The Old Dark House

An atmospheric horror film, with more than a touch of comedy, well-directed by Whale. In an old haunted house live the bizarre Femm family: the 102 year-old patriarch (Dudgeon), an atheist son (Thesinger), a religious fanatic daughter (Moore), and a crazed pyromanic son (Wills), all watched over by the mute, scarred, and psychotic butler (Karloff's first starring role). Into this strange group wander five unsuspecting, stranded travelers who set all sorts of dastardly plots in motion. Based on the novel "Benighted" by J.B. Priestley. John Dudgeon is actually actress Elspeth Dudgeon who's playing in drag. Remade in 1963 by William Castle.