The Red House (1947)

80% of critics liked it
(5 reviews)
59% of users liked it
(793 ratings)

Delmer Daves directs the noirish thriller The Red House, based on the novel by George Agnew Chamberlain. Edward G. Robinson plays Pete Morgan, a farmer who harbors dark secrets and refuses to let anyone near the red house in the woods behind the house. In order to fend off trespassers, he hires… More Delmer Daves directs the noirish thriller The Red House, based on the novel by George Agnew Chamberlain. Edward G. Robinson plays Pete Morgan, a farmer who harbors dark secrets and refuses to let anyone near the red house in the woods behind the house. In order to fend off trespassers, he hires Teller (Rory Calhoun) to stand guard. He lives with his sister, Ellen (Judith Anderson), and his adopted daughter, Meg (Allene Roberts). When they hire Meg's friend, Nath Storm (Lon McCallister), to help out on the farm, the two kids start to wonder about the mysterious red house. The film features an eerie original score by Miklós Rózsa. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 40 min.
Directed By: Delmer Daves
Written By: Delmer Daves
Genres: Mystery & Suspense, Classics

In Theaters: Mar 16, 1947 Wide
On DVD: Dec 22, 1998

Critic Reviews

Matt Brunson, Creative Loafing
This isn't a noir in the traditional sense, but it boasts enough ingredients to pass as one.
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
A peculiar thriller with some horror overtones. It conjures up a wholesome small town feel, complete with nosy neighbors and gossip, and an undercurrent that grows increasingly darker.
Carol Cling, Las Vegas Review-Journal
Another classic Robinson performance in a moody thriller.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Has its effective moments.

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

Chris B

A more noirish thriller than most, "The Red House" begins as a supernatural thriller before it's revealed as a psychological one in the culmination of events leading to the nightmarish finale. Edward G. Robinson and the rest of the cast give good performances and while… More
A more noirish thriller than most, "The Red House" begins as a supernatural thriller before it's revealed as a psychological one in the culmination of events leading to the nightmarish finale. Edward G. Robinson and the rest of the cast give good performances and while the script may falter in places, the performances and mood help it stay on it's feet. The film is a rather obscure and little known feature, especially one with so many stars, and that element works here. Overall I think this is a film anyone can enjoy and get into, as both my uncle and grandma both were uneasy at first but really enjoyed the film.