Tiresome alleged thriller concerns a recently divorced woman (Van Devere) who takes vacant possession of her deceased aunt's stately house in a town where the locals are about as welcoming as a desert sauna. Gradually, a series of unexplained events begins to make Van Devere doubt her commitment to the new location, but her resolve is galvanised by the appearance of a handsome stranger (Gautreaux) who persuades her to stay in spite of the paranormal activity and discouragement of locals, Joseph Cotten in particular.
While there's undeniably moments of suspense and spine-chilling thrills, the momentum is pedestrian and the film is overlong and underwhelming with a disappointing climax. Van Devere is an assured actress and her characterisation is assertive and realistic, acting royalty Joseph Cotten has a supporting role of some purpose as the local attorney making life difficult for her, while giant Med Flory features as the town's redneck sheriff. Before they were better known Perry Lang, Donald Petrie and Christopher MacDonald all appear in early roles as the small-town's hormone-charged young male community.
All the usual haunted house gimmicks are on display, but how many times can a window shatter before it gets old? Perhaps the most interesting aspect of the film is Donald Hotton as the quirky reverend, whose up-beat optimism is against type for his role in the context of this satanic inspired horror film. Suitable for a popcorn night-fright rental (if you're hard up), but not a keeper. There's a scene where Van Devere chides Cotten's obstructiveness "why don't you climb into the back of that hearse of yours and drop dead" my sentiments exactly with regard to this dull picture.
While there's undeniably moments of suspense and spine-chilling thrills, the momentum is pedestrian and the film is overlong and underwhelming with a disappointing climax. Van Devere is an assured actress and her characterisation is assertive and realistic, acting royalty Joseph Cotten has a supporting role of some purpose as the local attorney making life difficult for her, while giant Med Flory features as the town's redneck sheriff. Before they were better known Perry Lang, Donald Petrie and Christopher MacDonald all appear in early roles as the small-town's hormone-charged young male community.
All the usual haunted house gimmicks are on display, but how many times can a window shatter before it gets old? Perhaps the most interesting aspect of the film is Donald Hotton as the quirky reverend, whose up-beat optimism is against type for his role in the context of this satanic inspired horror film. Suitable for a popcorn night-fright rental (if you're hard up), but not a keeper. There's a scene where Van Devere chides Cotten's obstructiveness "why don't you climb into the back of that hearse of yours and drop dead" my sentiments exactly with regard to this dull picture.