Thursday, March 2, 2006

The Legend of Hell House (1973)


The Legend of Hell House was a spooky haunted house movie made in England ... a scientist is hired by a rich old eccentric to take a team into hell house and discover its secrets. Along with the scientist comes his wife, a psychic, and the lone survivor of the previous expedition to the mansion. The four set up shop and the lone survivor, whose name is Fischer, explains why the house is so evil - "Drug addiction, alcoholism, sadism, bestiality, mutilation, murder, vampirism, necrophilia, cannibalism, not to mention a gamut of sexual goodies. Shall I go on?" Hehe...I love the sexual goodies bit - especially since he says it in a British accent!

Anywho, seems as tho the owner, Belasco, was one big sicko! The women begin to be possessed by the spirits in the house - Lionel's (the scientist) wife makes a coupla passes at Fischer after reading some erotica the house offered. The psychic, Florence, has a coupla close encounters with Belasco's ghost (who she believes to be his tortured son) and ends up having sex with him to show him he is loved. Sex with a ghost?! How is that even possible?! Nonetheless, it's still pretty awesome, cuz it's just not something you see every day!

As in all horror movies, sex is a big no-no (especially with an evil ghost!) and Florence ends up being possessed by Belasco. Meanwhile, Lionel's wife is not herself either, but some super-horny vixen! Instead of taking advantage of this, the scientist decides he needs to get rid of all the energy (i.e. ghosts) in the house, so he brings in a big machine that should reverse something or other and BASICALLY blow all the ghosts/energy/spirits/etc. to kingdom come.

Well now the house couldn't be having any of that...basically saying, "this is my house, bitch!" as it continues to kick all their asses. Did anyone survive? You'll just have to watch to find out...

I really enjoyed this movie and loved its great atmosphere, stunning cinematography, good suspense - I also have such a girl crush on Pamela Franklin, who plays Florence the psychic. She is just soooo adorable!! I found out she was also the little girl Flora in The Innocents, another great haunted house movie (I think The Others ripped it off, even tho I adore The Others).

Nevertheless, The Legend of Hell House ranks high on my list of favorite haunted house movies and if you haven't seen it (for shame!) go hightail it to your nearest Netflix queue and move it to #1 or just buy it on Amazon!

Originally written for Fatally-Yours.com.

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