The House Of The Seven Gables (1940) (dvd)

Synopsis: One of the pioneers of the costume drama in German silent cinema, Joe May doesn't quite catch the American idiom in this adaptation of Nathaniel Hawthorne's 19th-century classic, which is more gothic than puritan in tone. George Sanders is, however, deliciously caddish as the scheming son who exploits a curse to consign brother Vincent Price to jail in a bid to take over the family mansion.

The only one to benefit is Price's fiancée Margaret Lindsay, who proves her mettle 20 years down the line when she protects both Price and her cousin (Nan Grey) from Sanders's wrath.

Cast: George Sanders
Runtime: 88 min
Quality: very good.