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IMDb > Let's Scare Jessica to Death (1971)

Let's Scare Jessica to Death (1971) More at IMDbPro »

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Overview

User Rating:
6.5/10   1,688 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 4% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers:
John D. Hancock (writer)
Lee Kalcheim (writer)
(more)
Contact:
View company contact information for Let's Scare Jessica to Death on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
6 August 1971 (USA) more
Genre:
Tagline:
Something is after Jessica. Something very cold, very wet... and very dead... more
Plot:
A recently institutionalized woman has bizarre experiences after moving into a supposedly haunted country farmhouse and fears she may be losing her sanity once again. full summary | full synopsis
User Reviews:
one of the best early 70's horror flicks more (99 total)

Cast

  (in credits order) (verified as complete)
Zohra Lampert ... Jessica
Barton Heyman ... Duncan
Kevin O'Connor ... Woody
Gretchen Corbett ... The Girl
Alan Manson ... Sam Dorker
Mariclare Costello ... Emily
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Directed by
John D. Hancock  (as John Hancock)
 
Writing credits
(in alphabetical order)
John D. Hancock  writer (as Ralph Rose)
Lee Kalcheim  writer (as Norman Jonas)
Sheridan Le Fanu  story "Carmilla" (uncredited)

Produced by
Bill Badalato .... co-producer (as William Badalato)
Charles B. Moss Jr. .... producer
 
Original Music by
Orville Stoeber 
 
Cinematography by
Robert M. Baldwin  (as Bob Baldwin)
 
Film Editing by
Murray Solomon 
 
Set Decoration by
Norman Kenneson 
 
Costume Design by
Mariette Pinchart 
 
Makeup Department
Irvin Carlton .... makeup artist
 
Sound Department
Joe Ryan .... sound
Scott Warren .... boom operator
 
Camera and Electrical Department
Sal Guida .... assistant camera
Mel Noped .... grip (as Melvin D. Noped)
Myron Odegaard .... gaffer (as Myron Odeguard)
 
Editorial Department
Virginia Katz .... assistant editor (as Ginny Katz)
 
Music Department
Walter E. Sear .... composer: electronic music (as Walter Sear)
 
Other crew
Randa Haines .... continuity
Joanne Michels .... production assistant
Barbara Reynolds .... production assistant
Judith Spangler .... assistant to producer
 

Production CompaniesDistributors
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Additional Details

Also Known As:
The Secret Beneath the Lake (Canada: English title) (promotional title)
What Killed Sam Dorker? (USA) (working title)
more
MPAA:
Rated PG-13 for terror/violence and some sensuality.
Runtime:
89 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
One of Stephen King's favorite horror films. more
Goofs:
Crew or equipment visible: (At 15:00) When Emily sings in the kitchen the knee of a crew member can clearly be seen in the left corner of the screen. more
Quotes:
Jessica: I sit here and I can't believe that it happened. And yet I have to believe it. Dreams or nightmares? Madness or sanity? I don't know which is which. more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in Rate It X (1986) more

FAQ

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10 out of 12 people found the following review useful.
one of the best early 70's horror flicks, 28 August 2006
9/10
Author: TheatreX from Louisville, KY

I'm so glad to finally have this little gem on DVD. This has been one of my favorite films for years and it's a rather haunting little tale of a man, his wife, and a friend, that give up city living to go to a country house, which of course, has an unsavory past. Jessica (Zohra Lampert) was released from a mental hospital a while back and Duncan (Barton Heyman), her husband, is very protective and watchful of her condition, sometimes too much so. When these folks arrive at their new house (in a hearse, no less), they find that they have a squatter, Emily, who they first are going to ask to leave but then ask her to stay. Maybe that wasn't such a good idea. When collecting antiques from the barn, attic, etc., to take to sell, Jessica finds a picture of the family that used to live there, that had a daughter who drowned in the cove by their house in the 1800's, and whose body was never found, and who is said to wander the area as a vampire. Maybe this explains all the bandaged people that live in town? Maybe...anyway as time goes by and situations get weird, Jessica is not sure what's real and what's not anymore, and hubby is getting VERY worried. But at some point the viewer isn't sure what's real and what's not either. This is creepy, eerie, and well done, and is a very worthwhile little horror gem. See it, 9 out of 10.

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