Review of House of Wax

Vincent Price, waxwork figures, disfigured villain and 3D. What a delicious mixture! "House of Wax" was a remake of the 1933 film "Mystery of the Wax Museum" that's starred Lionel Atwill and Fay Wray. On par with the original, if maybe a little more sensationally fun in its gimmicky execution. Some moments are virtually scene by scene, but also there are twists to certain plot devices and character changes of its predecessor… surprisingly the risky and darker instances are gone. In a way I found the story to lack the bite, as it routinely unfolded despite keeping the imaginative concept. Although we got a lot more shocks and atmospherics from its back lot sets with our disfigured villain getting up to a lot more trouble - where Vincent Price given free reign would be relishing every moment lurking around under the hideous make-up. It's a standout performance by an animated Price, knowing where to be wicked and smoothly delivering the dialogues. You could probably see it as the starting point for his horror career. Carolyn Jones was likable enough, but didn't really leave a mark. Also there's an early role for a young, imposing Charles Bronson as a death mute working under wax sculptor Pro. Henry Jarred. Andre De Toth's breezy direction displays some suspenseful acts, well-etched art direction details and crisp cinematography with it backed up a by swirlingly robust orchestra music score. An entertainingly theatrical Gothic chiller that gives you the sense that those eyes really do seem to follow you around.