Don't Open the Door1979
What makes this film worth watching?
3 members like this review
Don't worry about or story or dialogue--after all, the director didn't. Instead, luxuriate in the kaleidoscopic atmosphere of perversion. Pinks and greens abound in the early part and give the movie a queasy, seasick quality. By the end, things have gotten more stylized, with equal parts Herk "Carnival of Souls" Harvey, Hitchcock, and Italian horror. Really a good example of doing a lot with a little. The closeups and low angle shots are used to great effect, and the soundtrack is nifty (with spidery harpsichords galore and semi-subliminal thumping to quicken the pulse). Hazy, incoherent, and menacing--plus bad skin and dirty teeth. A good bad trip.
Starring
- Susan Bracken - Amanda Post
- Hugh Feagin - Nick
- James N. Harrell - Dr. Crawther
- Rhea Macadams - Grandmother
- Larry O'Dwyer - Claude Kearn
- Gene Ross - Judge Stemple
- Annabelle Weenick - Annie
Edited By
Written By
Music By
Member Reviews (7)
Don't worry about or story or dialogue--after all, the director didn't. Instead, luxuriate in the kaleidoscopic atmosphere of perversion. Pinks and greens abound in the early part and give the movie a queasy, seasick quality. By the end, things have gotten more stylized, with equal parts Herk "Carnival of Souls" Harvey, Hitchcock, and Italian horror. Really a good example of doing a lot with a little. The closeups and low angle shots are used to great effect, and the soundtrack is nifty (with spidery harpsichords galore and semi-subliminal thumping to quicken the pulse). Hazy, incoherent, and menacing--plus bad skin and dirty teeth. A good bad trip.
This movie is so demented. From the the credits onward, DON'T OPEN THE DOOR slithers along, creeping and crawling like a lizard. This movie does more to disturb the viewer with just a few close-ups than most films can generate in 90 minutes. A really effective shocker.
4 ½ Scary redneck giallo makes the most of its shoebox budget with queasy sets of pink, yellow and green, claustrophobic close-ups, menacing shadows, edgy camera work and an unnerving soundtrack. Such trashy good fun, I immediately had to re-watch it.
HERES ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF A COOL THRILLER WITH MORE THAN THE USUAL TWISTS AND TURNS AND XTREME AND WEIRD DREAM SEQUENCES ALSO SPECTACULAR DIRECTING AS WELL AS ACTING AND A VERY FAST PACED MOVIE AS WELL!
While the narrative isn't very satisfying, this is one of the most visually arresting low budget American horror films of its era that I've seen. The camera work is especially impressive considering its obviously miniscule budget. The tough, no BS heroine is also refreshing to see for a horror film of any era.
I enjoyed this 1979 mystery flick. It brings back memories of similar movies of this type which were produced in the 70s.
No subtitles! :(