Invitation to Hell (1984)

A family moves to a suburban town only to be coerced into joining a suspicious club.

Director:

Wes Craven

Writer:

Richard Rothstein

Stars:

Robert Urich, Joanna Cassidy, Susan Lucci

Nominated for 1 Primetime Emmy.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Robert Urich	...	Matt Winslow
Joanna Cassidy	...	Patricia 'Pat' Winslow
Susan Lucci	...	Jessica Jones
Joe Regalbuto	...	Tom Peterson
Kevin McCarthy	...	Mr. Thompson
Patty McCormack	...	Mary Peterson
Bill Erwin	...	Walt Henderson
Soleil Moon Frye	...	Chrissy Winslow
Barret Oliver	...	Robbie Winslow
Nicholas Worth	...	Sheriff
Virginia Vincent	...	Grace Henderson
Greg Monaghan	...	Pete
Lois Hamilton	...	Miss Winter
Cal Bartlett	...	Stepson
Anne Marie McEvoy	...	Janie

Storyline

A scientist and his family move to a new town. He meets the local celebrity the beautiful who runs the local health club to which everyone is a member and makes him suspicious. Intrigued he investigates further and uncovers a terrifying plot.

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Plot Keywords:

spa | health spa | scientist | health club | murder | 

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Taglines:

Horror Master Wes Craven turns a family's lifelong dream into their worst nightmare.

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Genres:

Horror | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

24 May 1984 (USA)

Also Known As:

Convite Para o Inferno

Company Credits

Production Co:

Moonlight Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The set for the residential interior was constructed on a sound stage in/at the Culver City Studios on Washington Boulevard (the old Selznick Studio of "Gone With The Wind" fame). Production offices, also, were located at the studio. The interior living room stage set required a turn around for the scenario effects script requirement (with wind and bricks flying from and through the walls). On the same sound stage, the health club set was erected with three thicknesses of plaster wall board covering the wooden stage flooring set footprint, required for the controlled fire effects when Susan Lucci introduces her "hellish" character's charms! The translucent vacuum formed panels, used in the set wall panels, actually started melting from the intense heat radiated from the gas-line-pipes which were positioned to create the aisle of fire Susan Lucci walked through. The fire sequence required several re-takes causing the plastic material melting. Viewing the sequence, you can see the vacuum formed 4" deep pyramid pattern-plastic design sag on camera. Susan Lucci's costume and hair was singed and scorched from the intense heat.

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Goofs

A pull wire is visible when Matt Winslow shoots Tom Peterson with a laser beam, throwing him back.

User Reviews

Saunas a bit too hot

A classy film pulled in 2 directions. To its advantage it is directed by Wes Craven. On the downside the TV film budget shows what could have been so much more with a larger budget. It moves along as Susan Lucci draws Robert Urichfamily into her clutches and trying to persuade him into the secret of her health club. His latest invention, a spacesuit which can analyse people or things becomes unexpectedly useful in his new neighbourhood. Anyone seeing this should pay attention to Susan Lucci. Her looks and performance had an unexpected repercussions a few years later. The actor, scientist and parapsychologist Stephen Armourae is a fan of this film and wrote a review of this film. Lucci became subject of a portrait by him followed as the basis for works of a sitter called Catherine. Lucci and Barbara Steele's portrait in 'Black Sunday' were used as references for the Catherine portraits which were immediately withdrawn by Armourae. Probably due to a personal nature between the artist and Catherine. So by seeing both films we can get an insight into another story and the appearance of unknown woman that would make an interesting film.