Line #14 Film/HouseOfTheLongShadows


1	[[quoteright:305:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/house_of_the_long_shadows.jpeg]]
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3	''House of the Long Shadows'' is a 1983 British comedy horror film [[TheFilmOfTheBook based loosely on]] Earl Derr Biggers' 1913 novel ''Seven Keys to Baldpate'', which had already received a [[Theatre/SevenKeysToBaldpate stage adaptation]] and a number of earlier film versions under the original title. Directed by Pete Walker and released by Creator/TheCannonGroup, it's best known for being the only film to unite horror movie stalwarts Creator/VincentPrice, Creator/PeterCushing, Creator/ChristopherLee and Creator/JohnCarradine.
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5	Author Kenneth Magee (Desi Arnaz Jr.) enters a bet with his publisher Sam Allyson (Richard Todd) that he can write a work of Gothic fiction in twenty-four hours, so Allyson sends him off to a deserted manor house in Wales, where he can be inspired and have a bit of peace. However, a number of unusual events begin to occur which threaten to end not only Magee's bet, but his life itself.
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7	----
8	!!''House of the Long Shadows'' contains examples of:
9	* AllJustADream:[[spoiler:Played with, it seems that horrific end of the Grisbanes was actually a story invented by Sam Allison to scare Kenneth, before it is shown that even this is an element of Kenneth's plot.]]
10	* AndYouWereThere: During [[spoiler:the second twist ending]], Kenneth sees that Mary was actually Sam's real secretary, and one of the nearby waiters happens to look a lot like Lionel Grisbane.
11	* AxCrazy: Roderick brutally hacks his eldest brother to death with quite a blunt axe, so it takes a few goes.
12	* BigScrewedUpFamily:The Grisbanes.
13	* BrilliantButLazy: Kenneth writes for the money, but when he has to, he is able to write a very good gothic horror in only twenty four hours.
14	* TheCon: An unsuspecting author is set up to experience a GothicHorror-flavored suspense story by his publisher, who hires actors to pose as a Family With A DarkSecret, gathering to resolve a long-ago injustice. At least, that's what the novel the author writes in 24 hours is about.
15	* CreepyHousekeeper: The couple Kenneth meets upon his arrival claim to be this, but it is eventually discovered that they are Lord Grisbane and his daughter.
16	* CryingWolf: Sam initially sends his secretary to try and scare Kenneth, but he sees through it easily. When she protests that something is genuinely wrong, he is naturally sceptical. [[spoiler:It turns out that there genuinely is no threat, the whole situation was a setup.]]
17	* JustHereForGodzilla: It's likely most people will watch the film to see the four horror veterans in action.
18	* MadwomanInTheAttic: Roderick, who is believed to have become a gibbering lunatic given the length of his imprisonment.
19	* MaybeEverAfter: Kenneth and Mary.
20	* MoneyDearBoy: Kenneth initially only writes for this purpose, but learns his lesson at the end.
21	* TheReveal: Several;
22	** [[spoiler:Roderick was innocent of the murder, and was framed in order to allow Lionel, the real killer, to escape justice and inherit the family estate, being the eldest.]]
23	** [[spoiler:The whole story of the Grisbanes was a collaboration between Sam Allison and a collection of actors. Then it is revealed that this too is a fabrication, and that Kenneth invented the whole thing.]]
24	* ThisIsForEmphasisBitch: Lionel gives a truly wonderful cherry topper in arguably the film's most famous scene.
25	-->'''Lionel:''' Congratulations, Bernard! What a fall, ''all the way down the stairs.'' Wonderful! But then you always were good at falling from a great height.
26	-->'''Corrigan:''' Can't compare, my dear Jeffrey, with your famous death scenes, which you've played so ''brilliantly.'' For over seventy years.
27	-->'''Lionel:''' Bitch.
28	* TokenGoodTeammate: Sebastian is definitely the most pleasant of the Grisbanes, and is the only one who had doubts about keeping Roderick imprisoned for so long.
29	* WorldOfHam: Naturally, considering the cast.

Context Film / HouseOfTheLongShadows