John Llewellyn MoxeyCity of the Dead/Horror Hotel (1960)

College student Nan Barlow visits the village of Whitewood as research for her paper on witchcraft in New England, particularly the case of Elizabeth Selwyn. Her tutor, Professor Alan Driscoll(Lee), recommends the Raven's Inn, run by a Mrs. Newless.
Rather unwisely, given the amount of low-hanging fog outside(and against the advice of Mrs. Newless), Nan takes an immediate interest in the basement...

You can find more information regarding this film on its IMDb page.

This item is part of the collection: Feature Films

Director: John Llewellyn Moxey
Producer: Ben Arbeid
Production Company: Vulcan (later Amicus)
Audio/Visual: sound, b&w
Language: English
Keywords: Horror; Witchcraft; Christopher Lee; 1960s
Contact Information: archive@boffy.tk

Creative Commons license: Public Domain

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Reviewer: filmydreamer - - January 26, 2008
Subject: Excellent film

I am surprised at how good this film really is. Although it contains a lot of cliches (unfriendly locals, fog and a mute servant) the dialogue was taut and understated, with Christopher Lee at his sinister best. I think it had a 1950s feel to it; not surprising given the early 60s production date.

I didn't feel the plot was overly predictable, although you could see some things coming a mile off. I think the film did a good job of helping me to suspend my disbelief, and that came as a surprise to me. I actually wanted to feel immersed in the plot, and that happened almost immediately.

This is perfect for an evening in with a glass or two of something, and the curtains closed. I really hope - as someone suggested below - that this will be remade: it deserves to be.

Reviewer: acoleman769 - - April 8, 2007
Subject: Love these old horror movies

Lee has been great in everything he has done. There is nothing better than curling up on the couch with snacks and watching them.

Reviewer: sariking - - February 28, 2007
Subject: 6 fingered hand

anybody from the east coast remember Sat Morning "Creature Feature" with the 6 fingered had rising out of the swamp... I'm sure this gem must of scared the bejezus out of this then little girl. Thanks - I watched it again last nite and again - could not handle the nite time shadows.

Reviewer: djd53 - - February 28, 2007
Subject: HH

My father was the executive producer for City of the Dead aka Horror Hotel. Needless to say I love it. I believe Horror Hotel is being remade next year.

Reviewer: hepcat - - January 5, 2007
Subject: lost but NOT forgotten

Ive seen this film years and years ago, a boy in his younger days;care-free. Ive forgotten the title,the star cast- yes, even Christopher Lee(a Legend in my Book) but not the plot. ive looked, for years and eventually Found the Title on archive.org. For that I thank you. Now how do I get some serious Help with a few more Movie queries of the Sci-Fi nature.. any assistants, plz

Reviewer: mojoman007 - - November 1, 2006
Subject: Exellent!

saw the movie the first time when I was 9. And I remember how I felt when I went to bed this evening.Now I`m 26 and it thrill me anyway. They created a very good atmosphere with very low budget. This movie is a must see when you like the classical genre of fog and melodramatic acting.

Reviewer: Elizabethselwyn - - June 15, 2006
Subject: This is an excellent film-

you will want to visit Boston after watching this. It is very atmospheric and unpredictable. There is more suspense than violence, which makes for interesting film.

Christopher Lee and Patricia Jessel are perfect as ominous characters. The scenes with the witch burning at the stake are better than the most recent "The Crucible".

The shadows and cinematography are reminiscent of film-noir; you will enjoy thisfilm- it is something many people remember from the 60's; and the photography for that time clearly deserves high honors.

Reviewer: rsherry - - May 29, 2006
Subject: WOW!

This was my first movie online and I enjoyed it very much! It was hard to pause the movie to run an errand.

This was a good movie for that era and I remember seeing it as a kid (I am 58) and it was scary, even then! I enjoyed it even more this 2nd time around.

rsherry

Reviewer: chris2.0 - - March 10, 2006
Subject: chidhood classic

I remember this movie scaring the bejeezus out of me when I was around 8 years old,it was shown in the middle of the day!
I never knew the name of this particular movie,but this one,the FleshEaters,and some English movie about killer shrews where the really big scary movies of my youth.
IMD has a discussion comparing Horor Hotel and Psycho.There are similarities.Both have independent women who disappear that make up the first half of the film.The second half deals with the search for the women.
This movie still works on a certain level even 32 years later.

Reviewer: boffy_b - - March 5, 2006
Subject: Very good horror

Moxey below, you wouldn't happen to be John Llewellyn Moxey would you?

Definatelty worth a watch for horror fans, not gory but what violence there is is put to good use. Built up something of a cult following back in the day from what I read.
Aside from an ill-judged moment of slapstick I find it hard to fault.

I agree with billbarstad about the title though, it seems neither of them was chosen by anyone who'd actually seen the film. Maybe "Small Village of the Dead" would be more apt.

Also it's from a practically perfect print and the audio/video quality is excellent. Highly recommended.

Reviewer: moxey - - March 5, 2006
Subject: great Lee film

you could not ask for a better horror film.

Reviewer: billbarstad - - November 30, 2005
Subject: The Witches of Whitewood

...would be a better name. Excellent horror movie. Hadn't seen it for decades. Very stylized. Highly recommended.

Reviewer: jimelena - - November 30, 2005
Subject: Not so hot

Christopher Lee is always good, even if the film he is in is not so hot.
In this film the other actors are really not film actors. They might be good at the local play house.
Some people really like this type of movie and I can see it having a cult following. But not me.