Superstition (1982)

A witch put to death in 1692 swears vengeance on her persecutors and returns to the present day to punish their descendants.

Director:

James W. Roberson

Writers:

Galen Thompson (screenplay) (as Donald G. Thompson), Michael O. Sajbel (story)

Stars:

James Houghton, Albert Salmi, Lynn Carlin

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
James Houghton	...	Rev. David Thompson
Albert Salmi	...	Inspector Sturgess
Lynn Carlin	...	Melinda Leahy
Larry Pennell	...	Reverend George Leahy
Jacquelyn Hyde	...	Elvira Sharack
Robert Symonds	...	Reverend Andrew Pike
Heidi Bohay	...	Ann Leahy
Maylo McCaslin	...	Sheryl Leahy
Carole Goldman	...	Elondra Sharack
Stacy Keach Sr.	...	Rev. Henry Maier
Kim Marie	...	Mary Shire
Billy Jayne	...	Justin Leahy (as Billy Jacoby)
Johnny Doran	...	Charlie
Bennett Liss	...	Arty
Joshua Cadman	...	Arlen (as Josh Cadman)

Storyline

A family moves into a long-condemned New England household with a big pond out back that everybody loves to swim in. Soon, however, they find that the pond was the site of the execution- by-drowning of a witch three hundred years before, and she's back to revenge herself on anybody nearby, whether they're Catholic or not.

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Plot Keywords:

slasher | video nasty | murder of a child | psychotronic film | supernatural power | 

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Taglines:

The victims who died were the lucky ones.

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Genres:

Horror

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Certificate:

Unrated

Did You Know?

Trivia

James Houghton had quit smoking eight years before he was cast as Rev. David Thompson. Director James W. Roberson insisted that the character smoke, but Houghton was hesitant because he didn't want to relapse. Roberson convinced him to do it and Houghton picked up smoking again for the next ten years.

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Goofs

When Arty is hurled against the ceiling in the beginning, the rig holding him aloft is visible just before his head hits the ceiling in the long shot. The next shot is a closeup of his head and shoulders actually hitting, and the rig is gone.

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Quotes

Rev. David Thompson: How long has this violence been going on?
Elvira Sharack: Since 1692.
Rev. David Thompson: That's almost 300 years!
Elvira Sharack: My, you are clever!

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Connections

Referenced in Lake of Fire: James Houghton on Superstition (2019)

User Reviews

This isn't bad at all

I was surprised by this low budget horror movie. It isn't a masterpiece, but overall it's well done - certainly better than THE AMITYVILLE HORROR. Things happen in this movie that take you by surprise - both genuine shocks, and seeing stuff you usually never see in horror movies! And there are some splatter scenes that will really take your attention. You probably won't see this on TV, (and if you do, it'll be severely cut), so do some detective work in the video stores in your area. You won't be disappointed.

Details

Country:

Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

2 January 1985 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Witch

Filming Locations:

Garbutt House, 1809 Apex Ave. Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Carolco Entertainment, Panaria

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1