The House in Nightmare Park was one of my early introductions to horror, I first saw it on TV before the days of home video when I was a young kid and can remember being more frightened that amused. Several viewings and many more years later I now see it for the fine horror comedy that it is. Most of the plot takes place at a Victorian Gothic mansion, Oakley Court, which just happened to be near Bray Studios, the home of Hammer. And very Hammerish this is. Comic genius Frankie Howerd plays struggling actor Foster Twelvetrees, hired to entertain the rich owners of the house, or so he thinks! I am not a fan of everything Howerd has done but he is on fine form here, very funny but not over the top. Faced with a snake between his legs he says "I hope it's a crusher, not a biter". He has many verbal run-ins with a character played by Hugh Burden, "Who is this oaf?" "Oaf? This oaf is Foster Twelvetrees and which oaf are you?" And so on, and so on. The great Ray Milland plays the head of the house, I always enjoy watching him. Some of the humour may now be considered politically incorrect these days by some and double entendres abound but it's a product of its time and I see nothing wrong in that. And to the horror, we have the wonderful house itself, swirling mists, a cleaver wielding mad woman and a basement full of snakes, which all provide some genuine chills. A fine example of horror and comedy, not always an easy combination to get right but they certainly did with this one.
Review of The House in Nightmare Park
