4/5 An enduring classic
  by z hayes (plano,texas)
I have watched this horror classic numerous times over the years, and am still captivated by it. A remake of 1933's Mystery of the Wax Museum, this 1953 Andre de Toth-directed movie reflected the beginning of the 3-D mania. The film stars Vincent Price as Prof. Henry Jarrod, a talented and obsessive wax sculptor who runs a waxworks museum in New York circa early 1900s. His greedy partner, Matthew Burke (Roy Roberts) is dissatisfied at their meager profits, and insists on displaying more suggestive and sensational exhibits, much to Jarrod's chagrin. Then in a fit of temper, Burke suggests burning down the waxworks and collecting the sizable insurance money, and in the ensuing scuffle, starts a fire. Jarrod survives the fire, but is badly hurt, and after some time spent recuperating and apparently restored to full health, starts a new waxworks with the aid of deaf-mute Igor (a very young Charles Bronson).

The highlight of Jarrod's exhibit is the one featuring sensational crimes, both past and contemporary, and includes an exhibit of Burke himself, a recent victim of murder, though the case has not been solved. Burke's fiancee Cathy was also killed, and when Sue Allen (Phyllis Kirk) who happen to be Cathy's friend, visits the exhibit, she finds the wax replica of Cathy to be too life-like. The mystery of Jarrod's wax museum is gradually unravelled as the movie progresses.

I love the Gothic atmosphere in the movie, and the rich, vibrant color of the wax exhibits. Price's portrayal as the deranged wax sculptor is credible and mesmerizing (and I just love the way he delivers his lines!). Though Cushing and Lee are my favorite horror actors, Price definitely ranks high on my list of all-time horror greats. The movie flows well too, and suspense is gradually built-up, though I have to admit that the plot is quite predictable. The picture quality is not altogether satisfactory, at least on the DVD I viewed, but this is definitely a horror classic, and a must-have for fans of classic horror.


4/5 Solid movie that holds up pretty well over time
  by Joker (Michigan)
This 1953 color movie was originally released as a 3D movie, something very popular in the 1950s. The storyline is basically this: It is early twentieth century New York, and a wax sculptor named Henry Jarrod (Vincent Price) refuses to give in to his financial partner's wishes for better wax exhibits to boost profits for the museum. In reliation, this business partner, Matthew Burke (Roy Roberts) sets fire to the museum which destroys all of Jarrod's life's work. However, Jarrod survives the fire and is badly burned as a result. Jarrod disguises his facial burns with a wax mask he has made to appear normal looking. His goal is to open a new museum called House Of Wax and restock it with actual people who are his murder victims, but covered with wax. He does all of this because the fire that disfigured him and destroyed his life's work has made him become a madman. In the end, it is he who is a victim of his own wax trap.

This movie also stars Carolyn Jones (Morticia Addams from the Addams Family, and Marsha Queen Of Diamonds from the 1960s Batman TV series) as murder victim Cathy Gray. It also stars Phyllis Kirk as Gray's suspicious friend Sue Allen (who notices that all the waxworks are wax-coated murder victims of Jarrod), and Charles Bronson, who plays a deaf-mute sculptor.

The acting and the movie in general is a little campy, yet spooky at the same time. All in all, it is a good movie that was the first horror movie of Vincent Price's career. This DVD also comes with the 1933 color film that inspired the 1953 remake, Mystery Of The Wax Museum, starring Lionel Atwill and Fay Wray (King Kong 1933). I like this original version just as much as the remake. I definitely recommend this double feature DVD.

5/5 Oldie but goodie
  by onetruthgirl (Charlotte, NC)
I found The Ghost and Mr. Chicken at Amazon and upon seeing the price, jumped on it. I remembered seeing this film as a child and thought it was a perfect family style film to watch with my children for Halloween as it has that perfect combination of just a bit of creepiness with lots of laughs and a little drama.

5/5 house of wax
  by Luis A. N. casares (usa)
this classical horror movie is one of my favorites. with vincent price, frank lovejoy, carolyn jones and the young and unknown at that time charles bronson, plays a renowned wax sculptor assistant. a wax sculptor plunged into madness when an arsonist destroys his life work. unable to use his flame scarred hands he devises a new and murdeous way of restocking his house of wax. greats horror movie.

5/5 Two Great Movies For The Price Of One
  by lisa (larkspur)
Andres de Toth's 1953 HOUSE OF WAX has a great ensemble cast. Vincent Price, Phyllis Kirk, Frank Lovejoy, Paul Picerni, and a very young Charles Bronson and Carolyn Jones. The story/script is good and moves along at a good pace. The beautiful color of the film and the time period, around the 1890's or turn of the century, add to the story. Love the clothes and impressive sets and the "look" of the film.

In my opinion, this film, of the two movies on the DVD, has more of a horror feel to it and Vincent Price is very good as the sculptor/owner of a wax museum who is trying to get enough wax figures ready in time for the opening. I love the man who plays the advertising barker outside the Museum with the Paddle-ball!! Really good!! Love that scene! This movie was released in 3-D so the ball is supposed to look like it is coming at you.

Michael Curtiz's 1933 The MYSTERY OF THE WAX MUSEUM was handled a bit differently. This movie takes place in 1933, is also in color and also a good movie with fine performances by Lionel Atwill and Glenda Farrell. Glenda plays a newspaperwoman and has a bigger part than Fay Wray (who got second billing). Glenda's character is not in the remake.

I feel that this movie is a bit lighter in tone as far as the horror element as compared to HOUSE OF WAX. Maybe that is because of Glenda's character who is fun, sharp and sassy. This film was pre-code (1933) as the movie deals pretty heavily with a junkie instead of a drunkard as in the remake and Glenda asks a policeman/friend "How's your sex life?". That would NOT be asked in the remake.

Both films are good, just a little different. But as remakes go, the 1953 HOUSE OF WAX is excellent.