The Maze (1953 film)
Encyclopedia
The Maze is a 1953
, atmospheric science fiction
, horror film
in 3-D
starring Richard Carlson and actress Hillary Brooke
. Directed by William Cameron Menzies
, it was distributed by Allied Artists Pictures. This was to be the second 3-D film designed and directed by William Cameron Menzies. Menzies, who was known as a director with a very "dimensional" style (e.g. many shots are focused in layers). This would be his final film as production designer and director.
) abruptly breaks off his engagement to pretty Kitty (Veronica Hurst
) after receiving word of his uncle's death. He inherits a mysterious castle
in the Scottish highlands and moves there to live with the castle servants. Kitty refuses to accept the broken engagement and travels with her aunt (Katherine Emery) to the castle. When they arrive, they discover that Gerald has suddenly aged and his manner has changed significantly.
After a series of mysterious events occur in both the castle and the hedge maze outside, they invite a group of friends, including a doctor, to the castle in the hopes that they can help Gerald with whatever ails him. Although the friends are equally concerned by Gerald's behavior, they are at a loss to its cause. One night, Kitty and her aunt steal a key to their bedroom door (which is always locked from the outside) and sneak out into the mysterious maze. There they discover Gerald and his servants tending to a frog-like monster. The monster panics upon seeing the strangers and runs back to the castle, hurling itself from a top-story balcony.
At the end, Gerald explains that the amphibious creature was the actual master of the castle and that he and his ancestors were merely its servants. The death of the creature releases him from his obligation and he is able to return to a normal life.
1953 in film
The year 1953 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*September 16 — The Robe debuts as the first anamorphic, widescreen CinemaScope film.-Top grossing films : After theatrical re-issue- Awards :Academy Awards:A...
, atmospheric science fiction
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
, horror film
Horror film
Horror films seek to elicit a negative emotional reaction from viewers by playing on the audience's most primal fears. They often feature scenes that startle the viewer through the means of macabre and the supernatural, thus frequently overlapping with the fantasy and science fiction genres...
in 3-D
3-D film
A 3-D film or S3D film is a motion picture that enhances the illusion of depth perception...
starring Richard Carlson and actress Hillary Brooke
Hillary Brooke
Hillary Brooke was an American film actress best known for her work in Abbott and Costello and Sherlock Holmes films...
. Directed by William Cameron Menzies
William Cameron Menzies
William Cameron Menzies was an Academy Award-winning American film production designer and art director who also worked as a director, producer, and screenwriter during a career spanning five decades...
, it was distributed by Allied Artists Pictures. This was to be the second 3-D film designed and directed by William Cameron Menzies. Menzies, who was known as a director with a very "dimensional" style (e.g. many shots are focused in layers). This would be his final film as production designer and director.
Plot
A Scotsman named Gerald MacTeam (Richard CarlsonRichard Carlson
Richard Carlson was an American actor, television and film director, and screenwriter.-Career:Born in Albert Lea, Minnesota, Carlson graduated from the University of Minnesota with an M.A. degree, Summa Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa. He later appeared on the Broadway stage in the 1930s after studying...
) abruptly breaks off his engagement to pretty Kitty (Veronica Hurst
Veronica Hurst
Veronica Hurst is an English motion picture, stageand television actress who was born in Malta. She was raised in Tooting, South London, England...
) after receiving word of his uncle's death. He inherits a mysterious castle
Castle
A castle is a type of fortified structure built in Europe and the Middle East during the Middle Ages by European nobility. Scholars debate the scope of the word castle, but usually consider it to be the private fortified residence of a lord or noble...
in the Scottish highlands and moves there to live with the castle servants. Kitty refuses to accept the broken engagement and travels with her aunt (Katherine Emery) to the castle. When they arrive, they discover that Gerald has suddenly aged and his manner has changed significantly.
After a series of mysterious events occur in both the castle and the hedge maze outside, they invite a group of friends, including a doctor, to the castle in the hopes that they can help Gerald with whatever ails him. Although the friends are equally concerned by Gerald's behavior, they are at a loss to its cause. One night, Kitty and her aunt steal a key to their bedroom door (which is always locked from the outside) and sneak out into the mysterious maze. There they discover Gerald and his servants tending to a frog-like monster. The monster panics upon seeing the strangers and runs back to the castle, hurling itself from a top-story balcony.
At the end, Gerald explains that the amphibious creature was the actual master of the castle and that he and his ancestors were merely its servants. The death of the creature releases him from his obligation and he is able to return to a normal life.
Cast
- Richard CarlsonRichard CarlsonRichard Carlson was an American actor, television and film director, and screenwriter.-Career:Born in Albert Lea, Minnesota, Carlson graduated from the University of Minnesota with an M.A. degree, Summa Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa. He later appeared on the Broadway stage in the 1930s after studying...
Gerald MacTeam - Veronica HurstVeronica HurstVeronica Hurst is an English motion picture, stageand television actress who was born in Malta. She was raised in Tooting, South London, England...
Kitty Murray - Katherine Emery as Edith Murray
- Michael PateMichael PateMichael Pate was an Australian actor, writer and director.-Early life:He was born Edward John Pate in Drummoyne, Sydney...
as William - John Dodsworth as Dr. Bert Dilling
- Hillary BrookeHillary BrookeHillary Brooke was an American film actress best known for her work in Abbott and Costello and Sherlock Holmes films...
as Peggy Lord - Stanley Fraser as Robert
- Lilian BondLilian BondLilian Bond was a British film actress of the late 1920s through the 1940s, with most of her films being B-movies.-Life and career:...
as Margaret Dilling (as Lillian Bond) - Owen McGiveney as Simon
- Robin HughesRobin HughesRobin Hughes was a film and television actor-Background:Robin Hughes was born June 7, 1920 in Buenos Aires, Argentina to English parents...
as Richard Roblar