Haunted (1977)

In Arizona during the Civil War, a woman is accused of witchcraft, tied to a horse and left to die in the desert. One hundred years later, the descendants of the woman's accusers start ... See full summary »

Director:

Michael A. DeGaetano (as Michael de Gaetano)

Writer:

Michael A. DeGaetano (as Michael de Gaetano)

Stars:

Aldo Ray, Virginia Mayo, Ann Michelle

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Aldo Ray	...	Andrew
Virginia Mayo	...	Michelle
Ann Michelle	...	Abanaki / Jennifer Baines
Jim Negele	...	Patrick
Brad Rearden	...	Russell
Fred Carroll	...	Steiner / Bartender
June Ely	...	Proserpina
Carl B. Belfor	...	Mechanic (as Carl Belfor)
Grady Daugherty	...	Tow Truck Driver
Paul Vincenzo	...	Priest / Doctor
George Smith
Leigh Hunt Wilson
Harry Tresize
Robert Bickston
Barry Cooper

Storyline

In Arizona during the Civil War, a woman is accused of witchcraft, tied to a horse and left to die in the desert. One hundred years later, the descendants of the woman's accusers start being killed off, and the townspeople suspect the woman has come back as an evil spirit.

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Plot Keywords:

arizona desert | arizona | arizona territory | u.s. civil war | civil war | 

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Taglines:

They Dared Defy the Curse of a Hundred Years!

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Genres:

Horror

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Certificate:

R

Details

Official Sites:

Code Red DVD [United States]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 March 1977 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Haunted

Filming Locations:

Superstition Mountains, Arizona, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Northaire Communications

Technical Specs

Runtime:

82 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

According to the interview with Jim Negele on the Code Red DVD, Aldo Ray was often difficult to work with because he was drunk during much of the shooting.

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Connections

References Frankenstein (1931)

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Soundtracks

How Can I Tell Judy
Music by Lor Crane
Lyrics by Freya Crane
Performed by Herbert Oscar Anderson (as Herb Oscar Anderson)

User Reviews

Fairly good fun for schlock lovers.

Gloriously goofy low budget shocker from writer / co-producer / director Michael De Gaetano; it's so laughable so often that one has to believe he basically had his tongue in his cheek the entire time. They also know that when the opening text / exposition makes them laugh, that can be a direct indicator of what's to come. 100 years ago, a proud young Indian woman is framed for theft and sentenced to ride her horse - topless - throughout the desert until she dies. Well, that's somewhat novel, at the least. Then a century later, a lost British lass comes upon an Arizona community where a dysfunctional family resides in a run down old movie studio - a lass who just might be the reincarnation of that long ago Indian woman. Another thing that sets this little movie up quite well right away is the uproarious, overwrought disco theme song "Indian Woman" sung by Billy Vera of "At This Moment" fame. This itself is indicative of the melodrama to come as thuggish Andrew (Aldo Ray) and blind Michelle (Virginia Mayo) reminisce. The two veterans are a total hoot what with their histrionics; Ray completely turns on the intensity and nuttiness as Andrew becomes more and more unhinged - and homicidal - as the story progresses. Meanwhile, Michelle's son Patrick (likable enough Jim Negele) becomes fond of the stranger in town, played by lovely Ann Michelle ("House of Whipcord"). She actually comes off the best, even if her character(s) are very thinly written; she's quite easy to watch (and shows off her breasts for the appreciation of all those watching); Brad Rearden ("Hi- Riders", "The Silent Scream") is stuck with an annoying role as the bratty younger brother Russell. On location filming in Arizona *is* one appreciable asset, as well as a decent music score by Lor Crane, and a pretty enjoyable final act that culminates in an intense full body burn. "Haunted" does work fairly well as an amusing bit of wild 'n' wacky nonsense; De Gaetano does have a good feel for the bizarre, starting with the perfectly silly idea of having a phone booth installed in a cemetery in order to set up one of his most surreal touches. If all of this sounds right up your alley, then by all means dive right in. The movie is absurd but not without some charms. Six out of 10.