I had this movie for a long time in a Betamax tape bought by my father just after buying our first color TV (a Sony KV-2142R) and Betamax (Sony SL-8600) back in mid 1978. Dubbed to Spanish and re-titled "La Casa Embrujada" ("The Haunted House"), I consider it a promising movie with a really bad ending, but anyway I'd love to have that Spanish-dubbed version just for memories from when I was eleven. It was recorded from a Panamanian TV broadcast, commercials included. I used it a lot (specially Dr. Gillgreen's face) to adjust the TV's hue and color settings, at a time in which color TV broadcasts hadn't arrived to my country (Color TV was officially launched in Colombia on Saturday Dec. 1, 1979 at 7:00 PM GMT -5). The only worry in life back then was school...
19 Reviews
Not forgotten; a curious night movie
analoguebubblebath8 April 2001
I've seen "The Strange and Deadly Occurence" twice in my life; in 1983 and 1985. Both showings were late-night on a Friday and regrettably we did not own a VCR at the time.
It's quite an eerie film with a good build-up of suspense which unfortunately concludes rather ridiculously. A lot of those TVMs now languish in scheduling purgatory which is a pity. Some enterprising individual should release a bunch of them on VHS (some films just don't suit DVD)--e.g "Vanishing Act" with Elliott Gould and "One Of My Wives Is Missing" starring Jack Klugman.
If anyone has any of the above on VHS please mail me.
In summary then: Some parallels with "Caddyshack"
It's quite an eerie film with a good build-up of suspense which unfortunately concludes rather ridiculously. A lot of those TVMs now languish in scheduling purgatory which is a pity. Some enterprising individual should release a bunch of them on VHS (some films just don't suit DVD)--e.g "Vanishing Act" with Elliott Gould and "One Of My Wives Is Missing" starring Jack Klugman.
If anyone has any of the above on VHS please mail me.
In summary then: Some parallels with "Caddyshack"
Nostalgic and suspenseful Seventies mystery movie
SusieSalmonLikeTheFish30 January 2015
Warning: Spoilers
If you watched TV in the 1970's or even if you've been browsing youtube recently, you may have come across this little movie. It follows a family who move into a rural home with a pool and horse stables and it seems like a dream... soon though, odd events begin to happen. At first it's just harmless antics, but when a man is strangled to death and found floating in the swimming pool, the family knows they're in trouble.
This movie has a lot of suspense, eerie soundtrack and good acting, everything a good TV movie mystery needs. It has the nostalgia of the 1970's too, something that the Lifetime mysteries on TV today don't have at all. If you ever come across The Strange and Deadly Occurrence, make sure to watch it, especially if you're into mystery or horror.
This movie has a lot of suspense, eerie soundtrack and good acting, everything a good TV movie mystery needs. It has the nostalgia of the 1970's too, something that the Lifetime mysteries on TV today don't have at all. If you ever come across The Strange and Deadly Occurrence, make sure to watch it, especially if you're into mystery or horror.
Haunted House plot holds up nicely
telepinus152518 November 2004
You bet, I remember this one. As a young lad back in the day, I really dug the cool story lines of these erstwhile "Movies of the Week". If the creepy teaser ad with the "headless dummy" didn't get you to tune in, nothing would! That, and the reliable Robert Stack in the offbeat role of the head of a family being menaced by the supernatural. Between the thumpings, howlings in the night, and the weird psychiatrist hanging around the neighborhood, my heart-rate was up there, for sure. The solution to the mystery may be a bit weak, but I loved the O. Henry-style final scene. What's really sad is that when I saw "Cold Creek Manor", which had an amazingly similar plot,a much bigger budget, bigger name-stars, bigger EVERYTHING--it still didn't hold a candle to "--Occurrence". If ever you find it in your local listings, watch and compare. Trust me. TRIVIA: I was surprised to see Sandor Stern in the writing credits! Very apropos, considering later he went on to adapt and direct "Pin", another suspense featuring a "menacing dummy"--one with an even NASTIER disposition.
Nifty little made for TV chiller
Bloodwank30 May 2012
I've long held a great fondness for genre cinema that lays the bite on a family. I suppose because family is about the most primal, fundamental structure in society so if you really get pulling on those teeny tiny strings you can make the whole edifice feel like it's in trouble. Of course such films come in every shape and size, from the everything will be fine and nobody was ever in much danger types right through to the family itself as trunk of rot and ooze types. The Strange and Deadly Occurrence sticks mostly on the light side of the genre, but through swift pace, smart direction and determination to put everyone through the ringer with very little downtime, it manages to be a definite winner. The story is as simple as they come, a happy family in a beautiful new house are plagued by rapidly escalating unusual and menacing events. Something doesn't want them there, but why? ...Well to be honest the why isn't all that interesting. No great twists and turns, nothing too unusual or imaginative. Pretty commonplace actually. Also it renders some of what has gone before even more unlikely than it already was. Doesn't matter much though, as this is pretty small scale stuff with little in the way of ambition, just standard tightly composed TV movie thrill-chiller territory. The ending wraps everything up in suitably suspenseful fashion there are some good scares and the acting is on the mark. Robert Stack (Airplane) plays the head of the house well, determinedly hanging on in the face of the unknown but still considerate towards his wife and daughter, never brash nor intemperate but not weak either. The sort of guy you can relate to really. Vera Miles (Psycho) is equally good as his wife, somewhat more cowed by affairs but never hysterical or even especially nervous, holding herself together for the good of all. Margaret Willock comes off well as the daughter of the piece as well, the sort of role that usually drags but she manages to be perfectly likable. They work well together, and their convincing mounting fear gives the jolts that little extra push. As far as the jolts go, they are all fairly tame but a couple make their mark well, and the whole affair is boosted by quality direction from veteran John Llewellyn Moxey (City of the Dead), including various adeptly gripping sequences of fluid, roaming point of view camera-work rather similar to that of a slasher. So, as it all comes together, a decent diverting affair with some fine moments. Like most of its ilk it isn't likely to make too much of an impression on latter day audiences, being the sort of thing that mostly just freaked out kids watching it when it first aired, but its very much a solid affair and well worth a watch for fans of the eras TV chiller programming.
Unremarkable, audio is so bad it's almost unwatchable
Terrorantula18 January 2021
The movie has Robert Stack, but is otherwise unremarkable. The movies audio made it almost unwatchable though, it's just full of loud dog barking, horses fussing, and the daughter constantly shrieking 'daddy' like loud noises are supposed to be scary somehow. The daughter looks like a grown woman too so it's just bizarre that she's acting like a HUGE baby.
Worthwhile 70's TV-thriller.
Coventry10 April 2009
It's sort of funny and charming to browse through the user-comments on these early 70's made-for-TV chillers; also known as the notorious ABC movies of the Week. The only few and brief comments are customarily written by people who watched the original airings on TV, got terrified of what they saw and then for years unsuccessfully tried tracking down a copy of that one movie that left such a gigantic impression on them. Well, I hope all these devoted fans managed to found a copy in the meantime, but normally that shouldn't be a problem nowadays because thanks to new media canals and exchanging methods, such a thing like an obscure movie hardly exists anymore. Heck, I even came across a proper version of "The Strange and Deadly Occurrence" and I never fanatically searched for it. I do immediately understand, however, why this is such a loved and intensely remembered film among 70's TV-thriller fans. The basic plot of "The Strange and Deadly Occurrence" is rudimentary and straightforward, but the atmosphere is unceasingly tense and there are two or three exceptionally unsettling sequences that are guaranteed to make your entire body tremble. All the other reviews collectively babble on and on about the scene with a headless dummy and petrifying pounding sounds. Those particular sequences are indeed quite scary, although I do think they must have been at least a dozen times scarier back in the early 70's, when horror was merely suggestive and everything else was left to the imagination. The happy and harmonious Rhodes family has been living in their secluded but luxurious countryside mansion for a couple of months now, but lately the number of little problems increases dramatically. There are problems with the electricity and plumbing, the estate is infested with gophers, the 16-year-old daughter suffers from spooky vivid nightmares and the brand new family dog mysteriously dies in the horses' stable. Is the area haunted or does someone just really wants to chase the Rhodes family out of there, like the suspicious Dr. Gillgreen who offers to buy the house at all prices. As said, a very simplistic formula but one that is compelling enough to keep you interested and guessing along with the protagonists regarding the secret of the house. John Llewellyn Moxey, arguably the best TV-thriller director of the era with other highlights in his repertoire such as "Nightmare in Badham County", "Where have all the people gone" and "The Night Stalker", keeps the pace reasonably fast and perfectly knows how to uphold the atmosphere of mystery until the very end. Robert Stack and Vera Miles give adequate performances as the married couple and Margaret Willock is very cherubic as the teenage daughter. This definitely isn't the greatest TV-thriller you'll ever watch, but nevertheless a very decent one.
It's not badly made, but the bait-and-switch is a letdown
Milk_Tray_Guy16 November 2022
Warning: Spoilers
A high-flying tax lawyer, his wife and their daughter move from the city to an isolated house in the country. It turns out there's a local legend about the place being haunted by a priest who died at a monastery that stood on the same site. Before long the family are disturbed by strange noises, unexplained power-outages, and bathroom taps that turn on whilst the family's out. The lawyer calls the local sheriff but he can find no sign of any forced entry, or intruders. The disturbances get worse, as the lawyer determines to get to the bottom of things.
There's a good cast (lead by Robert Stack as the lawyer and Vera Miles as his wife, with L. Q. Jones as the sheriff, and Margaret Willock as the 16 year old daughter), and it starts off well; but the movie's a cruel bait-and-switch, promoted as a supernatural horror but turning into a crime thriller. The atmosphere's built well, and there are some pretty creepy scenes early on - but that just makes it all the more frustrating when the true nature of things is revealed. A real letdown in that regard. The strong performances get it a 5.5/10.
There's a good cast (lead by Robert Stack as the lawyer and Vera Miles as his wife, with L. Q. Jones as the sheriff, and Margaret Willock as the 16 year old daughter), and it starts off well; but the movie's a cruel bait-and-switch, promoted as a supernatural horror but turning into a crime thriller. The atmosphere's built well, and there are some pretty creepy scenes early on - but that just makes it all the more frustrating when the true nature of things is revealed. A real letdown in that regard. The strong performances get it a 5.5/10.
Excellent TV Movie Experience!
JLRMovieReviews16 March 2016
Warning: Spoilers
Robert Stack and Vera Miles are husband and wife in this short, suspenseful TV movie of the 1970s, "The Strange and Deadly Occurrence." All is well in the beginning, until they discover they are being watched and this mysterious presence is in the house! Or has been! Scaring the daughter. Touching her while she sleeps. Robert can't convince anything's wrong to the sheriff, who is absolutely no help and refuses to waste his own time and energy on this. Even, when a dog they bought for security dies from getting kicked in the head by their horse in the horse stall. That's how the sheriff explains it and rationalizes how it happened. Then, a creepy guy who was interested in buying the property turns up dead in their pool. What about that, Sheriff? What goes on here? What does this person want? Oh, and Vera Miles goes for a steam bath in their walk-in sauna, during all this drama. How crazy! Why would you go in there, when a stalker is hanging around on your property? That aside, the scenes of them vulnerable at night and the quiet, the quiet are so chilling and ominous it feels like "Halloween" and you forget this was on TV. The demise of the creepy guy was particularly memorable. I mean, this was scary. The actor playing the villain was very good. I mean good. But, the ending has a little twist to it with a light chuckle, that seems to minimize the whole experience and makes the viewer feels like all this was for nothing. Criticisms aside, this is definitely one of the best TV suspense films I have ever seen. Period.
The title has little to do with a pretty good TV thriller
HEFILM27 June 2016
Yes it's true there really isn't any strange and deadly occurrence in the film--though you could argue there are several. You could also say that not much really happens in the film--despite these, I feel, truths about this still obscure movie, it's worth watching.
I saw it as an adult in a poor copy that still couldn't ruin the film. Much credit to the director and to a set up that feels like the Manson family is about to attack at any moment--but don't expect that kind of pay off as there is more dread than actual action in the film. Shows what a good cast and director can do--at least back then. Robert Stack is especially good. And the late appearance of Deliverance crazy McKinney makes the ending much more satisfying than it should be. One of the great creepo character actors at the top of his form.
Today this would be made for LIFETIME in a lifeless way. And if they did, they would cut the "headless" scene that is the horror highlight of a movie that isn't really a horror film. I suppose if you saw this as a kid you'd say it was the headless movie though that is one isolated scene with little or nothing to do with the rest of the film.
No the film is not in the same league and the great scary 70's TV movies, but it's way above par for what passes as TV thrillers currently.
Sandor Stern as one of the writers is a plus as well. This just shows what talent and craft can do with a very limited story concept.
I saw it as an adult in a poor copy that still couldn't ruin the film. Much credit to the director and to a set up that feels like the Manson family is about to attack at any moment--but don't expect that kind of pay off as there is more dread than actual action in the film. Shows what a good cast and director can do--at least back then. Robert Stack is especially good. And the late appearance of Deliverance crazy McKinney makes the ending much more satisfying than it should be. One of the great creepo character actors at the top of his form.
Today this would be made for LIFETIME in a lifeless way. And if they did, they would cut the "headless" scene that is the horror highlight of a movie that isn't really a horror film. I suppose if you saw this as a kid you'd say it was the headless movie though that is one isolated scene with little or nothing to do with the rest of the film.
No the film is not in the same league and the great scary 70's TV movies, but it's way above par for what passes as TV thrillers currently.
Sandor Stern as one of the writers is a plus as well. This just shows what talent and craft can do with a very limited story concept.
There Is Just Something Attractive About The Property
Rainey-Dawn28 January 2017
Here's another one of those made for TV movies of the 1970s that is pretty darn good to watch. Who or what is wanting this family out of the house and why? Michael & Christine Rhodes buys and moves out into the country in a lovely home with their 16 year old daughter Melissa. A three of them are enjoying the place. One day Melissa begins to believe that someone or something was in the bedroom with her, her face and hair was touched and it awoke her from her sleep. The lights keep turning themselves off and Michael has to keep going to the basement to turn them back on. Micheal and Melissa both experienced a presence in the house that awoke both of them on another night. One afternoon Christine was enjoying her sauna and was trapped inside for a time and passed out. A mysterious man appears wanting desperately to buy the house. Michael keeps contacting the sheriff but the sheriff says "look if you can't handle the country maybe your family should think about moving". The family doesn't want to leave, they love the place and one man really wants to buy it - there is just something about this property out in the country that is very attractive. There is also a story of a man, a previous owner, that has died on the property.
A really good mid-afternoon movie. It has it's share of suspense & thrills plus an air of horror.
7/10
A really good mid-afternoon movie. It has it's share of suspense & thrills plus an air of horror.
7/10
I remember!
Ken S.26 September 2000
Yes, I remember this movie because of the headless dummy scene. It scared the c**p out of me too and I would have to rank that up there with the hand coming out of the grave scene from "Carrie" as one of the scariest moments in filmdom (even if this was a Television Movie).
An entertaining TV flick from beginning to end.
OllieSuave-00729 July 2018
This is an intriguing little movie, starring Robert Stack and Vera Miles as a couple who moved into the countryside with their daughter, into a nice home. However, someone or something doesn't want them there. What results are one mysterious occurrence after the other.
It's nice to see Stack in a horror/drama movie role - I'm more used to seeing him as the narrator of Unsolved Mysteries. He did a good and commanding job in his character, as did Vera Miles in hers. The plot was fast-paced from beginning to end - the thrilling suspense takes place almost immediately, leaving no room for boring fillers and subplots that drag.
Overall, a good, entertaining TV flick for a day at home.
Grade A-
It's nice to see Stack in a horror/drama movie role - I'm more used to seeing him as the narrator of Unsolved Mysteries. He did a good and commanding job in his character, as did Vera Miles in hers. The plot was fast-paced from beginning to end - the thrilling suspense takes place almost immediately, leaving no room for boring fillers and subplots that drag.
Overall, a good, entertaining TV flick for a day at home.
Grade A-
I'd just get another house....
planktonrules25 October 2016
A family has bought a country house and although the place seems great, weird things start happening...and they are scared. Their daughter suspects someone has been in her room at night, the wife gets locked in the sauna and nearly dies, they hear loud noise and the phone and fuses go out for no reason. At the same time, a strange doctor shows up--wanting to buy the house. What does it all mean and is the family in danger? And, if they are, is it from people or the supernatural?
This turned out to be a surprisingly good film...mostly because there really was a good payoff at the end. I was actually expecting some lame explanation for all the weird goings on but the one they had wrapped it all up very nicely...making it one of the better installments of "The ABC Movie of the Week". Very Miles and Robert Stack star in this one.
This turned out to be a surprisingly good film...mostly because there really was a good payoff at the end. I was actually expecting some lame explanation for all the weird goings on but the one they had wrapped it all up very nicely...making it one of the better installments of "The ABC Movie of the Week". Very Miles and Robert Stack star in this one.
I guess I'm the only one...
cd83224 February 2000
While I can't comment too much on this movie in detail, I do remember it scared the hell out of me as a kid when I first saw it. The "headless" mannequin dummy and the eerie pounding is what I remember about it that was so scary. I also remember the ending, which I won't give away here of course. (Not that you'll ever get to see this movie.)
NO ONE, I mean NO ONE remembers this movie. The fact that I'm the only one with a comment here so far for this movie attests to this. This TV movie scared me as much as DON'T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK and TRILOGY OF TERROR. Almost everyone remembers those though. I even saw DON'T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK on video at my local Blockbuster, but NEVER this one ANYWHERE EVER.
I haven't seen it in at least twenty years. I'd like to see this again somehow and my searches turn up nothing. It's not even listed in Leonard Maltin's fat movie book. If anyone knows where this can be found on video. Please email me.
NO ONE, I mean NO ONE remembers this movie. The fact that I'm the only one with a comment here so far for this movie attests to this. This TV movie scared me as much as DON'T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK and TRILOGY OF TERROR. Almost everyone remembers those though. I even saw DON'T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK on video at my local Blockbuster, but NEVER this one ANYWHERE EVER.
I haven't seen it in at least twenty years. I'd like to see this again somehow and my searches turn up nothing. It's not even listed in Leonard Maltin's fat movie book. If anyone knows where this can be found on video. Please email me.
Creepy little thriller
markstefano-8810126 April 2022
What was it about the 70s and these creepy little thrillers that often turned up as an ABC movie of the week and such like.
Good peformances all round,a great cast including Robert Stack and Vera Miles.
Someone wants the Rhodes family out of their house,but why? Some creepy goings on and some effective scares add to a neat little mystery.
A particularly creepy turn from the excellent Ted Gehring as the unsettling Dr. Gillgreen adds to the atmosphere too.
Good peformances all round,a great cast including Robert Stack and Vera Miles.
Someone wants the Rhodes family out of their house,but why? Some creepy goings on and some effective scares add to a neat little mystery.
A particularly creepy turn from the excellent Ted Gehring as the unsettling Dr. Gillgreen adds to the atmosphere too.
Comes on all the Time !!!!!
livingdead7029 July 2002
Hey guys this movie is ran all the time..... it came on TBS several times in the late 80s early 90s and recently was shown on the Turner South Network!!!!! Ive seen it probably 7 or 8 times !! im sure it will be on soon.... if i see it coming on ill tape it and maybe i can get you guys copies or something !!!!!!!!!
"Go On, Crybaby! Get Over There!"...
azathothpwiggins12 August 2018
In THE STRANGE AND DEADLY OCCURRENCE, Michael and Christine Rhodes (Robert Stack and Vera Miles), along with their daughter, Melissa (Margaret Willock), are settling in to their new, rural home. Odd things begin happening almost immediately, like unexplained power outages, weird furnace trouble, and an eerie, heavy-breathing presence!
Christine soon learns of the house's dark past. Could some paranormal phenomena be afoot? And, who's the bizarre guy that insists on buying the house? As the inexplicable events grow more frequent and dangerous, the Rhodes' start to question the wisdom of their investment.
Michael believes that some flesh and blood perpetrator is up to no good. The Sheriff (L.Q. Jones) is unconvinced that anything serious is taking place. Then, a life is lost, and a secret is uncovered. This all leads to the big, shock finale.
This made-for-TV movie is an effective mystery / thriller with a nice, ironic ending. Both Stack and Miles are convincing in their parts.
Watch for the inimitable Bill McKinney as Pratt...
Christine soon learns of the house's dark past. Could some paranormal phenomena be afoot? And, who's the bizarre guy that insists on buying the house? As the inexplicable events grow more frequent and dangerous, the Rhodes' start to question the wisdom of their investment.
Michael believes that some flesh and blood perpetrator is up to no good. The Sheriff (L.Q. Jones) is unconvinced that anything serious is taking place. Then, a life is lost, and a secret is uncovered. This all leads to the big, shock finale.
This made-for-TV movie is an effective mystery / thriller with a nice, ironic ending. Both Stack and Miles are convincing in their parts.
Watch for the inimitable Bill McKinney as Pratt...
See also
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