I've seen a handful of seventies TV movies, and I've found that even the lesser ones are usually enjoyable enough; but until I saw Scream, Pretty Peggy: I couldn't say that I'd seen a great one. Director Gordon Hessler (who previously directed a few above average Vincent Price movies) manages to make a very simple and run of the mill tale highly suspenseful and interesting, and that is where Scream, Pretty Peggy's main strengths lie. The title is somewhat misleading if you ask me; as lead actress Sian Barbara Allen is not particularly pretty, but on the plus side; she is one of this film's main strengths. The plot focuses on a young girl named Peggy. She sees a job advertisement for a housekeeper and decides to take the job, in spite of the fact that it pays less half the minimum wage. Upon arriving at the house, she is soon introduced to an elderly woman, as well as her son; a sculptor who put out the advertisement for a housekeeper. It soon becomes apparent that something is not quite right at the house; and there's something strange about the rooms above the garage...
The plot is not particularly original, and it's not hard to pin down the film that had a direct influence on this one (I wont spoil it). However, the fact that the film is derivative is not a problem as few will be going into this expecting something groundbreaking anyway; and as seventy five minutes of entertainment; Scream Pretty Peggy more than does its job. The plot is simple in the way that it plays out, but there's always enough going on to keep the audience interested. The way that the mystery surrounding the garage rooms builds is really good - the plot twist does become obvious before it's unveiled, but the film keeps the last piece of the puzzle secret for long enough. The atmosphere is foreboding, and while the film doesn't feature any gore; the scenes involving the main antagonist are creepy and effective. Sian Barbara Allen keeps the audience's attention well, though at times that has more to do with the fact that she's rather irritating. Ted Bassell is good in his role as the charming/mysterious sculptor; and the cast is rounded off by a snarling Bette Davis. Overall, this little TV flick is well worth seeing and I wont hesitate to call it the best seventies TV horror movie that I've seen!
