Once again, as I’ve done almost every October, I’m pleased to feature one of the memorable made-for-TV movies from the 1970s that make perfect Halloween viewing.
From an abundant field of choices, I’ve selected one that is largely free from the traditional horror trappings – monsters (at least not the supernatural kind), gore, jump scares – but make no mistake, this is a story where the horror is all too real.
From 1978, “Are You in the House Alone?” opens in traditional scary movie fashion: It’s nighttime on a quiet street, as the camera slowly tilts toward the front door of a pleasant looking home.
Inside, a teenage girl, Gail Osborne (Kathleen Beller), lies on the floor, her face bloodied, having just been sexually assaulted. She’s taken to the hospital but at first refuses to name her attacker.
We then flash back a few months to a carefree summer at a lake house, where Gail and her best friend Alison (Robin Mattson) prepare for a double date: Alison with long-time boyfriend Phil (Dennis Quaid), and Gail being paired for the first time with Steve (Scott Colomby). For Gail and Steve it’s high school love at first sight, much to the chagrin of Gail’s overprotective mother (Blythe Danner)
Soon after, Gail starts receiving creepy phone calls, and finding threatening notes stuffed into her school locker.
Who is stalking her? Is it new boyfriend Steve? Her ex-boyfriend? Her vaguely creepy photography teacher? Or could it be someone else?
Of course I’m not going to tell you. But I will say that the reveal is not the end of the story.
As I wrote in previous pieces like this, what makes these movies interesting is how they manage to frighten an audience without the graphic blood and guts mayhem employed by most contemporary horror movies. Through creative filmmaking technique and effective performances, they managed to comply with broadcast standards that placed strict limits on violence and became triumphs of artistry over explicit content. Here the long, slow POV shots of the unknown stalker effectively ratchet up the tension, as Gail grows ever more terrified and suspicious of everyone around her.
Of course I’m not going to tell you. But I will say that the reveal is not the end of the story.
As I wrote in previous pieces like this, what makes these movies interesting is how they manage to frighten an audience without the graphic blood and guts mayhem employed by most contemporary horror movies. Through creative filmmaking technique and effective performances, they managed to comply with broadcast standards that placed strict limits on violence and became triumphs of artistry over explicit content. Here the long, slow POV shots of the unknown stalker effectively ratchet up the tension, as Gail grows ever more terrified and suspicious of everyone around her.
Doe-eyed Kathleen Beller is well-cast here as someone’s sick obsession – so much so that for a time she became the go-to girl for young girls in danger. You could fill an entire weekend watching Beller be terrorized in TV movies like this one, “No Place to Hide” and “Deadly Messages.” And if you watched Dynasty, you know her luck didn’t improve when she was cast as Kirby, daughter of the Carrington majordomo.
I’m sure most classic TV fans recognized the other names already cited: Scott Colomby played high school students for more than ten years; Robin Mattson would soon become a soap icon as Heather Webber on General Hospital. Dennis Quaid was a year away from movie stardom in Breaking Away and The Long Riders.
I’m sure most classic TV fans recognized the other names already cited: Scott Colomby played high school students for more than ten years; Robin Mattson would soon become a soap icon as Heather Webber on General Hospital. Dennis Quaid was a year away from movie stardom in Breaking Away and The Long Riders.
Looking back it’s amazing how many original movies debuted on television almost every night in the 1970s. They were not all great, but the ratio of hits to misses is far more favorable than what winds up in theaters these days.
One source claimed this movie was the inspiration for the “Scream” series of slasher films. I’m not sure that’s true but there are obvious narrative similarities. The difference is that Scream was a slasher film with a tongue-in-cheek self-awareness that offset its gory violence. "Are You in The House Alone" doesn’t have a body count, and viewers will realize that perhaps the more horrific part of its story happens after Gail is attacked.
One source claimed this movie was the inspiration for the “Scream” series of slasher films. I’m not sure that’s true but there are obvious narrative similarities. The difference is that Scream was a slasher film with a tongue-in-cheek self-awareness that offset its gory violence. "Are You in The House Alone" doesn’t have a body count, and viewers will realize that perhaps the more horrific part of its story happens after Gail is attacked.
"Are You in The House Alone" is available now on the MGM+ streaming service. If the phone rings while you’re watching it, don’t panic.
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