House By the River (1950)

100% of critics liked it
(5 reviews)
70% of users liked it
(756 ratings)

Fritz Lang was the guiding hand of this laudable Republic Studios melodrama. Louis Hayward stars as a wealthy wastrel who tries to seduce the family maid. She resists, and he kills her. Long jealous of his brother Lee Bowman, Hayward does his best to pin the blame for the murder on his sibling. Also… More Fritz Lang was the guiding hand of this laudable Republic Studios melodrama. Louis Hayward stars as a wealthy wastrel who tries to seduce the family maid. She resists, and he kills her. Long jealous of his brother Lee Bowman, Hayward does his best to pin the blame for the murder on his sibling. Also affected by Hayward's arrogant dementia is his long-suffering wife Jane Wyatt. Originally, director Lang had proposed that the unfortunate maid be a black woman, and that the killing take place accidentally during some harmless flirtation on Hayward's part. He was vetoed by the timorous Republic staff (even the slightest hint of miscegenation was taboo in 1950), but House by the River turned out pretty well all the same. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 28 min.
Directed By: Fritz Lang
Genres: Drama, Horror, Classics

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1950 Wide
On DVD: Nov 22, 2005

Critic Reviews

Fernando F. Croce, CinePassion
The shoestring budget both heightens the director's frustrations and frees his obsessions
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
It pits good brother against bad brother.
Michael E. Grost, Classic Film and Television
Beautifully made thriller
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
It's a subtle achievement, but a great one.
Ed Gonzalez, Slant Magazine
The clean-up job is serviceable but this is a rare Lang that's probably seen in any condition than in no condition at all.
Ed Gonzalez, Slant Magazine
Lang builds the film's routine melodrama into a snappy commentary on moral depravity and eye-for-an-eye retribution.

Read all 6 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Stella D

little seen and low budget gothic thriller with louis hayward in a standout performance as a would be novelist and all around sleaze who accidentally kills his maid while making advances to her. instead of reporting it, he talks his reluctant brother into helping him dump the body in… More
little seen and low budget gothic thriller with louis hayward in a standout performance as a would be novelist and all around sleaze who accidentally kills his maid while making advances to her. instead of reporting it, he talks his reluctant brother into helping him dump the body in the river. big mistake. the film is very entertaining but could've been stronger if lang had been allowed to make the servant black i think. cinematography is grand with long shots down dark corridors and spooky scenes of the river at night. well worth a look