Demência 13 (1963)

Shocked by the death of her spouse, a scheming widow hatches a bold plan to get her hands on the inheritance, unaware that she is targeted by an axe-wielding murderer who lurks in the family's estate. What mystery shrouds the noble house?

Director:

Francis Ford Coppola (as Francis Coppola)

Writers:

Francis Ford Coppola (as Francis Coppola), Jack Hill (second unit written by)

Stars:

William Campbell, Luana Anders, Bart Patton

Cast

Complete credited cast:
William Campbell	...	Richard Haloran
Luana Anders	...	Louise Haloran
Bart Patton	...	Billy Haloran
Mary Mitchel	...	Kane
Patrick Magee	...	Justin Caleb
Eithne Dunne	...	Lady Haloran (as Ethne Dunn)
Peter Read	...	John Haloran
Karl Schanzer	...	Simon
Ron Perry	...	Arthur
Derry O'Donavan	...	Lillian
Barbara Dowling	...	Kathleen Haloran

Storyline

Whilst out on a rowboat with his wife Louise, John Haloran has a heart attack and dies. She casts his body overboard and hides his death telling the family he left on an urgent business trip. Louise's main concern is that she can only hope to inherit part of his family fortune if he's still alive. The Halorans are a strange family. They are still grieving over the death of the youngest daughter, Kathleen, who drowned in a pond when she was a young child. The family hold an annual ceremony of remembrance, on the anniversary of her death. But this year someone is wielding an ax...intent on murder.

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Plot Keywords:

son | screaming underwater | psychotronic film | slasher | see through | 

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Taglines:

Are you afraid of death by drowning? Have you ever attempted suicide? Have you ever thought of committing murder?

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Genres:

Horror | Thriller

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Did You Know?

Trivia

Luana Anders has a line about "an American girl" who was "raised on promises." Whether this was an influence or not, Tom Petty's American Girl has that in the lyrics.

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Goofs

When Billy is holding the candle whilst talking about being stressed, the candle has been smoldering quite a bit of smoke and the next shot shows the candle is lying on the table and there is absolutely no smoke.

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Quotes

Richard Haloran: You're an intelligent woman, Louise. You notice things, size people up. You know when they're happy and know when something's bothering them. I want you to do me a little favour.
Louise Haloran: Of course.
Richard Haloran: Keep that microscope you've got built into your eye off of me!

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Alternate Versions

There is a DVD with a computer colorized version.

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Connections

Featured in Mischief Night (2014)

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Soundtracks

Believe Me If All Those Endearing Young Charms
(uncredited)
Lyrics by Thomas Moore
Music: traditional Irish air

User Reviews

Good whodunit/horror flick with twists...

1st watched 5/31/2003 - 6 out of 10(Dir-Francis Coppola): Good whodunit/horror flick with twists around every corner and old-style scary movie feel. This is the first effort from Francis "Ford" Coppola with probably a shoestring budget with producer Roger Corman also involved. What is done well in this movie is the storytelling and the use of sound/music to keep you on the edge-of-your-seat. For 1963, this movie probably was rather shocking because of it's realisticly violent scenes but the core of the movie is the good story. Coppola shows here that his career in film will be promising and it has been. Good for collectors and for just people who like good horror/mystery movies.

Details

Country:

USA Ireland

Language:

English

Release Date:

1964 (UK)

Also Known As:

Demência 13

Filming Locations:

Ardmore Studios, Herbert Road, Bray, County Wicklow, Ireland

Box Office

Budget:

$40,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Roger Corman Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

75 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White Color (colorized)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1