The unsightly spectre of a dead cow floating along the river is not quite the view you would choose to have from your home, especially when, with frequently turning tides, the decaying beast seems intent on making more comebacks than Frank Sinatra.
In the absence of wife Jane Wyatt, author with the roving eye, Louis Hayward makes unwelcome advances towards recently appointed and very beautiful maid Emily (Dorothy Patrick). Phased by her hysterical response and distracted by the probability of being overheard, upon finally releasing his grip from around her neck, he discovers...that she is dead.
Engaging the reluctant assistance of partially disabled brother (Lee Bowman), Emily's body is bundled into a wood sack and under cover of night, dumped into the river. Despite being firmly anchored down, one suspects that we have not seen the last of Emily. Indeed, it's not the red red robin that's likely to come bob bob bobbing along the water any time soon and a further case of Floating Carcass Syndrome seems imminent. When Hayward shows discomfort at the sight of a jumping silver fish caught fleetingly in the moonlight, one senses the presence of a bad omen.
A low budget entry from Republic Pictures, House by the River is a generally enthralling period (c1900) gothic noir, which bears a certain comparison with Gaslight. Only during the talky courtroom scene does interest wane slightly. With glasses consisting of one plain and one tinted lens, is the judge attempting to make a fashion statement? If so, any fragment of street cred is extinguished by his comb over hair do!
Featuring a cast comprising largely of tier two Hollywood performers, including Bowman, who incurs the wrath of housekeeper, Jody Gilbert by refusing to consume a substantial meal with his drink.
An often overlooked minor gem in Fritz Lang's output, with some atmospheric twilight and night shots of the river contributing effectively to the generally haunting nature of the film. House by the River is definitely worth viewing.
In the absence of wife Jane Wyatt, author with the roving eye, Louis Hayward makes unwelcome advances towards recently appointed and very beautiful maid Emily (Dorothy Patrick). Phased by her hysterical response and distracted by the probability of being overheard, upon finally releasing his grip from around her neck, he discovers...that she is dead.
Engaging the reluctant assistance of partially disabled brother (Lee Bowman), Emily's body is bundled into a wood sack and under cover of night, dumped into the river. Despite being firmly anchored down, one suspects that we have not seen the last of Emily. Indeed, it's not the red red robin that's likely to come bob bob bobbing along the water any time soon and a further case of Floating Carcass Syndrome seems imminent. When Hayward shows discomfort at the sight of a jumping silver fish caught fleetingly in the moonlight, one senses the presence of a bad omen.
A low budget entry from Republic Pictures, House by the River is a generally enthralling period (c1900) gothic noir, which bears a certain comparison with Gaslight. Only during the talky courtroom scene does interest wane slightly. With glasses consisting of one plain and one tinted lens, is the judge attempting to make a fashion statement? If so, any fragment of street cred is extinguished by his comb over hair do!
Featuring a cast comprising largely of tier two Hollywood performers, including Bowman, who incurs the wrath of housekeeper, Jody Gilbert by refusing to consume a substantial meal with his drink.
An often overlooked minor gem in Fritz Lang's output, with some atmospheric twilight and night shots of the river contributing effectively to the generally haunting nature of the film. House by the River is definitely worth viewing.