ray Milland (dubbed) and heard as a main theme in the score
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Frequently Asked Questions

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User Reviews

one my all time favorites
11 October 2004 | by (United States) – See all my reviews

One of the posters described this as a "comfort" film which says it for me. I absolutely love this movie. It has been one of my favorites for years and years. I am also very lucky that my mother contacted a rare book company and found me the book, which is also wonderful. In the book (which I believe was written right before World War II began), the Ray Milland character is a writer, and there are many more characters. In fact, there are two men interested in the Ruth Hussey character. In its own way, The Uninvited book is equally as wonderful as the film, and the movie definitely keeps the gist of the story. I'm glad Milland is a composer in the movie, because how could we do without "Stella by Starlight," one of the most heavenly songs ever written. The music contributes to the wonderful atmosphere of "The Uninvited."

I read through the postings and was interested to see the Rebecca comparisons. "Rebecca" is one of my all time favorites as well, and I feel like an idiot saying I've never connected the two. But yeah, the Mary Meredith sure was on a pedastal, wasn't she? Otis Skinner's total, over the top performance is a real highlight. "No rough edges...all smooth..." - lots going on there!

It's tragic to see Gail Russell so young and beautiful and realize that alcohol would ravage her beyond recognition that and she would die so young.

She was lovely. The whole cast is marvelous. And I love that ghost! So, a mimosa toast to all of you who love this film as I do.


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