Sometimes in the horror genre’s history you’ll find a film that has an interesting backstory concerning its true date of release, this is one of those movies. The classification according to IMDb it was released in 1974, but in true reality it was unleashed in December 1973, which is proved by two different sources first the copyright at the end of the credits and The Charlotte Observer, from North Carolina, dated Tuesday December 11, an advertisement found on page 19. Now, per the site owner of The Horror Times we can’t repost a copy of the ad, because back in the seventies the newspapers allowed ads for the adult movie theaters. Nevertheless, here is a link to the advertisement: https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer/86423068/
Faith Domergue.
Independent filmmakers know their life may be filled will heartache, headaches and financial struggles often needed them to keep a day job as they strive for feature film success, well Paul Harrison spent a career in various positions inside the television realm and then took a chance on one sole credit outside of his normal everyday life. While this slow burn film was not a box office smash, it became and odd 1970s chiller cult flick, which still garnishes a small bit of attention, and the few times the film becomes available for release with Severin Films and sells out quickly. It made its way from the drive-ins across America to VHS to DVD to finally Blu-ray, though perhaps memorable there was something that attracted eyeballs to the film, either John Carradine’s appearance for the b-movie fan base or its creepy opening score. Paul also penned the script with the help of Thomas J. Kelly and contains a nuance in the storyline that others have used, dating back to How to Make a Monster [1958] to Madhouse [1974] with Vincent Price but it was the slasher subgenre that really took hold of the concept with such films as Return to Horror High [1982], Cut [2000], Scream [2000], and X [2022].
Charles Macaulay and Carole-Wells
Director Eric Hartman (John Ireland (Terror Night [1989]) and his trusted small film crew arrived at an old spooky mansion destined to live up to its reputation thanks to the misguided steps of desire for authenticity. He is there to recreate the seven mysterious and violent deaths of the Beal family who passed away in multiple ways which include an accident, murder, and suicide. The audience opens to a satanic ritual reenactment by Gayle Dorian (Faith Domerque (It Came from Beneath the Sea [1955])), but is all part a larger scene for Eric’s occult horror film, which is interrupted by the creepy caretaker Edgar Price (John Carradine (The Howling [1981])) who tells stories about how the real deaths occurred, repeatedly that’s not how it happened, a curious utterance that makes one wonder what does one know and how. A mystery that goes unanswered. Mr. Price (a clear loving nod to Vincent Price as it also noted in the film itself) gives them a tour of the house is given and we have a brief introduction to the cast, including Gayle’s cat Leon who freaks out at a satanic cat painting. By the next day one witnesses behind the scenes actions that occur on films, from readying cameras, sound even makeup artist Ron (Ron Foreman (Firestarter [1984]), being told to cover aging lines on one’s faces. Just curious to see how everyone is doing their preparations to make movie magic. Gayle and Anne (Carol Welles) begin to recite a demonic chant from The Tibetan Book of the Dead which David (Jerry Strickler) found earlier inside the house of horrors, stack near other books of the Black Rites and Witchcraft. One must not forgot the actor Christopher Millan (Charles Macauley) who gives his lines that extra flourish, when not on set performing. It is nice to watch Eric balancing the stress of filming schedules and trying actors’ temperatures of complaints and improper acting, as if his film were more than mere horror flick. Soon enough just one Zombie is resurrected and begins his own method of killing all on the dreaded site and generating a very weird conclusion that only leads to more questions, but suggests taking one’s meal not only the go but back home.
Hartman likely took influence for his movie from four different subgenres in the horror spectrum, first, the vibe of 70s occult themed films and mixed it with undead, then incorporated a hint of haunting atmospheric and a dash of slasher for all the different modes used to inflict death upon the cast and crew. The film is often mistaken as her last role which it is not especially if one uses the correct release date, Domergue gave a convincing sympathetic performance while hinting to a previous sorted relationship with the director, which was only outshined by Ireland and Carradine, while John’s usage is limited it’s still wonderful to see how he chews scenery and captures all the attention. Hartmann took full advantage of his location, which was later the Utah Governor’s Mansion in Salt Lake City, he made great strides with the building’s appearance and the ability to cast creepy long shadows. Oh, for the curious, the name of the original family that met a disastrous end of their lives does has an occult linkage, Beal is another name for Beherit, a commanding demon, although, sadly the film doesn’t exploit this item, perhaps because the writer was unaware, the background of this demon is fascinating though.
John Carradine
First, the movie is not scary or gory, it’s a fairly bland storyline, yet still has an odd following, perhaps due to the spooky score and solid opening that outshines the rest of film, sadly. While it lacks any original concepts the locations do work to keep the viewer’s attention, if just barely. Therefore, as to where in the film holds itself in the genre, that’s tough to answer, clearly it is has plot holes, and feels at times the story is forcefully meshed together, but still it can hold an enduring spot with indie filmmakers of nowadays who struggle to create their own art. It Is worth a onetime late-night viewing, especially if you enjoy John Carradine films.
TAGLINE: Eight graves! Seven bodies! One killer… and he’s already dead.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0071627/
IMDb Rating: 4.2/10
Baron’s Rating: 4.0/10