The Red House Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Crippled farmer hires a teen to help on the farm, but the farmer doesn’t want him to go into the spooky woods, so naturally, everyone goes into the spooky woods to unravel a sordid tale of love, lies, and accidental murder.

🍿 The Red House: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Mysterious Family

Pete and Ellen Morgan live a secluded life on their farm, raising their adopted daughter, Meg. Their quiet existence is disrupted when Meg convinces them to hire Nath, a local boy, to help with the farm work. Pete becomes agitated whenever anyone mentions the woods surrounding their property, warning of dangers and a ‘red house.’

The Forbidden Woods

Nath’s curiosity is piqued by Pete’s warnings, and he and Meg begin to explore the forbidden woods. They encounter Teller, a menacing figure hired by Pete to keep people away. As they delve deeper, they sense the woods hold a dark secret connected to Pete’s past and the mysterious ‘red house.’ Tension builds as Pete’s behavior becomes increasingly erratic.

Unraveling the Past

Meg and Nath continue their investigation, despite the dangers and Pete’s growing instability. They uncover clues hinting at a past tragedy and a hidden connection between Pete, the red house, and Meg’s true parentage. The secrets threaten to consume Pete, leading to a series of desperate acts to protect his dark past.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Pete Morgan (Edward G. Robinson): A crippled farmer haunted by a dark secret connected to the red house, driving him to paranoia and violence.
• Ellen Morgan (Judith Anderson): Pete’s devoted sister who sacrifices her own happiness to care for him and their adopted daughter, carrying the burden of their shared secret.
• Meg Morgan (Allene Roberts): The adopted teenage daughter who becomes increasingly curious about the mysterious red house and her true origins.
• Nath Storm (Lon McCallister): A young farmhand who helps Meg uncover the secrets surrounding the red house, falling in love with her along the way.
• Teller (Rory Calhoun): A hired hand tasked with keeping people away from the red house, leading to tragic consequences.
• Tibby Rinton (Julie London): Nath’s initially possessive girlfriend who finds herself drawn to the dangerous Teller, representing a path away from their rural life.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Pete: “Have you ever run from a scream? You can’t!” – Pete warns Nath about taking a shortcut through the woods, foreshadowing the terrors hidden there.
• Pete: “There’s a curse on those woods.” – Pete’s declaration establishes the ominous nature of the surrounding area, hinting at the dark secrets it holds.
• Pete: “I fought fate 15 years ago, and I lost.” – Pete’s anguished confession reveals the weight of his past actions and the futility of trying to escape them.

💰Box Office

• Budget: N/A
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: N/A

💥 The Red House Reviews

Personal Review

I watched “The Red House” late one night, and it really got under my skin. The creepy music combined with the suspense of what was hiding in the woods kept me on the edge of my seat. Edward G. Robinson was incredible as the troubled Pete. I loved how the film slowly revealed the secrets, and the ending was both shocking and satisfying. I’ll definitely be thinking about those woods for a while!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of classic film noir”
  • “Viewers interested in psychological thrillers”
  • “Edward G. Robinson fans”
  • “Those who appreciate suspenseful mysteries”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence”
  • “Themes of murder and obsession”
  • “Some potentially disturbing psychological elements”

Professional Reviews

• Rotten Tomatoes: “”The Red House” is a solid thriller with Edward G. Robinson’s performance and effective use of music and shadows making it a must-see for noir fans. The atmosphere is thick with suspense.
• AllMovie: “Director Delmer Daves creates a wonderfully suspenseful atmosphere, aided by Miklos Rozsa’s haunting score and Edward G. Robinson’s standout performance. It rises above typical B-movie fare.
• Film Noir Foundation: “The Red House masterfully blends psychological drama and film noir elements. Robinson’s portrayal of a man haunted by his past is captivating, and the eerie setting amplifies the tension.

Audience Reactions

Creepy atmosphere, especially the music and the mysterious red house.: Viewers consistently praise the film’s suspenseful atmosphere and Edward G. Robinson’s compelling performance.

The chilling score heightens the tension throughout the movie.: Many viewers note that the musical score created by Miklos Rozsa adds significantly to the movie’s eerie and unsettling tone.

Overall Consensus: “The Red House” is a well-regarded noir thriller known for its suspenseful atmosphere, strong performances, and chilling score.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Miklos Rózsa’s score, particularly the use of the theremin, contributed significantly to the film’s eerie and unsettling atmosphere.”
• “The film’s exploration of psychological themes and repressed desires was somewhat daring for its time, pushing the boundaries of what was typically addressed in mainstream cinema.”
• “Although the film is now considered a cult classic, it was not a major box office success upon its initial release.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Red House?

As a public domain film, “The Red House” is often available to stream for free on platforms like YouTube and the Internet Archive. However, quality can vary. For potentially higher-quality streaming or purchase options, check platforms like Prime Video or Apple TV. You might also find DVD or Blu-ray versions available for purchase online.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Red House, you might like these similar films:

• Rebecca (1940): Both films feature a young woman uncovering dark secrets in a secluded, imposing setting, with a controlling older figure looming in the background.
• Night of the Hunter (1955): Features a menacing figure with hidden motives preying on vulnerable young people in a rural setting.
• Cape Fear (1962): Features a dangerous, unhinged individual terrorizing a family, with underlying themes of repressed sexuality and violence.
• Prisoners (2013): Explores the lengths people will go to protect their family, with a dark mystery at its core.

🛒 The Red House Related Products

• Edward G. Robinson: The Complete Film Noir Collection: A curated collection of Edward G. Robinson’s best film noir movies, including high-quality digital versions.
• Film Noir: The Dark Side of Hollywood: A definitive book on film noir history and aesthetics, featuring rare stills and in-depth analysis.
• Creepy Abandoned Red House Model Kit: A model kit to build your very own creepy abandoned red house. Perfect for displaying your dark side.
• The Red House (1947) Movie Poster: A high-quality reproduction of the original movie poster, printed on archival paper.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Red House features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Main Title” – performed by Miklós Rózsa
• “The Red House Theme” – performed by Miklós Rózsa
• “Oxhead Woods” – performed by Miklós Rózsa

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Vertigo, Hitchcock & the Spiral — Vertigo Film Analysis and the Perfect Symbol for Obsession

Ever wonder about the hidden meanings in Hitchcock’s movies? This video breaks down the spiral motif in *Vertigo*, and honestly, it’s amazing how a simple shape can represent so much about obsession and the story itself. You gotta see this to understand the film’s genius!

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