House by the River (1950) | Fritz Lang’s Dark Film Noir Masterpiece of Crime, Guilt, | Classic Movie
Video Overview & Insights
House by the River is a psychological crime drama and film noir directed by Fritz Lang. Released in 1950, the film stars Louis Hayward, Lee Bowman, and Jane Wyatt. It is based on the 1921 novel *The House by the River* by A. P. Herbert. ([Vikipedi][1])
The great Fritz Lane. Never a moment without suspense.
Set in the Victorian era, the story follows struggling writer Stephen Byrne, who accidentally kills his maid after she resists his advances. Desperate to hide the crime, he convinces his brother John to help dispose of the body in a nearby river. As the investigation unfolds, suspicion falls on John while Stephen exploits the tragedy to gain publicity for his writing career. The film explores themes of guilt, ambition, deception, and psychological deterioration. ([Vikipedi][1])
Known for its dark atmosphere, striking black-and-white cinematography, and suspenseful storytelling, *House by the River* is considered one of Fritz Lang’s underrated noir thrillers. Critics and film historians have praised its Gothic mood and intense psychological tension. ([frenchfilms.org][2])
The lovely lead actress is Jane Wyatt.
She came from a well-to-do & well-connected family--her father was a stock broker, & her mother was a drama critic & member of the famous wealthy Van Rensselaer family that played such a pivotal role in the early Dutch settlement of NY state. Thru her mother she's also distantly related to both Edith Wharton & Herman Melville.
Jane Wyatt met her husband of 65 years, Edgar Ward, when they were both weekend houseguests of Franklin D. Roosevelt at Hyde Park in the 1920s. VERY well-connected!
Jane Wyatt was also extremely outspoken against Sen Joseph McCarthy, McCarthyism & the HUAC investigations that destroyed the careers of so many talented Americans in the entertainment industry. Jane Wyatt was blacklisted--her film career basically ended in the 50s as a result. She turned to the stage & television, & continued working into the 1970s. She's perhaps best known for her role as the Mother in 'Father Knows Best'--she won 3 consecutive Emmy Awards for her work in that role.
* Louis Hayward as Stephen Byrne
* Lee Bowman as John Byrne
Masterpiece study of narcissism. Amazing movie
* Jane Wyatt as Marjorie Byrne
* Dorothy Patrick as Emily Gaunt ([Vikipedi][1])
He's like an evil Desi Arnaz.
#HouseByTheRiver #HouseByTheRiver1950 #FritzLang #FilmNoir #ClassicCinema #CrimeDrama #PsychologicalThriller #LouisHayward #JaneWyatt #LeeBowman #VintageMovies #OldHollywood #ClassicFilms #MovieReview #FilmHistory
thank you
More User Perspectives
Police don't hear about Emily?
@SriRang-k1j9vMajrie&John characters have comebeautiful.
@SriRang-k1j9vNot Bad Not Great
@ArgentPureGrowing up I used to see Luis Heywood in old movies. This is the first I've seen him as a villain. Good movie
@justiceforall6412Skipped most of it.
@tinaroberts5858👎
@delphiavillarsWith last names like "Gaunt" and "Phantom" what could possibly go wrong? Also, who would write a book about a crime they just committed?
@Lisa-vh3nhDrop the anchor! Throw body overboard. Let's get out of here. Don't worry about the anchor..Great flick! Pure suspense
@WordDustNYCEn Atgentina no hablamos ingles TRADUZCAN!!
@HernanMendez-yg1uy1. There was telephone but no electric lights. The guys are always in three piece suits ... Steven, even while writing his stories ... so uncomfortable.
@Red-v3nBrilliant ❤ better than today's crap...
@Camelotrecipes4098Enjoy all Lang's films!
This one is a minor classic.
'Sometimes, cheap perfume can be very exciting!'
Very worth watching. and glad many of these noir films are available for free.
It's a R-E-P-U-B-L-I-C picture distributed by a K-I-N-G-D-O-M !!
@jamesmiller4184Very powerful, moving picture.
@SouthStar-u7uHow have I never heard of this movie?
@RodericSpodeWalmart
Fed Ex Printing
Work
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HOU 77083
Hotel Room
City Hall Mayor John Whitmire
HOU Texas USA
California
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Lawyer
Shahzad
Nov 28 1965
Well made and well acted. A lot of juicy characters, especially in the courtroom. Interesting to see a 75 year old film's take on an era even 50 years earlier.
@johnmurphy795312 minutes in and there's already a murder! Classic film noir
@bravesno1303That's NOT Humphrey Bogart!
@joek1228better death if, with the curtain round his neck, he went over the balustrade and was hung ...
@gjburchallWatched this before, years ago, still fantastic. Thank you.
@CatherineDoverFull of forensic holes...body strangulation will soon appear...no bruising from BFT....wife away....pretty maid....and the clincher; the gardener, 10.34, heard a scream but was distracted.
By the way: 1:11:16...the closing door....later used in The Godfather...
2 ads in 2 minutes im out
@markdrouin8094Stratford-upon-Avon
@user-yp9nz6bs9qThis reminded me so much of Gaslight, and a little bit of Strangers on a Train. Good one!!
@kjkjkj360So... who did Lang killed to have such brilliant inspiration ?
@Retroscoop♥️🌸🙏🌸♥️
@siaitsme6800Thank you -will enjoy❤
@DrMoorehenApart from a weak ending an excellent and gripping film
@tubeabuser99Thanks so much for posting
@jonathaneffemey944This was silly.
@rachelk7555Nine and a half minutes in. Enough. Dreadful dialogue.
@judeirwin2222I'd watch over and over and enjoy every watch the same movie.
@Masties518Thank you for posting this lovely film.
@dtaylor939I love old movies.
@warman58Wat a film suspense brutality of lies cover up 👆 film itself is hit loved every bit of it they say Old is 🥇 Gold
@nadeemmohammed6652Honestly, that is an hilarious ending! It negates everything that the film was trying to achieve in the previous 85 minutes. I rate Fritz Lang very highly, but I'm afraid he lets himself down big time with this poor and sloppy effort.
@charliewest1221Wow! What a great movie. They sure don't make them like that anymore.
@biggtomm2000utok, how stupid can two brothers be? they go UPSTREAM to dump the body??????? everyone KNOWS you go DOWNSTREAM when dumping a body! is there a STUPIDER premise for a plot?????? Lang, I am embarassed for you!
@cskarbek1Fritz Lang was a genius, and this was another fine production.
Excellent from beginning to end.
Thank you so much for sharing!
Very nice, simple & interesting movie
@nayeemsyed9599A black & white movie doesn't mean a "film noir". You may want to refresh your memory about the meaning of that term.
@DypoMageNunya?
@rebeculus