What's this? No posts about one of the funniest British comedy/horror films of the 1970s? A perfect cast and a spooky old mansion location combine to give a great film. Frankie Howard is superb in the lead role and delivers his lines with relish.
We demand a DVD release now!!!!!
Dave
I love this movie. I taped this about 12 years on cable while I was at work. I had no idea what the movie was about or anything, the guide had only program titles & lengths - no descriptions. What a pleasant surprise. I'm so glad I taped this because I don't think this has been on TV since.
shareJingleberryJones - If YOu live in the UK like me then BOTH you & I taped this film off of TV on the same night, I read about it in the Radio Times over the Xmas holidays and taped it just like you, it's never been on again as far as I can see as I have always kept an eye out for it as my VHS recording off of TV is getting a bit worn now, fortunately it was recorded off of BBC1 or BBC2 and there are NO advert breaks.
Despite the high cost of living, it remains popular.
Surprised THINP hasn't had a dvd release by now - I'm sure I read somewhere that the director had done a commentary for it a good while ago, possibly with one of the moderators who work with Anchor Bay.
Someone should contact Philip Schofield to see if he can put a good word in for its release as I remember him quoting it as his all time favourite movie when Frankie Howerd was a guest on one of them Saturday morning kids shows in the late 1980's or early 1990's.
"I hope your whip shrivels!"
It's one of those films that you can watch again and again.. one of the better comical spooky house films of the past - it'll get on DVD one day - but the sooner the better :o)
Defer not unto the evening, that which the morning may accomplish.
Watched it when I was a kid too - just stuck in my mind for some reason, managed to tape it off the telly once, even imagined how they could do a sequel after the end credits shot, thats how much I loved it!
Just got the DVD (don't think official though) from a seller on Ebay for £4.99!
The line that always stuck with me, was when Frankie was on the piano & someone asks him "are you going to play it by ear" & he replies, "Nooo, I'm going to play it with my fingers"! Classic, makes me laugh anyway - its a classic case of 50% writing & 50% delivery!
I love this one, too. Taped it off the TV years ago and have watched it a few times since. My favourite bits are the creepy little song/'dance' routine done by the Hendersons - Howerd's reactions are classic...also the bit where Twelvetrees (Howerd) goes down to breakfast and is thwarted in his attempts to grab some food by the greedy little man who gets there first...except for one egg ! Top class, and an extra-packed DVD release would be great.
My taped copy is past its best but I did manage to pick a DVD copy up off Ebay..watchable quality and hopefully a bit more robust.
AndyG
Yup, those are two funny parts of the movie. I love how there isn't much to the whole plot of this movie, but there's a lighthearted "not taking itself" so serious vibe about the whole thing. Frankie Howerd & Ray Milland were both great in this movie.
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