A demented widow lures unsuspecting children into her mansion in a bizarre "Hansel and Gretel" twist.
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Title: Whoever Slew Auntie Roo? (1972)
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Cast
| Complete credited cast: | |||
| Shelley Winters | ... | Mrs. Forrest | |
| Mark Lester | ... | Christopher Coombs | |
| Chloe Franks | ... | Katy Coombs | |
| Ralph Richardson | ... | Mr. Benton | |
| Lionel Jeffries | ... | Inspector Ralph Willoughby | |
| Hugh Griffith | ... | Mr. Harrison | |
| Rosalie Crutchley | ... | Miss Henley | |
 |
Pat Heywood | ... | Dr. Mason |
| Judy Cornwell | ... | Clarine | |
| Michael Gothard | ... | Albie | |
|
|
Jackie Cowper | ... | Angela Barnes (as Jacqueline Cowper) |
| Richard Beaumont | ... | Peter Brookshire | |
|
|
Charlotte Sayce | ... | Katharine Forrest |
| Marianne Stone | ... | Miss Wilcox | |
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Plot Summary
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Storyline
A retelling of the old tale of Hansel and Gretel, but set in 1920's England. To the children and staff at the orphanage, Auntie Roo is a kindly American widow who gives them a lavish Christmas party each year in her mansion, Forrest Grange. In reality, she's a severely disturbed woman, who keeps the mummified remains of her little daughter in a nursery in the attic. One Christmas, her eye fall upon a little girl who reminds her of her daughter and she imprisons her in her attic. Nobody believes her brother, Christopher, when he tells them what's happened, so he goes to rescue her. Written by Mark
Taglines:
Say goodnight to Auntie Roo, kiddies. It's dead time! See more »Parents Guide:
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Christopher: I'm hiding the jewels.
Katy Coombs: What jewels?
Christopher: The real jewels. If we get adopted, when we grow up we can sell them and buy a big mansion.
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Did You Know?
Trivia
The cast includes two Oscar winners (Shelley Winters and Hugh Griffith) and one Oscar nominee (Ralph Richardson). See more »Quotes
Katy Coombs: What're you doing?Christopher: I'm hiding the jewels.
Katy Coombs: What jewels?
Christopher: The real jewels. If we get adopted, when we grow up we can sell them and buy a big mansion.
See more »
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Details
Country:
UKLanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
11 February 1972 (UK) See more »Also Known As:
Who Slew Auntie Roo? See more »Company Credits
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IMDbPro »
Who Slew Auntie Roo is still one of the most cleverly constructed films of the 70s.
An interesting and fascinating take on the Hansel and Gretel story.
Mrs. Forrest (Shelley Winters) is a rich widow who had been married to a successful British Magician. He died leaving her his fortune and creepy mansion called "Forrest Grange" Their little 7 year old daughter Katherine died after falling off a banister that she was sliding down.
The film opens with Auntie Roo as she is called by the orphans singing a lullabye to what appears to be a child in a cradle. Auntie Roo quietly steals out after we think the child is asleep. The camera slowly pans to the cradle only to reveal a rotted corpse of a child in a nightgown. This sets the scenario for the film.
Auntie Roo is obviously an eccentric. She has constant seances in an attempt to communicate with her dead daughter. Of course her psychic is in cahoots with the servants who stage the seances.
It is now time for Aunt Roo's annual Christmas Party where 10 lucky children from the local orphanage are selected to attend an overnight holiday party at Forrest Grange. Christopher and Katy Coombs, a brother and sister are not selected, but stow away in the back of the car. Auntie Roo sees a resemblance in Katy to her dead daughter Katherine...and of course the movie takes off from here. The children see Auntie Roo as the witch in Hansel and Gretel...and Forrest Grange is the Gingerbread House. I won't give away any more of the plot, but the psychological games between the children and Auntie Roo as their terror mounts makes for an extremely entertaining film.
Aside from Shelley Winter's bravura performance, there are also strong contributions from Sir Ralph Richardson as her psychic; Rosemary Crutchley as the director of the orphanage, Mark Lester (of Oliver fame) as Christopher. The art and set direction are marvelous along with excellent camera work and lighting.
This film makes for a different and offbeat Christmas movie or just a plain "fun" movie to watch anytime!