House of Wax

"You've never been scared until you've been scared in 3-D."

Apr 25 1953 PG 1h 28m
Horror

A New York sculptor who opens a wax museum to showcase the likenesses of famous historical figures runs into trouble with his business partner, who demands that the exhibits become more extreme in order to increase profits.

Plot

Professor Henry Jarrod is a true artist whose wax sculptures are lifelike. He specializes in historical tableau's such a Marie Antoinette or Joan of Arc. His business partner, Matthew Burke, needs some of his investment returned to him and pushes Jarrod to have more lurid exposes like a chamber of horrors. When Jarrod refuses, Burke set the place alight destroying all of his beautiful work in the hope of claiming the insurance. Jarrod is believed to have died in the fire but he unexpectedly reappears some 18 months later when he opens a new exhibit. This time, his displays focus on the macabre but he has yet to reproduce his most cherished work, Marie Antoinette. When he meets his new assistant's beautiful friend, Sue Allen, he knows he's found the perfect model - only unbeknown to anyone, he has a very particular way of making his wax creations.

Written by

Crane Wilbur, Charles Belden

Directed by

André De Toth

Production Countries

United States of America

Production Companies

Warner Bros. Pictures

Languages

English

Awards

1 win & 2 nominations total

Scores
# of Votes
21,131
Average Rating
7 out of 10
Metascore
68
Popularity
NA