Haunted (1977)

Director:

Michael A. DeGaetano

Writer:

Michael A. DeGaetano

Genre:

Horror

Tagline:

An Ancient Evil is Unleashed ... And It Wants Revenge!

Plot:

In Arizona during the Civil War, a woman is accused of witchcraft, tied to a horse and left to die in the desert...

Plot Keywords:

Desert | Witchcraft | Possession | Priest | Native American

Cast

Aldo Ray	...	Andrew
Virginia Mayo	...	Michelle
Ann Michelle	...	Abanaki / Jennifer Baines
Jim Negele	...	Patrick
Brad Rearden	...	Russell
Fred Carroll	...	Steiner / Bartender
June Ely	...	Prospector
Carl B. Belfor	...	Mechanic (as Carl Belfor)
Grady Daugherty	...	Tow Truck Driver
Paul Vincenzo	...	Priest / Doctor
George Smith
Leigh Hunt Wilson
Harry Tresize
Robert Bickston
Barry Cooper
Linda Best
Michael Collins
Leo Krokos
Ron Rhode

Directed by
Michael A. DeGaetano		(as Michael de Gaetano)

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Michael A. DeGaetano		(as Michael de Gaetano)

Produced by
Michael A. DeGaetano	....	producer (as Michael de Gaetano)
Gerik Eberts	....	associate producer
Nicholas P. Nizich	....	producer

Original Music by
Lor Crane

Cinematography by
William E. Hines

Film Editing by
Jack Hofstra		(as Jack B. Hofstra)

Art Direction by
Robert Wingo

Production Management
Rick Henderson	....	production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Ronald A. Romano	....	assistant director

Art Department
Linda Best	....	property master
Ken Crosser	....	set constructor
Wally Skurta	....	master carpenter
Antonio Romano	....	signmaker (uncredited)

Sound Department
Alice Erber	....	sound recordist
Larry Goga	....	dubbing engineer
Larry Goga	....	re-recording engineer
Dallas Hunter	....	boom operator

Stunts
Bill Couch	....	stunts

Camera and Electrical Department
James Bauman	....	key grip
James L. Berry	....	camera assistant (as Jim Berry)
Larry David	....	gaffer
William E. Hines	....	camera operator (as Bill Hines)
Tom Mickel	....	grip
Dick Plautz	....	grip
John Staub	....	best boy

Editorial Department
Carl B. Belfor	....	assistant editor (as Carl Belfor)

Music Department
Murri Barber	....	music producer
Lor Crane	....	conductor

Other crew
Frank Buchler	....	location manager
Jay Hedin	....	assistant to producer

Production Companies

• Northaire Communications

Distributors

• VCII Home Entertainment (1982) (USA) (VHS)
• Code Red DVD (2011) (USA) (DVD)
• Big Apple Releasing (????) (USA) (theatrical)
• Direct Video (????) (USA) (VHS)
• Simitar Video (????) (USA) (VHS)

Other Companies

• Midland International Records  original soundtrack album available on (as Midland International Records and Tapes)
• Westheimer Company  titles and opticals
• Alan Gordon Enterprises  special thanks
• F & B Ceco of California  special thanks (as F&B Ceco of California, Inc.)

Also Known As:

"The Haunted" - USA (video title)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

USA:R

Filming Locations:

Apache Junction, Arizona, USA

Company:

Northaire Communications

Trivia:

According to the interview with Jim Negele on the Code Red DVD, Aldo Ray was often difficult to work with because he was drunk during much of the shooting.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Maria's B-Movie Mayhem: Haunted (#1.2)" (2011)

Soundtrack:

A Distant Time (Love Theme from 'Haunted')

Aldo at his wackiest!

This film was in most video stores during the 80s but hasn't been seen much in the past few years. Though it's no horror classic, it does have a unique flavor. It was filmed in 1976 but only released 3 years later. It's better than most of the many made-for-video horror fests. Haunted is set in a desert ghost town and features great photography. The storyline is about an attractive female visitor to the town who looks just like a woman who was executed in the same area 100 years ago. Haunted is very low budget. There are only about a dozen people in the cast but the film is still competently made and has some eerie moments. It also has some unusual folk songs (in fact,a soundtrack from this movie was released, how many horror movies can say that?) The film's poster is a bit misleading as it shows a person impaled on the letters in the title. However, the film's body count is very low and the blood and guts is almost non-existent. Not that it matters though as the story will keep viewers hooked. Haunted's chief asset is Aldo Ray. Once upon a time, Ray worked in major Hollywood productions but by this time, he was taking any part that was offered. At the start, Ray's character is nasty. He then gets nastier and nastier while the film goes on. By the end, he is really off the deep end. One may wonder if he is acting or going nuts in real life while the scene is being shot! In any event, Haunted is one of the few obscure horror films that is worth your time!