House (1986)

Roger Cobb is a Vietnam vet whose career as a horror novelist has taken a turn for the worse when his son Jimmy mysteriously disappears while visiting his aunt's house. Roger's search for ... See full summary »

Director:

Steve Miner

Writers:

Fred Dekker (story), Ethan Wiley (screenplay)

Stars:

William Katt, George Wendt, Richard Moll

1 win & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
William Katt	...	Roger Cobb
George Wendt	...	Harold Gorton
Richard Moll	...	Big Ben
Kay Lenz	...	Sandy Sinclair
Mary Stavin	...	Tanya
Michael Ensign	...	Chet Parker
Erik Silver	...	Jimmy
Mark Silver	...	Jimmy
Susan French	...	Aunt Elizabeth
Alan Autry	...	Cop #3
Steven Williams	...	Cop #4
James Calvert	...	Grocery Boy (as Jim Calvert)
Mindy Sterling	...	Woman in Bookstore
Jayson Kane	...	Cheesy Stud
Billy Beck	...	Priest

Storyline

Roger Cobb is a Vietnam vet whose career as a horror novelist has taken a turn for the worse when his son Jimmy mysteriously disappears while visiting his aunt's house. Roger's search for Jimmy destroys his marriage and his writing career. The sudden death of his aunt brings Roger back to the house where his nightmares began. The evil zombies in the house force Roger to endure a harrowing journey into his past.

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Plot Keywords:

vietnam | novelist | author | writing | vietnam war | 

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Taglines:

You are cordially invited to spend an evening with Roger Cobb and his friends. Don't come alone!

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Genres:

Comedy | Fantasy | Horror

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Certificate:

R

Details

Official Sites:

Roger Cobb's House

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

28 February 1986 (USA)

Also Known As:

House: Ding Dong, You're Dead

Filming Locations:

329 Melrose Ave, Monrovia, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$3,000,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$19,445,000 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

New World Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

93 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Dennis Franz auditioned for the role of Chet Parker.

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Goofs

In one of the first scenes in which Roger is inspecting the haunted closet, he turns and leaves the room and a moving boom mic's shadow is clearly visible in the upper left hand corner.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Grocery Boy: Mrs. Hooper?

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Connections

Features The Forgotten (1973)

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Soundtracks

"You're No Good"
by Clint Ballard Jr.

User Reviews

Underrated

'House' stars William Katt as Roger Cobb, an accomplished novelist who moves into his creepy aunt's house after her suicide. In bits and pieces, the audience discovers that Roger once lived in the house, as well, along with the aunt, Roger's wife, and their now-missing son, Jimmy. Roger believes that Jimmy is trapped somewhere in this mysterious house, which just happens to be some sort of portal between past and present dimensions...I think? Anyway, the audience becomes involved, well, at least myself and the rest of my company became involved, and you start to feel for this poor guy who has really sorry luck...in all areas. Roger, our tattered hero, has the pretty neighbor Tanya, who likes to come and swim in his pool, and who ALWAYS catches him at the worst times. Then he has the nosy neighbor Harold, played by George Wendt, who might be out to exploit him or may just be generally concerned. I don't know. Then there is the neighborhood dog who likes to dig up Roger's "saplings"....

Overall, I find this to be a fairly underrated little horror movie. It's definitely one of Steve Miner's more innovative attempts, and the music, reminiscent of the F13 music and performed by the same man, Harry Manfredini, is thoroughly haunting. Also, most importantly, the acting is believable. Major points for that. None of this movie is hokey. It could have been...but it wasn't. 7/10 is my vote.