UK, 1969
91m 35s, 8,242 ft
35mm film, colour
mono (Westrex Recording System), English
A British horror film directed by Michael Armstrong.
Plot Summary
A group of teenagers fleeing a boring party go to an abandoned an old house where they are stalked by a serial killer.
Credits
Crew
Directed by: Michael Armstrong
© MCMLXIX [1969] Tigon British Film Productions Limited
Tigon presents. A Tigon British-American International production
Produced by: Tony Tenser
Production Manager: George Mills
Screenplay by: Michael Armstrong
Additional Material by: Peter Marcus [real name: Gerry Levy]
Assistant Directors: Nick Caris Carter, Michael McKeag
Continuity: Lorna Selwyn
Director of Photography: Jack Atchelor [real name: Jack Atcheler]
Camera Operators: Jimmy Devis [real name: James Devis], Alan Boast
2nd Unit Cameraman: Peter Hendry
Editor: Peter Pitt
Processed by: Rank Laboratories, Denham
Music Composed and Conducted by: Reg Tilsley
[Song] “Responsibility” Words and Music by: Peter Marcus [real name: Gerry Levy]
Sound Mixer: Alan Kane
Dubbing Editor: Howard Lanning
Wardrobe: Kathleen Moore, Hilda Geerdts
Make-Up: Cliff Sharp
Hairdressers: Carole Becket, Ross Carver
Wigs and Hairpieces Supplied by: The House of Carmen
Art Director: Haydon Pearce [real name: Hayden Pearce]
Filmed on location by Tigon British Film Productions Ltd. London, England
Cast
Frankie Avalon (Chris)
Jill Haworth (Sheila)
Dennis Price (inspector)
George Sewell (Kellett)
Gina Warwick (Sylvia)
Richard O’Sullivan (Peter)
Carol Dilworth (Dorothy)
Julian Barnes (Richard)
Veronica Doran (Madge)
Robin Stewart (Henry)
Jan Holden (Peggy)
Clifford Earl (police sergeant)
Robert Raglan (Bradley)
Mark Wynter (Gary)
Alternative Titles
Extracts included in
Fantastic Fantasy Fright-o-Rama Show Vol. 1 (1996)
Grindhouse Universe (2008)
Trailer Trauma 2: Drive-In Monsterama (2016)
Links
Ta 4 keria tou thanatou – Greece
Abominator – France (video)
Il buio – Italy
Casa maldita – Spain (television)
Crímenes en la oscuridad – Spain
Crimes na Escuridão – Portugal
O dolofonos fovotan to skotadi – Greece (re-release)
Gänsehaut – West Germany
Gåsehud – Denmark
Horror House – USA
La maison de l’épouvante – France
Ook spoken plegen moorden – Netherlands
Skräckens hus – Sweden (video)
The Dark – working title
Дом ужасов – Russia
Press
Monthly Film Bulletin vol.36 no.431 (December 1969) pp.266-267
There is never more than a slight suggestion of the supernatural in this quasi-macabre story, which strains credulity even for a thriller and is elongated to breaking point. Equally weak is the largely indifferent acting from most of the cast, including the best known members: Frankie Avalon seems casual and desultory to the point of indifferences and Dennis Price’s performance is curiously stiff. The shock sequences are reasonably well contrived and there is a liberal flow of blood, but this haunted house is more likely to induce sleep than nightmare.
The Hollywood Reporter vol.210 no.38 (16 April 1970) pp.3, 4
Performances are routine with frightened and worried expressions, a few well-placed, blood-curdling screams and appropriate shots of the blade moving through the corridors of the house, swinging madly at its victims. Photography by Jack Atchelor and Reg Tilsley’s music are responsible for much of the suspense. – John Goff
References
Periodicals
- Castle of Frankenstein no.14 p.7
- Castle of Frankenstein no.16 p.60
- Empire no.189 (March 2005) p.146 – illustrated DVD review (RWD: The Tigon Collection by Justin Bowyer)
- Hollywood Reporter vol.210 no.38 (16 April 1970) pp.3, 4 – review (by John Goff)
- Kine Weekly no.3239 (8 November 1969) p.17 – review
- Monthly Film Bulletin vol.36 no.431 (December 1969) pp.266-267 – credits, synopsis, review
- Today’s Cinema 8 November 1969 p.17 – review
- Today’s Cinema no.9749 (14 November 1969) p.6 – review
- Variety 29 April 1970 p.18 – review (by Rick)
Books
- American International Pictures: A Comprehensive Filmography by Rob Craig p.195
- American International Pictures: A Filmography by Robert L. Ottoson pp.193-194
- The Aurum Film Encyclopedia: Horror by Phil Hardy (ed.) p.205-206
- Faster and Furiouser: The Revised and Fattened Fable of American International Pictures by Mark Thomas McGee p.312
- British Gothic Cinema by Barry Forshaw pp.94, 95, 150
- English Gothic: A Century of Horror Cinema by Jonathan Rigby pp.179, 223
- Feature Films, 1960-1969: A Filmography of English-language and Major Foreign-language United States Releases by Harris M. Lentz III p.202
- Fright Night on Channel 9 by James Arena pp.175
- Kine & TV Year Book 1971 p.110
- Looking for a New England: Action, Time, Vision: Music, Film and TV 1975-1986 by Simon Matthews pp.40, 68
- Psychedelic Celluloid: British Pop Music in Film and TV 1965-1974 by Simon Matthews p.153-154 – illustrated article (Hammer: The Pop Years)
- Reference Guide to Fantastic Films by Walt Lee p.200
- Rock ‘n’ Roll Monsters: The American International Story by Bruce G. Hallenbeck pp.230-232; 292
- Uneasy Dreams: The Golden Age of British Horror Films, 1956-1976 by Gary A. Smith pp.121-122
