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Mystery of the Wax Museum (1933), House of Wax (1953/2005)A few weeks ago I got a double DVD set of the original and recent House of Wax movies. What I didn't realise at the time was that they also contained a third movie (included almost as an easter egg, it's only barely mentioned on the DVD case). Tonight, I've watched all three. Here goes.
The Mystery of the Wax Museum
Although not a Universal picture, it's good enough to stand up to their early flirtations with horror. Ivan Igor is a wax sculptor, working in a failing wax museum, who loves his work. The owner, however, burns the gallery down for the insurance. Twelve years later, Igor opens another museum in London - though with a macabre twist. His wax sculptures are in fact people covered in wax. It's not long before people begin to notice a few odd things here and there, though Fay Wray (in dashing brunette mode) is completely unaware that she's in danger from Igor.
It's a good enough movie for its time (particularly in the make-up used for the disfigurement of Igor), though the print I have appears to have been colourised, which is highly-off putting. Indeed, it was easier to take seriously one I turned the colour down on my TV so that it was black and white. It is, however, good to know where Carry On screaming got their ideas.
House of Wax (1953)
This film is a remake of the previous one. The story is slightly different, but in many respects the films have remarkable similarities. In my opinion the story is more substantial, and better, and the film overall has one extra element that makes it shine - Vincent Price. Price is excellent at seeming both evil and charming at the same time, a trait perfect for his character as Jarrod (Igor in the previous film). It is a good tribute to the original film, and as well as the numerous similarities, has a nod to it in the character of Igor - played by Charles Bronson.
In my opinion, a very good film, the best of these three.
House of Wax (2005)
As they were both made by Warner Brothers, I thought that this film may be a remake of the remake. Not so. In fact, I'd say that it's an insult to the 1953 film that this one bears the same title.
The idea of coating people with wax is simply the basis for another run-of-the-mill American teen horror, much in the style of Jeepers Creepers and Road Kill. Bunch of teenagers, broken down car, "I'll go and investigate, be back in a minute", yada yada yada. In this one, two of a gang of six teenagers nip to a small town for a new fanbelt, and find that there's a loony making people out of wax, who also happens to live in a large house made entirely of wax. Mayhem ensues, and before you know it, Elisha Cuthbert is trying to escape by running up the stairs. In a house made of wax that's slowly melting due to a fire underneath it, no less. To be honest, Elisha Cuthbert is the only decent reason to watch this film.
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