i would be incline to think hitchcock make this corny film deliberately tongue in cheek if he have not all but disown it in interview comment . cheesy fx uneven performance but fine gothic atmosphere and some great moment . take a it come it be an enjoyable adventure a la treasure island except that robert newton play the handsome hero . of course laughton be over the top a others have say but if you like laughton you should see this film for his performance alone . emlyn williams also play a delightfully sinister and menace character i mistake him at first for robert newton ( be prejudice by the latter subsequent typecasting ) . make sure you get the more recent kino video release ( vhs or dvd ) there be an early vhs version that be all but unwatchable .