Did you know that you can watch full length movies for free on YouYube? You don't even have to feel like a mooch when you do it because these movies are in the public domain and are therefore owned by YOU! Some of these movies stink but some are incredibly excellent like the one I'm going to talk about today, 1960's HORROR HOTEL. I know the title makes it sound dopey but that's just because it has been dumbed down for American audiences and it's really called CITY OF THE DEAD. This spooky gem is one of the better horror movies, one of the better witch movies and one of the better black and white films. If you watch it on your computer, fog will seep out of your keyboard. I swear.
HORROR HOTEL is about a young college student named Nan who travels to a small New England town to research a paper on witchcraft on the advice of her professor. The excursion seems sensible enough until the moment she arrives at the town and finds it to be the creepiest place on Earth. Nan grabs a room at the suspiciously named Raven's Inn and slowly discovers that the town is sitting in Satan's paw and that the Inn's owner looks a hell of a lot like a notorious witch that was burned at the stake a couple hundred years ago. Spooky unpredictable things ensue.
Some movies just vibrate with a supernatural power all their own and this is one of them. Calling this movie atmospheric is like calling the ocean damp or a tornado breezy. If you've ever enjoyed a stay in Dunwich, Hobb's End or Potter's Bluff you need to book a stay in the HORROR HOTEL's thankfully fictional Whitewood, Massachusetts. Besides accomplishing a pitch-perfect, eerie mood, this a move that knows no fear on a storytelling level. The good guys need to be more than just good to survive. Another major selling point is the presence of CHRISTOPHER LEE as Nana's bad advice giving teacher. You'll see exactly why LEE is an icon as he is consistently mesmerizing throughout. Cobras should use CHRISTOPHER LEE movies to train their offspring.
The full movie is below but if ya' need to see it bigger, just click on the corner and transport yourself over to the YouTube. HORROR HOTEL is directed by JOHN MOXEY (CIRCUS OF FEAR) and written by MILTON SUBOTSKY (THE VAULT OF HORROR) & GEORGE BAXT (The equally exceptional BURN, WITCH, BURN!) Enjoy your stay!
I totally love this movie for all the reasons you mentioned. After the first time I saw it I couldn't get it out of my head. I didn't remember the name at all – I just kept thinking – what was that cool movie with all the fog and the cool driving to the creepy town scenes?
It still takes me a minute when I see the name of the movie to connect it to the movie.
This has always been one of my favorite horror films, ever since I saw it on Creature Features in NYC when I was a kid. The film is so atmospheric and Patricia Jessel is fantastic as Mrs. Newless. I tell everyone I know to seek it out.
Was footage from this used in an Iron Maiden video? Seems kinda familiar….
You are correct Magired!