I've always wondered what ever happened to this Paramount film series. This is the only one of these "Henry Aldrich" movies I ever remember seeing on television while growing up, and I revisited it recently through an old VHS copy from an unknown source. HENRY ALDRICH HAUNTS A HOUSE is not a good comedy, nor does it really work even as a decent little horror flick. But Jimmy Lydon, who portrays the title nerd, was very good and I can sense a hint of fun somewhere in these proceedings, should I ever get the chance to track any more entries of this series down. Here, Henry stumbles into a supposedly "haunted" house and accidentally drinks a serum that may or may not be giving him the strength of three men. Too much aimless meandering in the shadows and hallways and not enough good writing. ** out of ****
6 Reviews
Henry accidentally becomes a Jekyll-Hyde monster.
vikitoria23 April 2000
This is another in the saga of Henry Aldrich. Once again, Henry gets into trouble trying to impress a girl.
Henry is trying to impress Elyse Towers, so he becomes an intellectual. He accidentally drinks a full bottle of liquid, which Mr. Towers is using to see if he can become stronger, so he becomes a very strong boy. His personality changes, and Mr. Bradley disappears (the one whom Henry said he could kill). As Henry and Dizzy seek out answers, and Mr. Bradley, they encounter strange antics in a haunted house. Dizzy sees the side of Henry he has never seen before.
This is one of the weaker in the series - farfetched. Who can believe Henry would kill someone? There is a "monster" whom the boys have to defeat though.
Henry is trying to impress Elyse Towers, so he becomes an intellectual. He accidentally drinks a full bottle of liquid, which Mr. Towers is using to see if he can become stronger, so he becomes a very strong boy. His personality changes, and Mr. Bradley disappears (the one whom Henry said he could kill). As Henry and Dizzy seek out answers, and Mr. Bradley, they encounter strange antics in a haunted house. Dizzy sees the side of Henry he has never seen before.
This is one of the weaker in the series - farfetched. Who can believe Henry would kill someone? There is a "monster" whom the boys have to defeat though.
A worth-while "Old Haunted House" film!
NormVogel31 August 2009
Henry and friends investigate "creep house", a supposedly 'haunted house' in town. (See the plot synopsis).
Even tho it's a comedy, this seldom-seen film has all the time-honored 'old house' bits: shadows of clutching hands, trapdoors & secret panels, a cemetery, a 'live mummy', skeletons, a 'live' suit of armor and MORE! A most enjoyable combination of comedy and chills. This film is "dated" but that only adds to it's charm!
I really wish that they would show the Henry Aldrich series on TV; it's definitely worth seeing and taping.
As the other reviewer said,"a must-see film" if they ever show it!
Even tho it's a comedy, this seldom-seen film has all the time-honored 'old house' bits: shadows of clutching hands, trapdoors & secret panels, a cemetery, a 'live mummy', skeletons, a 'live' suit of armor and MORE! A most enjoyable combination of comedy and chills. This film is "dated" but that only adds to it's charm!
I really wish that they would show the Henry Aldrich series on TV; it's definitely worth seeing and taping.
As the other reviewer said,"a must-see film" if they ever show it!
Clever comedy about accidentally haunting a house
Nomad-727 October 1999
It is a complete mystery to me why none of the Henry Aldrich movies has ever been released on video. All of them are fun to watch and a genuine look at the way America used to be.
This is my favorite of the Henry Aldrich movies, though I was very young the first time I saw it and it scared me for years afterward.
Henry, Dizzy and their gang are living, breathing archetypes of Archie and Jughead, but without the large breasted girl friends. If you get a chance to see any one of these movies on television (I can't remember the last time I was aware of one being on TV, but they must be once in a while) don't miss it. You will thank me for having recommended it.
This is my favorite of the Henry Aldrich movies, though I was very young the first time I saw it and it scared me for years afterward.
Henry, Dizzy and their gang are living, breathing archetypes of Archie and Jughead, but without the large breasted girl friends. If you get a chance to see any one of these movies on television (I can't remember the last time I was aware of one being on TV, but they must be once in a while) don't miss it. You will thank me for having recommended it.
Henry Aldrich Movie Haunts A House
dcforever-538-26290622 November 2013
I Just love all of Jimmy Lydon's (Henry Aldrich) Movies. This 1943, "Haunts a House" movie is my very favorite out of all of them. I have been waiting a long time for this one,or any of them to be aired on TV. It sure would be nice to see them all once again.Because of Henry's friends he is out to prove something later with Elise's ( Joan Mortimer) and in her fathers Chemistry Lab Henry ends up swallowing serum and the crazy night takes on a whole new adventure. He ends up in a haunted house with Elise who he has a bit of a crush on and Dizzy ( Charles Smith ) His silly best friend. This movie is sort of scary and very cute and funny !!! I found on DVD. my copy is really dark and hard to see, but I played it anyway for the grand kids, ages 5 - 12 and they just loved watching it.
My Mom was Elise
Foos11 November 1999
Joan Mortimer, who played Elise is my mother and I am still scared of the Haunted House. I was trumatized as a young kid when my father showed it at a birthday party for my mother. Imagine your mother at 18 before your eyes when you are barely 10 . All kidding aside, it is sometimes fun to see the movie today... but that teenager on screen was not the mother I grew up with! Affectionately Foos A.K.A. the son who lost his inheritance!
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