Dragonwyck
by Published on 07-03-2011 09:27 AM
Following so closely after last month's Haunted Influences, I was tempted to name this article Haunted Affluence because it's more of a "class act" than the previous entry: Joseph L. Mankiewicz's 1946 film Dragonwyck, starring Gene Tierney and Vincent Price. Although not, strictly speaking, a horror film, Imagineers may have screened this film on the strength of Vincent Price's later reputation.
Dragonwyck is a Gothic romance, much along the same lines as 1940's Rebecca. A young, naïve Gene Tierney is brought to stay at Dragonwyck, an estate in the Hudson Valley owned by the handsome and enigmatic Vincent Price. Price wouldn't be typecast as the "master of horror" for another decade, and is a "dreamboat" leading man here. A darker side to his character is eventually revealed — Just what is he doing up there in his forbidden tower room? The creepy chambermaid gives cryptic warnings (à la Rebecca).
Although Vincent Price and Gene Tierney are excellent in this film, there's nothing in the story that relates to The Haunted Mansion; so we'll focus on the production design, which closely resembles the Florida version of this classic attraction. First there's the location on a bluff overlooking the Hudson river...
Look familiar?
There is a conservatory at the end of one wing of the house...
... where our lovely protagonist has an early pivotal scene with her handsome costar.
There are stately gardens, with very heavy cement urns on pedestals every so often.
You'll also see these in 1964's Hush, Hush, Sweet Charlotte where they figure prominently in the story. As an aside, I'd like to suggest Hush, Hush as another design influence. Who can look at this publicity still of Bette Davis and Joan Crawford and not think of Marc Davis' stretching portrait of the Widow Patecleaver perched atop George's headstone?
...anyway, back to Dragonwyck. The interiors resemble every version of the The Haunted Mansion attraction so named (i.e. not Phantom Manor or Mystic Manor).
There is a wood-paneled ballroom with a long stairway at the back leading to an upper floor.
Also take note of the old-fashioned maid uniform, which is similar to that of attraction hosts — although the design has been simplified over the years.
Doors leading to the bed-chambers are enormous and ornate, similar to those in Robert Wise's The Haunting. Although these don't breathe, they do admit that oh-so-creepy chambermaid.
There are heavy, dark, ornately carved and vaguely coffin-shaped wood moldings everywhere in the house....
...as well as a few typical "old dark house" conventions scattered about; such as an eerily lit and creepy grandfather clock...
...and the portrait of a deceased wife, illuminated by frequent lightning flashes.
Once again, I have no references to present that link this film to the attraction, so my ascertains that Imagineers saw this film are solely conjecture. Do you suppose they did?
Last edited by Ezra; 07-03-2011 at 03:04 PM.
Reason: typos
Favorite Hitchhiking Ghost
by Ezra Published on 07-03-2011 09:27 AM
Originally Posted by Ezra
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