Don't Be Afraid of the Dark (1973) (TV)

Director:

John Newland

Writer:

Nigel McKeand (writer)

Release Date:

10 October 1973 (USA)

Genre:

Horror

Tagline:

Can you see them, Sally ... hiding in the shadows. They're alive, Sally. They want you to be one of them when the lights go out.

Plot:

A young couple inherits an old mansion inhabited by small demon-like creatures who are determined to make the wife one of their own.

Plot Keywords:

Demon | Rope | Couple | Fireplace | Locked Room

Cast

Kim Darby	...	Sally Farnham
Jim Hutton	...	Alex Farnham
Barbara Anderson	...	Joan Kahn
William Demarest	...	Mr. Harris
Pedro Armendáriz Jr.	...	Francisco Perez
Lesley Woods	...	Ethyl
Robert Cleaves	...	Doctor
Sterling Swanson	...	Policeman
Joel Lawrence	...	George Kahn (as J.H. Lawrence)
William Sylvester	...	Tom Henderson
Don Mallon	...	Bob
Celia Kaye	...	Anne
Elizabeth St. Clair	...	Party Guest
Monika Henreid	...	Party Guest (as Monica Henreid)
Robert Priest	...	Party Guest

Also Known As:

Nightmare (Europe: English title) (video box title)

Runtime:

74 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Iceland:16 | Norway:15 (video premiere) | USA:Unrated

Company:

Lorimar Productions

Trivia:

The total time of filming, including script approval by Lorimar, casting, special effects, voice-over and exterior shots were all completed in slightly over two weeks, one of the quickest made-for-television movies ever made; this was due mainly to a writers strike that had begun just before the script was completed.

Quotes:

Creatures: [closing lines] When will they come? When will they come? When will they come and set us free?
Sally Farnham: Of course they will come. You know they will.
Creatures: But when? When? When?
Sally Farnham: Soon. Very soon. We've lots of time. Lots of time. All the time in the world.
Creatures: All the time in the world . Time. Time. Time to set us free again.
Sally Farnham: All the time in the world.
Creatures: To set us free. Set us free. Set us free in the world. Free. Free. Free in the world. Set us free!
[Maniacal laughter]

Movie Connections:

Remade as Don't Be Afraid of the Dark (2011)

Are you afraid?

Seen when I was very young, this "made for TV" movie became the vehicle which drove all my fears. Once irrational, those fears were validated one unforgettable night. Before that night, during bedtime, it was only instinct that pleaded with my mom to leave the hall light on. After seeing this movie, I had a REASON....an IMAGE....and the creepiest soundtrack to hope that she NEVER turn it off! This movie plays right into those dark corners(you know the ones i'm talking about). Why we don't just reach under the bed without looking first. Why, as we lay awake, closet doors need to be constantly observed... just in case! I was eight years old, and truly ripe for the scare of my life!

The movie begins with a cats meow and haunting music. The score of this movie is absolutely penetrating and perfect. This is not an overstatement. I can think of very few I would call it's equal. This music accompanies Sally (Kim Darby from True Grit) as she unwittingly, and unknowingly, sets free demons from a bricked up fireplace. They set about, slipping through the dark corners (and there's plenty of them), searching to get Sally's soul. As frightening events start to mount up, and with no support from her workaholic husband, Sally begins to doubt her sanity.

Darby has a quiet demeanor that lends itself to her rising panic. When the "creatures" do finally appear, they seem to have come straight from a casting call from hell. That...or a jar of raisins. The ending is absolutely unforgettable. "Dark" made quite an impact for it's time.

I am now 40. Don't like to have ANY lights on when I sleep. Can watch this film, or any other horror flick without strategically placing a body part to obscure the view. However, a few slight noises.....a scratch or a whisper, and my defenses still go up. The blanket is always on the ready. All because of a few film makers decided to take "TV movies" seriously. I thank them....I think.