379 - The Old Dark House

Eavesdropping at the Movies · Dec 5, 2022 · 30m

José gave an introduction to the MAC's screening of The Old Dark House, a 1932 comedy horror directed by James Whale, focusing on queerness. James Whale was openly gay - although what it meant to be openly gay in the 1930s is up for discussion - and knowledge of his sexuality has led to interpretations of his work in that light, including Frankenstein (1931) and The Invisible Man (1933). The Old Dark House arguably invites such readings more explicitly than those, with the demeanour of Ernest Thesiger as Horace Femm (not to mention his surname), the relationship between Morgan (Boris Karloff)…