Rating: 
Summary: Don't let the sound scare you away.
Review: I delayed ordering this movie for a year because of all the comments about the bad soundtrack. Don't let those concerns deprive you of seeing this classic. I can't speak for the VHS versions, but the sound on the DVD version was not nearly as bad as I was led to expect. Hi-fi it is definitely not. Yes, it's extremely tinny-sounding -- at times sounding like an old 78 rpm disc. And briefly, once or twice, there was rattle like a bad speaker cone at a drive-in theater. The tinniness was very noticeable for the first five minutes. But after that, you quickly adjust to it and soon forget about the sound quality. What had frightened me away from buying it was not the tinniness but rather the fear that the sound would be mushy or fuzzy -- something you'd never adjust to. But there was none of that. The sound was crisp enough that I was able to follow every word of dialog with no trouble at all. Yes, a fully restored sound track would make it even better. But until then, relax and enjoy!
Rating: 
Summary: A Neglected Masterpiece!
Review: I first saw this film on the late show back in the 50's when I was a mere child. It scared the pants off me then, and pretty much does the same now. This is what I call staying power. Too bad more people aren't aware of this film. The sad thing about the presentation of this film (I have both the VHS & DVD) is that the sound recording needs definite restorative work. This would really be disturbing if the film itself wasn't so compelling. The production values as well as the production team are all A-List, from the fine direction of Delmer Daves to the outstanding mood-setting score of Max Steiner to the casting of pro stars like Edward G. Robinson & Judith Anderson sharing the screen with teen magazine heart-throbs Rory Calhoun and Julie London. Lon McCallister is fine in what is really the lead role, and a very fine performance by young Allene Roberts (whatever happened to her!). The DVD is pretty much of the bargain-bin variety, though there are a couple of little extras on it...most notably explaining that Robinson's career came to a standstill after this film because of the Hollywood blacklist. The suspense factor is among the highest I can recall (EVER!); the script is literate and clever; characters are well-defined; and the creepy mood is consistant. See this film and tell all your friends; you will NOT be disappointed.
Rating: 
Summary: Great schlock...not great film
Review: I must disagree with the other reviewers. This is NOT a great film. It is a great schlocky B movie. Wonderfully bizarre-- yes. Great film making, great acting, scary-- no. Essentially you have a quickly made, low budget thriller here that benefits from Robinson and a teenage Julie London with a massive dose of heavy-handed freudian symbolism. The hero tells his girlfriend that he'll have to "bust open" the "red house" to get to the bottom of the mystery. Hmmmm. Robinson's character seems to have a sexual interest in his adopted daughter. All that and a big bad wolf character that seems to hang out in the woods all day (and night) looking for stray girls. Lots of fun for those interested in this type of thing. I can imagine the college crowd eating it up over beers.
Rating:
Summary: The FAN of the red house
Review: I thought this was a classic and its just sure is wonderful i had seen it as a child and ive met my great aunt who played in it, its just wonderful to our family views, I loved this movie forever, i am waiting for my boyfriend to watch it with me I can't wait, until he tells me what he sees in it. I like it a lot!! love it!!
Rating: 
Summary: THE RED HOUSE IS REALLY NOIR-FILM NOIR
Review: I was mesmerized by the film when I recently watched it for the first time. I only knew of Lon McAllister as the syrupy-sweet innocent G.I. in the film Stage Door Canteen, the kid named "California" who had never been kissed. In The Red House, he is still a nice guy, but tougher and more intrepid. He is determined to uncover the secret of the Ox Head woods, even though in the end several people die. The film achieves moments of real eerieness for what might otherwise be dismissed as a B-film. I like the 1940's atmosphere, where people maintained a family altar and doctor's made house calls. The scene where Lon McAllister enters the windy woods at night gave me the willies. I hope it will grip you too.
Rating:
Summary: Incredible story of lone wolf who'se worst enemy is himself.
Review: I've watched both movies many many times. Every time I watch them I get something more out of them. Simply haunting!
Rating:
Summary: Worth seeing for all kinds of reasons.
Review: Ooh, fun! Like film noir? Don't miss this, if only because of Edward G., and just so you can say you saw it. If Disney couyld make a good film noir back in the 40's, this might have been it. And that's a compliment. Hitchcock wouldn't have done this:L it's too moody and down-home. It's different. Ma and Pa Kettle quit foolin' around, lose a few years, and go out to find a few corpses. 1. See if you can guess my favorite shot ( with Aileen Roberts, alone) 2. See Judith Anderson in something besides REBECCA: "Every living soul has their Oxhead Woods..." 3. See Edward G. in a lesser known film, and still doing an excellent job ("...it can still be you and me, Jeannie...") 4. See Julie London. Sassy and delinquent here: "A fine swimming date we had, I don't think!" "I'm not gonna give you any kisses...I want you to miss 'em..." Gorgeous and talented, you could also sense the Hollywood ambition exuding from her during this film...no? 5. Rory Calhoun. A good job. Not given TOO much to do here except drink, hunt, beat up Lon McAllister and grab Julie London, he does it well: "Because it'll be a prettier bond if you buy it for me..." If this is a piece of American candy, it's still a good piece--and more complex than you'd expect. (Probably moreso than I am capable of revealing here.) Don't just leave it for the kids. In fact, it may scare the hell out of them. Ultimately, I believe there are aspects of this film that are of more than average, 'happy-day' depth. Buy it. A true noir fan, you'll watch it more than once.
Rating:
Summary: A Gem Worth Getting, Although I Wish It Looked Better
Review: Pete Morgan (Edward G. Robinson) owns a farm by the edge of the woods. His sister, Ellen Morgan (Judith Anderson), keeps house for him. Years ago they adopted a baby when the parents ran off. Now Meg Morgan (Allene Roberts) is a teenager in high school, and she persuades Pete to hire a friend, Nath (Lon McCallister), to help with the chores since Pete is having a hard time keeping up with things. He's getting older and has a wooden leg. Pete reluctantly agrees, but warns Nath that under no circumstances is he to go through the woods to get to the farm. Pete has even hired a hand with a rifle to scare people off. Naturally, Nath goes through the woods and, with Meg, determines to find out the mystery behind a ruined, overgrown red house they find there.
This is a little gem of a movie. It starts in sunlight, moves into tangled paths and deep shadows and eventually works it way back out. The mystery is tragic and believeable, and the movie moves toward the conclusion with a real feeling of growing unease. It features some tense and scary moments in the woods, and the red house itself is eery and forbidding.
Robinson gives, I think, another of his first class performances. Pete is a man with a terrible secret, which his sister shares. He loves Meg and wants to protect her, but he also is increasingly unpredictable and unstable. Judith Anderson reins in her tendency to be stagy, and in this role gives a performance of strength and compassion. Allene Roberts never developed much of a career but she reminds me a little of Teresa Wright. Lon McCallister was a boyish and very boy-next-door type. Together they're believeable as two teens who begin to have serious feelings for each other. And its interesting to see Rory Calhoun as the sleazy young guy with the rifle and Julie London as McCallister's girlfriend who moves briskly over to Calhoun.
One of the strengths of the movie is Miklos Rozsa's score. He emphasizes the moods efficiently and with great effect. The theme he came up with for Meg Morgan is one of the most innocently romantic I've ever heard.
The Red House is a movie that might be described as a mystery drama with a little psycho horror thrown in (with the horror being what people do and how they pay for it). It's a good movie that, unfortunately, fell into public domain. The DVD is watchable and the movie will probably never get a restoration. Too bad, but it's still worth having.
Rating:
Summary: STRANGE, MOODY THRILLER
Review: Robinson plays a crippled farmer who, after his daughter brings home a suitor, attempts to keep everyone from a mysterious red house located on his property. Madness and murder prevail. Strange film noir about tangled relationships and unsuccessful attempts to bury the horrid past. Even the cast is unusual: Rory Calhoun, Judith Anderson, Ona Munson, Julie London and Lon McCallister!
Rating:
Summary: Atmospheric and Chilling.
Review: The Hysterisis on the sound track on the videos transfers I have seen do not subvert the impact of this Sol Lessor Thriller. E.G. Robinson and his sister Judith Anderson hold a terrifying secret that involves and empty house in the eerie woods. Lon McAllister enters the scene and begins turning everything inside out. He seems to be courtiing Aileen Roberts...and in doing so..things begin happen. This is a real thiller...made even more chilling by the great Judith Anderson and a fine screenplay from the Chamberlain story. Look for a very young Rory Calhoun and Julie London. The Finale will not be soon forgotten..and there will be questions after the closing credits....for sure...
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