Early slasher flick and stellar Frankie Avalon vehicle, The Haunted House of Horror (1969, dir. Michael Armstrong), is getting new life this month with the release of a 4K Blu-Ray restoration from Screenbound Pictures. With this restoration, The Haunted House of Horror looks better than ever and is a must-see for mid-century fanatics and horror fiends alike.

Set in 1960s swinging London, The Haunted House of Horror is about a group of twenty-something friends who decide to spice up a boring party by breaking into an old house. Chris (Frankie Avalon) stands out  from his British friends as a slick American. Around Chris is a familiar cast of characters for anyone who has watched a horror film in, say, the last 50 years. There’s party girl Sheila, saucy Sylvia, two-timing Gary, nice girl Dorothy, less-than-desirable Madge, salty Peter, sweet Richard, and some dude named Henry. And, for good measure, Sylvia has a stalker ex-boyfriend in this mix. When one of them gets murdered in the house, the group turns in on itself as it becomes clear that one among them is the killer. The Haunted House of Horror isn’t so much a riff on classic tropes as it is a document of their genesis, making it a must-have addition to any film collection.

Supervised by Armstrong, the restoration of The Haunted House of Horror is nearly flawless and every sequence is crisp. The audio is evenly pitched and, to the advantage of the wild color palette that could only be a product of late ’60s taste, each shot is boldly vivid. I mean, has Frankie Avalon’s turtlenecks ever looked better? And, thanks to the added clarity, you’ll be able to catch all of the bonkers props (can you say velvet Frank Zappa poster?) and set decor that will make you say, “damn, I want those arm-shaped wall sconces.” This Blu-Ray also has tons of added features. Of particular interest are the new interviews with Armstrong and some of the cast in addition to a fresh director’s commentary. This restoration allows us to revisit a classic and catch a little horror history while you’re at it.

Even though the thrills weren’t dished out enough to suit the taste of a modern gore junkie like myself, I still had a blast watching The Haunted House of Horror and you will, too. It’s charming in the way that only a ’60s British film can be, with an aesthetic that certainly doesn’t disappoint. Do yourself a favor and add this restoration of The Haunted House of Horror to your next movie night double- or triple-feature.

The Haunted House of Horror, release date is April 15^th 2019.