The Shuttered Room (1967) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

An inheritance draws a couple into a cursed mill where local violence awakens a hidden horror connected to a troubled childhood.

Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases

Inheritance from the Past

Susannah learns that her real parents have died and left her property. She and her husband travel from the city to Dunwich to inspect it.

Key Events

• Foster-Care Childhood — Susannah was raised in foster care in the city. Location: The city
• News of Her Parents — Susannah learns that her real parents have died. Location: The city
• Inherited Property — Her deceased parents leave property to Susannah. Location: The city
• Journey to Dunwich — Susannah and her husband travel to Dunwich to inspect the inheritance. Location: Off the Massachusetts coast
• Dunwich Island — The inherited property is located on the island of Dunwich. Location: Dunwich island

Warnings on Dunwich Island

The couple encounter a clannish local culture and make only a few local friends. Aunt Agatha warns them that the family mill is cursed and urges them to leave.

Key Events

• Hostile Local Culture — The couple encounter a clannish, backward, and ignorant local culture. Location: Dunwich island
• Local Friendships — The couple make a few friends among the local people, including Aunt Agatha. Characters: Aunt Agatha Location: Dunwich island
• Agatha's Warning — Aunt Agatha warns the couple about the family mill. Characters: Aunt Agatha Location: Dunwich island
• The Family Mill — The inherited mill is described as cursed by local people. Characters: Aunt Agatha Location: The abandoned family mill
• Demand to Leave — Agatha urges the couple to leave immediately and never look back. Characters: Aunt Agatha Location: The family mill

Defiance at the Mill

The couple reject the local superstition and consider rebuilding the abandoned mill. Their decision makes them targets of local thugs.

Key Events

• Rejection of Superstition — The couple refuse to bow to the warnings and local superstition. Location: The family mill
• Rebuilding Plans — The couple consider rebuilding the abandoned mill. Location: The abandoned family mill
• Local Gang Appears — A gang of local thugs begins targeting the couple. Characters: Ethan Location: Dunwich island
• Ethan Leads the Thugs — Ethan, described as Susannah's lecherous cousin, leads the local thugs. Characters: Ethan Location: Dunwich island

The Attic Answers

Ethan leads a gang that subjects the couple to a reign of terror. Something still living in the shuttered attic, linked to Susannah's childhood nightmares, ends the violence.

Key Events

• Reign of Terror — Ethan's gang imposes a reign of terror around the couple and the mill. Characters: Ethan Location: The family mill
• The Shuttered Attic — Something still living is hidden in the mill's shuttered attic room. Location: The shuttered attic room
• Childhood Nightmares — The living presence is connected to Susannah's childhood nightmares. Location: The shuttered attic room
• Terror Overturned — The force in the shuttered attic ends the thugs' reign of terror. Characters: Ethan Location: The family mill
• The Mill's Hidden Horror — The hidden presence becomes the decisive threat within the mill. Characters: Ethan Location: The shuttered attic room
• The Threat's Consequence — The supernatural presence brings the local gang's terror to an end. Characters: Ethan Location: The family mill

Story Breakdown

• City Origins — Susannah's foster-care background and family loss establish the story's personal mystery.
  • Foster-Care Childhood — Susannah was raised in foster care in the city.
  • Parents' Deaths — She learns that her real parents have died.
• Unexpected Inheritance — The property left by Susannah's parents gives the couple a reason to travel.
  • Property Bequest — Her parents leave property to her.
  • Journey to Dunwich — The couple travel to the island to inspect the property.
• Island Isolation — Dunwich presents a closed local society that makes the newcomers feel unwelcome.
  • Clannish Community — The local culture is described as clannish, backward, and ignorant.
  • Few Local Friends — The couple make only a few friends among the locals.
• Agatha's Warning — Aunt Agatha connects the family property with a dangerous curse.
  • Cursed Mill — The family mill is said to be cursed.
  • Demand to Leave — Agatha urges the couple to leave immediately and never look back.
• Defiance and Ambition — The couple reject superstition and contemplate restoring the abandoned property.
  • Rejecting Superstition — They refuse to bow to the local warnings.
  • Rebuilding the Mill — They consider rebuilding the abandoned mill.
• Ethan's Gang — Local violence turns the couple's restoration plans into a direct confrontation.
  • Thug Targeting — A gang of local thugs targets the couple.
  • Lecherous Cousin — Ethan is identified as the gang's leader and Susannah's cousin.
• The Hidden Attic — The mill's sealed upper room contains a living presence tied to Susannah's nightmares.
  • Living Presence — Something still living is hidden in the shuttered attic room.
  • Childhood Nightmares — The presence caused Susannah to have nightmares as a child.
• Terror's End — The supernatural force in the attic overturns the gang's reign of terror.
  • Gang Overwhelmed — The hidden presence ends the local thugs' reign of terror.
  • Mill's Final Threat — The shuttered attic becomes the decisive source of danger.

Directed by

David Greene

Key Cast

• Gig Young — Mike Kelton
• Carol Lynley — Susannah Whately Kelton / Sarah
• Oliver Reed — Ethan
• Flora Robson — Aunt Agatha
• Judith Arthy — Emma