Countdown to Halloween: Mommy!!
Posted: October 10th, 2011 | Author: Max Romero | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Halloween, video | 2 Comments »Gah, only a week in and I’ve already missed a day — don’t worry, kids, it’s all downhill from here.
To make up for it, today’s entry will be a double-feature. Unfortunately, both clips will be from terrible, terrible movies. First up is Grizzly, a 1976 movie that was obviously trying to cash in on some of the sweet Jaws ripple while jettisoning all the “plot” and “character” noise. Instead, Grizzly gave everything the title promised, and nothing more — a big-ass bear slashing people like in the woods like a fur-covered Jason at Crystal Lake.
This movie didn’t scar me like other movies from the time did, but it still managed to leave an impression. I had what adults would call an over-active imagination, and I’m sure everything in Grizzly seemed bigger and bloodier and louder than it really was. Otherwise, I can’t see how I could have missed the awful acting, the biggest wooden gate in the world and the multiple deaths-by-bear-hug.
Up next is a film that really did freak me out, even though I really remember only one scene and, a little research uncovered, it was actually a made-for-TV movie. Regardless, even though it kept within the constraints of early-80s television, This House Possessed managed to have plenty of weird to pass around. Starring Parker Stevenson and a bunch of people you’ve never heard of (the notable exceptions being fantastic character actor Barry Corbin and Slim Pickins), the movie tells the story of a house that really isn’t possessed at all. After a lot of confusion, misunderstandings and outright house-on-person killings, it turns out the house is sentient, and thanks to a technology update it’s able to show its affection for Stevenson’s girlfriend by murdering anyone who tries to take her away.
Honestly, that’s all you need to know. The movie is pretty ridiculous but it redeems itself by joyfully pulling out all the stops television Standards and Practices would allow. As I said earlier, there’s only one scene that made a lasting impact, but what an impact it was. Thanks to this, I got into the habit of showering with one eye open for longer than I care to admit. If I think of it even now, I’ll painfully peek through suds just to make sure my water is still just water.
Thanks a lot, Parker Stevenson.
Ahhh, the old shower filled up with blood gag. I remember watching that when I was a kid, too. Or it may have been another movie with a bloody shower. Nothing else looked familiar. But you always remember the bloody shower.
And this one holds up (the rest of the movie, not so much) – I didn’t remember those screams blended in with the music! It’s a scene that’s still effective.
And then Parker Stevenson starts talking.