Hillbillys in a Haunted House

I too feel sad that some really fine actors had to resort to something like this. Rathbone, Carradine, and Chaney are immersed in one of the most tiresome wastes of time ever. Then we have country stars of the time, Merle Haggard, and the forgettable Ferlin Huskie singing away. There is no order or sense to any of this. Chaney does steal a few scenes, but I can't imagine putting down some change to see this mess in 1967. Of course, there were triple features at drive-in theaters which probably provided a venue.

Hillbillys in a Haunted House (1967) 1/2 (out of 4) A true disaster to any genre features three legendary horror stars embarrassing themselves. A bunch of country singers have some car trouble and end up having to spend the night at a creepy house, which just happens to be haunted. I personally can't see what the point of this movie was and I also have to wonder who this thing was made for. I love bad cinema but every once in a while I come across a film that doesn't work on any level and that's where this thing comes into play. Lon Chaney, Jr., John Carradine and Basil Rathbone are nice enough to cash a paycheck here as all three are wasted in thankless roles. I'm sure fans of the three will want to check them out but they're bound to be disappointed. This isn't even good in a bad way. Even worse is that Chaney is in obvious poor health and it's rather sad to see.

In his day, Director Jean Yarborough worked with all the big names in bad movies (Abbott & Costello, The Bowery Boys, Rondo Hatton and Bela Lugosi.) He even did an unacknowledged adventure series with Mantan Moreland battling Nazis in the tropics (KING OF THE ZOMBIES, LAW OF THE JUNGLE.)Capping off his film career with the ignominious twilight of performers like Carradine, Rathbone and Chaney Jr. seems like a destiny chosen for him by the gods of the B-Movies. Is there something of Greek tragedy in this ending, or is it merely poetic justice? At any rate, it was good to see three actors who had all seen much better days putting in one more turn as despicable villains, and it was a fitting coda for a director whose career was always more remarkable for determination than artistry.

Country and western singers Woody Wetherby(Ferlin Husky)and Boots Malone(Joi Lansing)along with their manager Jeepers(Don Bowman)are on the road to Nashville and a star-studded jamboree. They decide to get some rest and avoid a storm by taking refuge in an old empty mansion. Before long they realize the mansion is haunted; what they don't know is that it is also the headquarters of a spy ring led by Madame Wong(Linda Ho). Her minions are played by Lon Chaney Jr., John Carradine and Basil Rathbone in one of his last movies. The last twenty minutes or so is the Nashville jamboree featuring Sonny James, Merle Haggard, Molly Bee along with Woody and Boots. Even Jeepers does a comedy number. Sit back with a Moon Pie, Pork Rinds and a cold RC Cola and enjoy.

Perhaps one of the stupidest, un-funny, non-scary, most insipid and tedious moovies ever filmed, further cementing John Carradine's reputation as one of the worst actors ever. I cannot fathom just who this moovie is aimed for - hicks? People who make fun of hicks? Country/Western buffs? Horror fans??? Not even Bad Cinema buffs can take much of this warmed-over cow pie. This would have made a tasty treat for MST3K to bash, and it would no doubt rival Manos, the Hands of Fate for the most awful, ickiest, dreckiest piece o' crapola ever. MooCow says ferget you ever herd about it. :=8P

What can I say that hasn't already been said - they couldn't possibly make a movie that is worse than this. For myself, it is nice to be able to see the stunning beauty Joi Lansing, and near the end of her life. Joi Lansing was one of those uncommonly beautiful women who was mainly hired for her looks. She deserved much better. She died too young - just over forty years old - and she didn't have the kind of career that will make her very memorable. Most of her movies were laden with cheesiness. Her appearances in legitimate works seem to have been to exploit her appearance. I know this will skew the stats for this film, but I have to give it a 10 just because of the pleasure of seeing Joi.