The Dark Secret of Harvest Home 

A young couple moves to a quiet New England village, only to soon find themselves mixed up in mysterious rituals.

Stars:

Bette Davis, David Ackroyd, Rosanna Arquette

Nominated for 2 Primetime Emmys.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Bette Davis	...	Widow Fortune 2 episodes, 1978
David Ackroyd	...	Nick Constantine 2 episodes, 1978
Rosanna Arquette	...	Kate Constantine 2 episodes, 1978
Rene Auberjonois	...	Jack Stump 2 episodes, 1978
John Calvin	...	Justin Hooke 2 episodes, 1978
Norman Lloyd	...	Amys Penrose 2 episodes, 1978
Linda Marsh	...	Maggie Dodd 2 episodes, 1978
Joanna Miles	...	Beth Constantine 2 episodes, 1978
Michael O'Keefe	...	Worthy Pettinger 2 episodes, 1978
Laurie Prange	...	Sophie Hooke 2 episodes, 1978
Donald Pleasence	...	Narrator 2 episodes, 1978
Lina Raymond	...	Tamar Penrose 2 episodes, 1978
Tracey Gold	...	Missy Penrose 2 episodes, 1978
Stephen Joyce	...	Robert Dodd 2 episodes, 1978
Michael Durrell	...	Ty Barth 2 episodes, 1978
Martin Shakar	...	David Adwell 2 episodes, 1978
Grayce Grant	...	Mrs. Pettinger 2 episodes, 1978
Steve Gustafson	...	Jimmy Minerva 2 episodes, 1978

Storyline

A young couple moves to a quiet New England village, only to soon find themselves mixed up in mysterious rituals.

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Plot Keywords:

supernatural power | psychotronic series | folk horror | ritual | mouth sewn shut | 

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Genres:

Drama | Horror | Mystery | Thriller

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1978 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Dark Secret of Harvest Home

Filming Locations:

Kingsville, Ohio, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

300 min 118 min (video)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

All the donuts for production were made by then 17-year old Jeffrey 'JJ' Jay who is also the former owner of and brewer for Petaluma Hills Brewing Company.

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Quotes

Worthy Pettinger: May God curse the corn! Goddamn the mother!

User Reviews

A delicious, fascinating, well-acted and multi-textured "gothic horror" extravaganza more fascinating than frightening.

A truly "delicious" and engrossing film. This richly textured and atmospheric offering was made for TV in two parts (I believe) because it is quite long. I remember it as being in black and white, but I may be wrong about that. It used to come on late at night and though I sometimes had to go to work the next day I always watched the entire film all the way to the end -- because you have to. Makes the "Blair Witch Project" of the same genre really look like amateur hour. It stars the late, great Bette Davis, in a low-key performance, as a kindly old witch-like lady and David Ackroyd, a darned good actor of the "old school" -- meaning lots of talent and sex appeal. Ackroyd eagerly takes his family to their new home in rural Harvest Home... to an old, charming, quaint farmhouse that they find very desirable in today's hectic world. One-by-one, as the townspeople's quaintness reveals itself to be something beyond the norm, the family detects a supernatural, if not evil, undercurrent to everything they say and do. Harvest Home, as the title implies, is much more than it seems. Bits of the mystery of Harvest Home unravel bewitchingly and languorously as the story of this most unusual town and the people who live there unfolds. Like all exceptional movies, this one does not have one lame or wasted moment of film. It also has great production values, a great story, a great cast, a great director, and great scenery and photography. It's spooky and intelligent, not obvious and gross. There is so much going on under the surface and the performances so on-the-mark that it keeps your attention. It is a thoroughly enjoyable movie experience and you should jump at the chance to see it -- if that day ever comes.