House of Wax
1953 · Movie · 88 min · ★ 6.9 · 81% critics
A dedicated sculptor runs a wax museum filled with lifelike historical figures, but clashes with a profit-driven partner who wants the show to turn darker and more sensational. After a devastating setback, a new museum opens with eerily realistic displays, and unsettling events around the city raise questions about how the exhibits are made.
Also known as The Wax Works
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Details
- Years
- 1953
- Release date
- 1953-04-16
- Language
- English
- Runtime
- 88 min
- Critic score
- 81/100
- TMDB rating
- 6.9/10 (383 votes)
- Box office
- $23,750,000
- Budget
- $1,000,000
About
You’ll likely enjoy this if you want a classic, atmospheric horror mystery with a serious tone and a macabre museum setting, in the vein of The Body Snatcher or The Mad Magician; Not for you if you need fast pacing or modern-level scares.
Pros: creepy wax-museum atmosphere; strong lead performance; fun classic thrills | Cons: some slow stretches; distracting 3D gags; uneven supporting roles
Themes
- mask
- new york city
- wheelchair
- morgue
- guillotine
- remake
- laboratory
- wax museum
- disfigured face
- psychotronic
- sculptor
- wax
- +4 more
Cast & crew
Vincent Price
as Henry Jarrod
Frank Lovejoy
as Tom Brennan
Phyllis Kirk
as Sue Allen
Carolyn Jones
as Cathy Gray
Paul Picerni
as Scott Andrews
Roy Roberts
as Matthew Burke
Angela Clarke
as Mrs. Andrews
Paul Cavanagh
as Sidney Wallace
Dabbs Greer
as Shane
Charles Bronson
as Igor
Directed by André de Toth