[1] The opening title art was drawn by legendary macabre cartoonist Charles Addams,[2] whose signature is painted by a hairy hand.

Tom is invited to stay at the house by members of Casper's family, including his twin brother Jasper, his cousins, the demure young Cecily and the seductive Morgana, and his Uncle Potiphar, who has been building an ark in anticipation of another great flood.

Each of the relatives is required to return to the dilapidated mansion before midnight each evening or forfeit his share of the family fortune.

Tom stumbles upon the fact that the killer is a woman, and he suspects Morgana, but discovers that Cecily is guilty just before she confesses, explaining that she wanted the entire family estate.

The original disc was later reissued as a DVD-R burn-on demand release from Sony Pictures Choice Collection.

The film has also been released on DVD in Spain, retitled La vieja casa oscura, both separately and as part of a William Castle box set.