The emphasis on the gay overtones in this film is a bit of an overkill. "The Uninvited" is a great ghost story,period! It is the first, great cinema classic of the supernatural. It had all the requirements that Robert Osborne calls "Essentials" for a cinema classic- a great script by Dodie Smith and Frank Partos, great direction by Lewis Allen, a great cast with Ray Milland, Ruth Hussey, Donald Crisp, Cornelia Otis Skinner, and introducing Gail Russell in her first starring role, great cinematography by Charles Lang Jr.(Who received an Academy Award nomination), and finally, an unforgettable music score by Victor Young. Yet it is the unforgettable performance by Gail Russell as the lovely, yet haunted Stella Meredith, that makes this film so memorable. Her portrayal of that lost and lonely girl who felt so unloved is so heartbreaking. That scene by the open window where she confesses the presence of her mother,and says she felt surrounded by her scent,with the room full of warmth and safety. The camera closes in to her face,and she says there was something else,something she has never known in her whole life-the knowledge that someone once loved her,very dearly. That was key to understanding her character. If you would like to know more about Gail Russell, JC Publications has published my biography of Gail Russell,"Fallen Star" It is now available on Amazon Books,and Barnes and Noble Booksellers.
This movie scared me when I was aged 7. I lived over seas and saw very little television. The ghost apparitions during the seance scared me to bits. The sobbing voice in the house simply scared me to death. I couldn't sleep for weeks after seeing this movie. I'm now, at age 59, so sad about miss Russells lifestyle and wish she could have had a better way of living.
It's not a "stretch" that a lesbian interest, at least on the part of "Miss Holloway," is obvious. The scene in which Miss Holloway is gazing at the portrait of "Mary Meredith"--with very obviously perky nipples barely covered by her gauzy dress is very voyeuristic. The music that Miss Holloway is playing as she fantasizes is the "Liebestod" from Wagner's great romantic opera "Tristan und Isolde." The "Liebestod" of the opera is sung by Isolde in which she rhapsodizes on her great love for Tristan whom she will follow in death. The music swells in erotic waves, breaking in a very dramatic climax. Listen to the orchestral version of the "Liebestod" and you will understand what the director is implying.
oh come on, of cours it's a gay iconic film. Miss Holloway was obsessed with Mary, there was absolutely nothing platonic about it. How could you erase that?
Great film. The two older female characters relationship hovers in the background. As a kid watching this film, it was not clear to me why any of it mattered and it was confusing b/c I had zero knowledge of lesbianism. Now realizing that, it 'demurks' a sub-point in the film.
Gay/lesbian subtext goes right over the heads of most heterosexuals. For too long subtext was all we were permitted or could get away with. Of course, one of the women is sinister while the other conveniently dead. Btw, excellent movie, The Uninvited!
From the first time I saw this movie to the last, I always thought Miss Holloway was in love with Mary. On the contrary of it being subtle, I think it is quite overt. It is still stereo-typical for the times when all lesbians had to be BAD women though. Btw, I'm not gay; and I think the movie is marvelous...watch it if you dare....
When I first seen this movie I did not notice the gay under tones I thought they were just best friends both slightly cold and unhinged.i wish they would have had a ghost of Carmel on screen.
Miss Hollaway always reminded me of Mrs Danvers from Rebecca
Same here, and Danvers was as obsessed with Rebecca as Miss Holloway was with Mary Meredith.
The emphasis on the gay overtones in this film is a bit of an overkill. "The Uninvited" is a great ghost story,period! It is the first, great cinema classic of the supernatural. It had all the requirements that Robert Osborne calls "Essentials" for a cinema classic- a great script by Dodie Smith and Frank Partos, great direction by Lewis Allen, a great cast with Ray Milland, Ruth Hussey, Donald Crisp, Cornelia Otis Skinner, and introducing Gail Russell in her first starring role, great cinematography by Charles Lang Jr.(Who received an Academy Award nomination), and finally, an unforgettable music score by Victor Young. Yet it is the unforgettable performance by Gail Russell as the lovely, yet haunted Stella Meredith, that makes this film so memorable. Her portrayal of that lost and lonely girl who felt so unloved is so heartbreaking. That scene by the open window where she confesses the presence of her mother,and says she felt surrounded by her scent,with the room full of warmth and safety. The camera closes in to her face,and she says there was something else,something she has never known in her whole life-the knowledge that someone once loved her,very dearly. That was key to understanding her character. If you would like to know more about Gail Russell, JC Publications has published my biography of Gail Russell,"Fallen Star" It is now available on Amazon Books,and Barnes and Noble Booksellers.
I so miss this guy!
This movie scared me when I was aged 7. I lived over seas and saw very little television. The ghost apparitions during the seance scared me to bits. The sobbing voice in the house simply scared me to death. I couldn't sleep for weeks after seeing this movie. I'm now, at age 59, so sad about miss Russells lifestyle and wish she could have had a better way of living.
Still scary 👻
It's not a "stretch" that a lesbian interest, at least on the part of "Miss Holloway," is obvious. The scene in which Miss Holloway is gazing at the portrait of "Mary Meredith"--with very obviously perky nipples barely covered by her gauzy dress is very voyeuristic. The music that Miss Holloway is playing as she fantasizes is the "Liebestod" from Wagner's great romantic opera "Tristan und Isolde." The "Liebestod" of the opera is sung by Isolde in which she rhapsodizes on her great love for Tristan whom she will follow in death. The music swells in erotic waves, breaking in a very dramatic climax. Listen to the orchestral version of the "Liebestod" and you will understand what the director is implying.
The seance scene in The Uninvited inspired the seance scene in the George c. Scott 1980 The Changeling
Great, classic ghost story. When is it coming out on DVD?
A great film with haunting main theme-
Amazing these two closet cases don’t see what’s plainly there…then again, maybe it isn’t so amazing after all.
I try to watch TCM whenever I can.
Found it for free on archive.org!
What about RE-DRECKA??
oh come on, of cours it's a gay iconic film. Miss Holloway was obsessed with Mary, there was absolutely nothing platonic about it. How could you erase that?
Great film. The two older female characters relationship hovers in the background. As a kid watching this film, it was not clear to me why any of it mattered and it was confusing b/c I had zero knowledge of lesbianism. Now realizing that, it 'demurks' a sub-point in the film.
Gay/lesbian subtext goes right over the heads of most heterosexuals. For too long subtext was all we were permitted or could get away with. Of course, one of the women is sinister while the other conveniently dead. Btw, excellent movie, The Uninvited!
From the first time I saw this movie to the last, I always thought Miss Holloway was in love with Mary. On the contrary of it being subtle, I think it is quite overt. It is still stereo-typical for the times when all lesbians had to be BAD women though. Btw, I'm not gay; and I think the movie is marvelous...watch it if you dare....
avallonmist Totally after! I don’t think it’s a far stretch at all- seems obvious to me! Reminds me of Mrs Danvers with Rebecca
I’m straight female…but I don’t think the lesbian message is a stretch by any means…I’ve always felt it..
When I first seen this movie I did not notice the gay under tones I thought they were just best friends both slightly cold and unhinged.i wish they would have had a ghost of Carmel on screen.
Ridiculous
DAMN…EVERYTHING is gay nowadays…..even if it ain’t!!
Hillary Clinton should have been in it!