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IMDbPro

The Possession of Joel Delaney

  • 19721972
  • RR
  • 1h 45m
IMDb RATING
5.7/10
1.2K
YOUR RATING
Shirley MacLaine in The Possession of Joel Delaney (1972)
An upper-class Manhattan divorcee comes to believe that her brother is possessed by the spirit of a serial killer who beheaded young women in Spanish Harlem.
Play trailer3:01
1 Video
50 Photos
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An upper-class Manhattan divorcee comes to believe that her brother is possessed by the spirit of a serial killer who beheaded young women in Spanish Harlem.An upper-class Manhattan divorcee comes to believe that her brother is possessed by the spirit of a serial killer who beheaded young women in Spanish Harlem.An upper-class Manhattan divorcee comes to believe that her brother is possessed by the spirit of a serial killer who beheaded young women in Spanish Harlem.
IMDb RATING
5.7/10
1.2K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Waris Hussein
  • Writers
    • Matt Robinson(screenplay)
    • Irene Kamp(screenplay)
    • Ramona Stewart(novel)
  • Stars
    • Shirley MacLaine
    • Perry King
    • David Elliott
  • Director
    • Waris Hussein
  • Writers
    • Matt Robinson(screenplay)
    • Irene Kamp(screenplay)
    • Ramona Stewart(novel)
  • Stars
    • Shirley MacLaine
    • Perry King
    • David Elliott
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 41User reviews
    • 42Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 nomination

    Videos1

    Trailer
    Trailer 3:01
    Watch Trailer

    Photos50

    Shirley MacLaine, David Elliott, Perry King, and Lisa Kohane in The Possession of Joel Delaney (1972)
    The Possession of Joel Delaney (1972)
    Shirley MacLaine and Barbara Trentham in The Possession of Joel Delaney (1972)
    Shirley MacLaine and Barbara Trentham in The Possession of Joel Delaney (1972)
    Barbara Trentham in The Possession of Joel Delaney (1972)
    Shirley MacLaine and Barbara Trentham in The Possession of Joel Delaney (1972)
    Barbara Trentham in The Possession of Joel Delaney (1972)
    Barbara Trentham in The Possession of Joel Delaney (1972)
    David Elliott, Perry King, and Lisa Kohane in The Possession of Joel Delaney (1972)
    Shirley MacLaine in The Possession of Joel Delaney (1972)
    Shirley MacLaine in The Possession of Joel Delaney (1972)
    Shirley MacLaine in The Possession of Joel Delaney (1972)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Shirley MacLaine
    Shirley MacLaine
    • Norah Benson
    Perry King
    Perry King
    • Joel Delaney
    David Elliott
    David Elliott
    • Peter Benson
    Lisa Kohane
    • Carrie Benson
    Lovelady Powell
    • Erika
    Barbara Trentham
    Barbara Trentham
    • Sherry
    Miriam Colon
    Miriam Colon
    • Veronica
    Edmundo Rivera Álvarez
    • Don Pedro
    • (as Edmundo Rivera Alvarez)
    Teodorina Bello
    • Mrs. Perez
    Robert Burr
    Robert Burr
    • Ted Benson
    Ernesto Gonzalez
    • Young Man at Seance
    Peter Turgeon
    Peter Turgeon
    • Detective Brady
    William Hawley
    Aukie Herger
    • Mr. Perez
    Earle Hyman
    Earle Hyman
    • Charles
    • (as Earl Hyman)
    Marita Lindholm
    • Marta Benson
    Paulita Iglesias
    • Brujo at Seance
    Stan Watt
    • James
    • Director
      • Waris Hussein
    • Writers
      • Matt Robinson(screenplay)
      • Irene Kamp(screenplay)
      • Ramona Stewart(novel)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Shirley MacLaine turned down the lead female role in The Exorcist (1973) in order to make this movie.
    • Alternate versions
      The UK cinema version was cut by the BBFC to edit shots of Carrie being threatened with a knife and forced to eat dog food from a bowl. The cuts were fully restored in the 2007 Sound & Media DVD release.
    • Connections
      Featured in Cinemacabre TV Trailers (1993)

    User reviews41

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    7/10
    Unique, Freaky 70's Horror...But Certainly Not "The Exorcist"!
    I recently just heard of this 70's cult-classic, and some were trying to compare it to or put it in the same realm as the 1973 masterpiece "The Exorcist." Let's be honest here...the ONLY thing that "The Possession of Joel Delaney" and "The Exorcist" have in common is that both do deal with the subject of possession. Other than that "Possession of Joel" does not even come close to an ink-ling of being in the same realm as "The Exorcist."

    However, this 70's horror flick is pretty good for low-budget and the topic it deals with. There are plenty of bizarre and freaky moments, and the slow mental collapse/possession of 'Joel' was amazingly portrayed by a very young Perry King! Shirley MacLaine also gives a very excellent performance as the somewhat weird and mentally troubled 'Norah'.

    But, the actor I had the most respect for, and thought truly had to go through a humiliating/horrifying experience, and handled it professionally (especially at his young age at the time) was David Elliot. He was the young 13 year old son of MacLaine and had to strip naked (exposing himself entirely) after the possessed Joel forced him to dance naked around the house to terrify him. That had to be embarrassing and I'm surprised they allowed it...but he handled the situation and that scene like a pro. This scene is also somewhat shocking and makes this film remembered among horror movie fans.

    Overall...again don't expect "The Exorcist", but it is frightening and the character development, filming locations, etc... are excellent! This is a must have for horror fans/collectors!
    helpful•5
    1
    • BogieandBacallfan
    • Apr 23, 2011

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • May 24, 1972 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Sapık ruhlar
    • Filming locations
      • The Pines, Fire Island, New York, USA(Beach house)
    • Production companies
      • Haworth Productions
      • Incorporated Television Company (ITC)
      • Paramount Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $1,300,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 45 minutes
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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