DAN CURTIS

Bil’s rating (out of 5):  BB.5

USA/Italy, 1976.  Produzioni Europee Associate, Dan Curtis Productions.  Screenplay by William F. Nolan, Dan Curtis, based on the novel by Robert Marasco.  Cinematography by Jacques R. Marquette.  Produced by Dan Curtis.  Music by Bob Cobert.  Production Design by Eugène Lourié.  Costume Design by Ann Roth.  Film Editing by Dennis Virkler.  

An average California family, headed by Karen Black and Oliver Reed, take a summer home in the country that turns out to be haunted. At first, things like Reed being taken over by a spirit that wants to harm his son seem like freak occurrences, but it soon becomes apparent that the house has a personality that is determined to get rid of strangers.

Good performances, especially by Black, whose mood turns on a dime without the slightest show of effort, but the climax the film builds up to isn’t particularly interesting and the whole thing just isn’t scary enough.

Features a terrific supporting performance by Bette Davis as the youthful old aunt with the biting wit.