The Fall of the House of Usher (1950)

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Directed by Ivan Barnett, this 1950 British adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe’s classic tale is a moody, low-budget Gothic horror film that predates the more famous Vincent Price version by nearly a decade. Produced by GIB Films, it was shot in Hastings, England, and stands as an early example of British independent horror cinema.

Plot Summary
The film opens with a framing device: a gentleman in a London club reads Poe’s story aloud to his companions. The narrative then shifts to the eerie Usher estate, where Jonathan (Irving Steen) visits his old friend Roderick Usher (Kaye Tendeter) and Roderick’s sister Madeline (Gwen Watford). Both siblings suffer from mysterious ailments tied to a family curse. As the house seems to decay around them, madness and death loom, culminating in a chilling finale as the Usher line—and their ancestral home—collapses.

Cast Highlights

  • Gwen Watford as Lady Madeline Usher (her film debut)
  • Kaye Tendeter as Lord Roderick Usher
  • Irving Steen as Jonathan
  • Vernon Charles as Dr. Cordwell
  • Connie Goodwin, Gavin Lee, and Keith Lorraine in supporting roles

Behind-the-Scenes Trivia

  • The film was completed in 1948 but not released until 1950, receiving an “H” certificate from the British Board of Film Censors—rare for horror at the time
  • A much abridged version (cut from 70 minutes to 39) was released in 1956 with an “X” certificate, reflecting changing censorship standards
  • Gwen Watford went on to have a long career in British film and television, while most of the cast never appeared in another movie
  • Much of the dialogue was reportedly added in post-production, contributing to its eerie, dreamlike tone
  • Despite its limited budget, the film was surprisingly successful as a second feature and even topped the bill in some cinemas

Legacy
Though overshadowed by later adaptations, this version of The Fall of the House of Usher is a hidden gem for fans of early Gothic horror. Its atmospheric visuals, haunting performances, and historical significance make it a fascinating piece of Poe cinema history and a precursor to the Hammer Horror boom that followed.

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