That was an excellent one.

Most undeservingly overhyped movie of all time??

From my favorite movies..

The storyline feels a little thin and moth-eaten in parts but this sequel is plenty of fun.

Attempting to start his career over, a wax sculptor returns several years away to use a group of low-lifes around him to be the models for his next display and forces an inspector and his girlfriend to stay on top of him to halt the madman's rampage.This is a prime slab of early classic horror that is extremely interesting and packs a couple more thrills than it should for its time. With this one single film, we are introduced to the wondrous Vincent Price as a horror icon, and this is one assured debut. Price is in top form here, and the fact that we can see his work for the first time in a horror film makes this one an extra special film. Even without that recognition, it's an entertaining 50's cheese-fest that features a lot of great moments. The beginning of the film is one of the film's best features, as a fire destroys a wax studio in a nice action set-piece that normally doesn't have these big scenes in movies and it's a wonderful, eye-opening first sequence. There is also a long and extended chase scene through the dank, fog-laden streets of London that really drives home some suspenseful moments. The murders are cool and violent for the time being while not overly stepping over any bounds of decency in place then. The other chase sequences are just as striking, with the last one being the top one in the film. That leads up to a spectacular conclusion that is so incredibly action-packed here with plenty of full- on struggling and brawling around in the wax lair that's fun on its own even before the utterly spectacular fire that spreads throughout here leaving the entire building in flames that makes the film all the more fun. The final revelation of Price's character is also one of the classic moments in the history of film, and it's just as shocking today as it was then. It gives some great chills, and the method used is pretty creative and unique. These here are all more than enough to hold this up over what is basically just one really lame and utterly bland flaw. Basically, most of the 3D sequences in here were pretty cheesy. That's not to say they didn't work in the film, just that they were pretty cheesy, easy-to-spot and not at all that convincingly done either. For the time, they might've worked but for the most part the gags haven't aged well. It's a toss-up as to which ones don't, but they're so noticeable and replayed throughout nearly every single 3D installment that they're not all that difficult to find faults with them. The only other small flaw is we saw the skin of Price's after burns much too early and often. It works wonderfully and has some fantastic abilities to shock, but too much is seen of it for it to be of much use in the scare department. It should've been hidden better to have an effect. Otherwise, for the film that introduced Vincent Price to the horror community it deserves some recognition.Today's Rating/PG: Violence.

The 1953 version, unlike the 1933 version starring Glenda Farrell, is set in Victorian times. With the motion picture code in full force, you have nothing to lose by taking the story out of modern times. Again, the catalyst of the plot is an artist's greedy partner deciding to set fire to the wax museum that has become a real money loser and collect the insurance money. The artist (Vincent Price) wrestles with partner as he goes around setting fire to the place and ultimately is knocked unconscious, presumed dead by the greedy partner. He'd be wrong about that. I'm not spoiling anything here for you because this is revealed early on in the film.Here the protagonists in the film are an apprentice sculptor and his girlfriend. From the beginning they suspect something fishy is going on when the wax figure of Joan of Arc seems to bear an uncanny resemblance to our heroine's murdered roommate, played by Carolyn Jones, who was last seen saying she was going out with a wealthy debonair man she had just met, and then she just disappeared. Also, this version uses a gimmick that was popular with audiences of the 1950's - 3D. It was the two-strip technicolor of its day.The main attraction in this film is the charismatic Vincent Price. In the 40's he played a series of supporting roles in some noirish Fox films, and here he is just getting started in the horror genre. He breathes real life and brings range to the role of the mad murderous sculptor that Lionel Atwill didn't seem capable of delivering in the earlier version. Also, I like the fact that in this later version we actually get to see Price confront the former partner who left him to perish in his burning museum.

Professor Henry Jarrod (Vincent Price) refuses to sensationalize his wax museum like all the others. His meticulous work is second to none but his business partner Matthew Burke wants better attendance. Jarrod refuses to lower his high brow historical recreations and tries to get Sidney Wallace to buy out Burke in 3 months. Burke needs the money now and burns down the building for the $25k insurance. Jarrod refuses and tries to stop Burke. Jarrod is believed to have died in the fire but the insurance takes a long time to settle without Jarrod's body. Just as they give him the $25k, Jarrod is killed by a deformed man who steals the money. The deformed man kills Jarrod's superficial girlfriend Cathy Gray and almost kills her sweet best friend Sue Allen. Police detective Lt. Brennan investigates. The deformed man then steals Cathy's body from the morgue. Jarrod reconnects with Wallace looking for investment to reopen a new exhibition with all the grotesque violence that the public is looking for.This is touted as one of the early big 3-D movies. Although I didn't see it in 3-D, this has the prerequisite puddle ball 3-D effect. I'm sure that is loads of fun but this movie is even more than that. It's a good mass killer movie. Vincent Price is great even stuck in a wheelchair for most of the movie. The story is compelling and a fun house of horrors. It even has a bit of humor although mostly due to its campiness.

Prof. Henry Jarrod loves his wax figures that he has created with love and passion by his own hands. The wax works-of-art seems to be the professors only love outside of the historical museum itself - but one wax figure stands tall over the rest Marie Antoinette, the professors most cherished wax-work. He will seek revenge on those that have destroyed everything he's worked for and everything he loves.This is the best version of the film I have seen (although I have yet to see the 2005 remake to fairly judge).This is a good late night film to watch - maybe making it (House of Wax) a double feature with the original "Mystery of the Wax Museum (1933)".7.5/10