Is it possible to scare lots of people with a simple TV Movie?
Don't Be Afraid of the Dark was, you guessed it, a TV Movie from 1973. It was made as part of a TV Movie Series for ABC.
Back before VHS, DVD and later Streaming, Movies of the Week were a big deal. Think of them like Netflix Originals, but for the bunny ears on TVs Generation.
The Plot involves a young Couple who move into a House and the Wife is drawn to a bricked up fireplace. This didn't end well for the Amityville bunch, but will it here?
She eventually learns that something was living down there and now its free. As a liberated '70s woman, however, everyone thinks that she's just nuts!
Can she solve the mystery and save, well, herself?
To find out, read on...
A young couple settle on an old House to live in while the Husband works towards a promotion.
Something about this locked room with a bricked off fireplace draws the Wife to it.
The Handyman tells her to leave things alone and that it is impossible to mess with it.
These two facts seem contradictory.
He also doesn't just explain things, so the Movie can happen.
The Movie happens, naturally, and she does open the fireplace.
After she leaves, we see a green glow and strange voices talking.
Weird stuff happens around the House, but only around her.
Her Husband thinks that she's just stressed and imagining things.
'70s Husbands were the worst!
As it turns out, she was right.
There are weird little...whatever they are that escaped.
They want her. But why?!?
They plan to go after her while the Husband is away meeting with a client.
It also seems that the creatures change sizes as they were last seen the size of a switchblade. The next time, they are as tall as trash cans.
The Wife and her Friend are at the House while he's still away.
They take the power out and put some sleeping pills (given to her by a Doctor) in the lady's coffee.
The friend gets locked outside- these guys are fast as hell!- while the Husband leaves to get the information from the Handyman.
The House was built in the 19th Century and the Man who owned it was dragged down the fireplace hole, hence it being boarded up.
Can they get there in time to save the Wife as she's being dragged away by the creatures?
Nope- it's the '70s.
People were really bleak then.
Sorry- I hope you have better luck in the Remake.
A strong, tightly focused tale of terror (with a few silly details).
It should be noted that this one was fast-tracked into Production on account of a looming Writer's Strike. It was done in just two weeks.
With that in mind, the final product is still pretty darn good.
The Plot works, making you empathize with this poor woman that nobody believes.
The main issue- the creatures.
They look odd and creepy- no question.
The look of them aside, they change in scale, their mouths don't move and we don't really know why they are doing what they are doing.
If you can accept how strange and kind of silly the creatures are, you can have a good, frightful time!
Next up, I check out a Horror Comedy that I've been putting off for ages. If you like Wolves, you're in luck, right? Stay tuned...
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