Lawyer Joe Schiller (Richard Crane) hires some old friends, architect couple Scott and Nancy Campbell (Ron Foster and Mary Anders), for the survey of an impressive manor. There are some strange stories going around about the house: One of its occupants lost her mind and shot a man and is now held in an asylum; the last tenant, a Captain Arbuckle, carny director (a relation of Colonel Parker, perhaps?), has disappeared.
As soon as Scott and Nancy arrive, strange things start to happen. It is as if they weren't alone in the house. While they are asleep, a not quite right looking shadow sneaks into their room and steals their keys, only to sneak most of the keys back the next morning. Somebody doesn't want the pair to enter certain rooms, it seems.
What is the secret of the old building? Will Scooby Doo come to their rescue?
House of the Damned is a pleasant enough Sunday matinee movie and feels like a less intelligent, more harmless and gimmickless William Castle film. The acting is serviceable, the script mostly fine - at least if you are willing to overlook the total obviousness of the mystery's solution and the groan-inducing stupidity of the ending.
Director Maury Dexter even manages some nicely framed shots and a few atmospheric moments.
If you will like the film depends on your tolerance for harmless early Sixties horror. I don't ask for much and am mostly happy with a harmless little film like this one.
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