the audience applauded

Best movie ever!

This is one of the few movies I've ever seen where the whole audience broke into spontaneous, loud applause a third of the way in.

It is neither dumb nor smart enough to be fun, and spends way too much time with its boring human characters.

You get to find out. You can probably guess what the secret of the Red House is but it doesn't matter as the film gently carries you through the story with some spookiness, tension and drama thrown in and used to good effect. It's a simple setting and a simple story about the effect of a house on nutcase Edward G (Pete) and the curse of the woods.After student Lon McCallister (Nath) takes his first walk through the woods at night-time, the scary woods become the most important cast member. No way would I be returning. We get a mystery/thriller as teenagers Lon and Allene Roberts (Meg) explore the woods in search of the Red House. There are many secrets and dangers that lurk in this forest setting.Julie London turns up in a role as sexually aware student Tibby before her singing career took off in real life. All the cast do fine although sometimes the dialogue delivery from Lon is slightly off – he has moments where he is a little too rude to Edward G and out of his depth when challenging farmhand Rory Calhoun. He's got guts but I don't think so!

THE RED HOUSE is an odd little mix of Southern Gothic and western adventure, featuring a young cast tangling with a kooky old-timer. The latter role is played by familiar gangster movie star Edward G. Robinson in a lip-licking performance that makes the whole movie; to say that he's hiding some pretty dark secrets is an understatement, and the whole story hinges on his highly entertaining performance.The rest of the film isn't quite in Robinson's lead, although it's watchable enough. The fresh and likable Lon McCallister falls for the pretty Allene Roberts, who is Robinson's likable daughter. An air of mystery hangs over Robinson's estate, in particular the titular dwelling which nobody is allowed to go near. The mystery, as it transpires, is quite straightforward, although there are shades of REBECCA and GASLIGHT in the build-up. Watch out for future western star Rory Calhoun as a thuggish type who prowls the woods with his rifle.

Puts the "A" in Atmospheric. Like Heart of Darkness, the terrain is as much the main character as the humans in it. The woods call out like a ghost with the red house the haunted centerpiece. The film is blessedly uncluttered. It sticks to its idea and never varies. I've been smitten by the young Allene Roberts ever since I saw the film for the first time. She's the most beautiful young actress I've ever seen. Her eyes radiate vulnerability and innocence. Edward G Robinson gives a haunting and haunted performance. A must see IMO for film noir fans that want to journey off the beaten path into a wonderful world of rustic creepiness.And I can't get over how much a young Rory Calhoun looks like Christopher Reeve.

Made in 1946 and released a year later, THE RED HOUSE is a United Artists release starring Edward G. Robinson as a man concealing an ugly secret with his spinster sister. The sister is played by Judith Anderson. Also in the cast are future stars Rory Calhoun and Julie London.The story, based on George Chamberlain's novel, takes many dramatic twists and turns. This is no small feat considering we already know early into the film that Robinson is covering up a crime, one he likely committed years ago. But in some ways, he is backgrounded until the last act; instead, the specter of danger casts its long shadow over two high school couples who are foregrounded-- one played by wholesome Lon McCallister and attractive Allene Roberts, and the other couple being Calhoun and London. The innocence of these young lovers is at risk due to the evil forces that surround them.It should be noted that at an overall running time of 100 minutes, the narrative is gradual and somewhat leisurely until the end. Yet this gives director Delmer Daves plenty of time to emphasize the bucolic countryside and its inhabitants, as well as establish the more sinister atmospheric touches that dot the rural landscape and threaten to overtake it. I won't spoil the final sequence for those who haven't seen it, but when Anderson's life is in jeopardy because she's gone into the woods where the titular dwelling and its secret exist, Robinson's character snaps. He truly goes berserk, setting up a spectacular death scene for the actor to play.Is this Edward G. Robinson's best movie performance? Possibly. For what it's worth, THE RED HOUSE is not only a showcase for him, but for all the performers who make the most of their roles. As for the film itself, it's a glimpse into a simpler post-war time. And it proves that even those simpler times had complicated people dealing with a complicated situation.