Film Screening: The House of Wax

Join us at The London Archives for an evening of B-Movie horror! Part of our quarterly series "Reel Histories - Films in the Archive".

For our Halloween film screening event, we have chosen a Vincent Price pulp horror classic: House of Wax. Upon its release in 1953, it was one of the first 3-D feature film with stereophonic sound.

Many of the contemporary reviews from the Greater London Council Film Board Viewing files say they did not find that the film lived up to its H certificate leading one to comment: "The odd thing is that the effect of doing it in 3-D is to make it funny rather than horrifying". In 2014, the film was preserved into the Library of Congress and with a 93% certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, it is a fan favourite.

Why are we showing this film?

Amongst the sprawling archive of the former Greater London Council held by The London Archives are the Film Viewing Board Files (Catalogue reference: GLC/DG/EL/01). These are records of film censorship from 1922 to 1985. The files do not cover every film released in this period, but their variety is impressive. As part of our quarterly film screening series, "Reel Histories - Films in the Archive", we will show a different film from this collection each quarter - and you'll find out what the Film Viewing Board thought about the file at the time it was released.

What to expect at the event:

• Doors open for ticket-holders from 5.45pm.
• No admittance after 6.30pm. The event starts at 6.15pm with a historical introduction from The London Archives before the film.
• The London Archives will close at 8pm.
• Your ticket includes popcorn and a drink (soft drink or wine)

Please note, this event takes place in-person at The London Archives and is only for people over 18 years old. Advance booking required.

If you are planning to visit us earlier in the day, The London Archives will close as usual at 4.30pm, and reopen for film screening ticket-holders only from 5.45pm.