''Cathy's Curse'' (
French: ''Une si gentille petite fille''), also released in Canada under the title ''Cauchemares'',
is a 1977
supernatural horror
Horror is a genre of fiction which is intended to frighten, scare, or disgust. Horror is often divided into the sub-genres of psychological horror and supernatural horror, which is in the realm of speculative fiction. Literary historian J. A ...
film directed by Eddy Matalon and starring
Alan Scarfe, Beverly Murray, and Randi Allen. The film follows a young girl who is possessed by the spirit of her deceased aunt. A co-production between Canada and France, it was shot on location in
Westmount and
Montreal
Montreal ( ; officially Montréal, ) is the second-most populous city in Canada and most populous city in the Canadian province of Quebec. Founded in 1642 as '' Ville-Marie'', or "City of Mary", it is named after Mount Royal, the triple- ...
,
Quebec
Quebec ( ; )According to the Government of Canada, Canadian government, ''Québec'' (with the acute accent) is the official name in Canadian French and ''Quebec'' (without the accent) is the province's official name in Canadian English is ...
.
Though the film was critically panned upon initial release, with many deriding it as being overly derivative of other films of the period including
''The Exorcist'' and
''Carrie'', it has since become a
cult classic
A cult following refers to a group of fans who are highly dedicated to some person, idea, object, movement, or work, often an artist, in particular a performing artist, or an artwork in some medium. The lattermost is often called a cult classic. ...
, some calling the film "so bad it's good".
Plot
In 1947, Robert Gimble flees with his young daughter, Laura, enraged to find that his wife has left with their son, George. Robert crashes their car into a snowbank, and he and Laura are burned alive in the car.
Thirty years later, George returns to his family home with his wife, Vivian, who is suffering from
depression following a
miscarriage
Miscarriage, also known in medical terms as a spontaneous abortion and pregnancy loss, is the death of an embryo or fetus before it is able to survive independently. Miscarriage before 6 weeks of gestation is defined by ESHRE as biochemical ...
, as well as the couple's eight-year-old daughter, Cathy. While exploring the home, Cathy uncovers an old doll along with a portrait of her aunt Laura in the attic. Meanwhile, Vivian becomes acquainted with the local neighbors, one of whom is a psychic medium who has a vision of Laura and her father's death while inside the home.
Cathy's behavior soon begins to change rapidly: She is cruel to the other neighborhood children, and exhibits destructive
telekinetic
Psychokinesis (from grc, ψυχή, , soul and grc, κίνησις, , movement, label=ㅤ), or telekinesis (from grc, τηλε, , far off and grc, κίνησις, , movement, label=ㅤ), is a hypothetical psychic ability allowing a person ...
powers. While home alone with Cathy, Mary, her nanny and housekeeper, dies after falling from a window. Cathy's violent and abusive behavior continues to alienate those around her, particularly her mother, who sinks deeper into a
major depressive state. The psychic later visits the home, and finds Cathy in the attic. The psychic is confronted by a disturbing vision of herself, disfigured and burned. Later, Cathy tries to commit
suicide
Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one's own death. Mental disorders (including depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, personality disorders, anxiety disorders), physical disorders (such as chronic fatigue syndrome), and ...
by drowning herself in a river, but is saved by George.
George dismisses Vivian's fears that Cathy may be
possessed or under the influence of supernatural forces connected to their house, dismissing the notions as delusions. One night, when George is away at work, a bedridden Vivian is left home alone with Cathy, who is watched by Paul, an elderly neighbor. Using her telekinetic powers, Cathy murders Paul, and Vivian subsequently discovers his disfigured corpse outside. Upstairs, she finds Cathy, covered in burn scars, who reveals herself to be Laura possessing Cathy's body. George, unable to contact Vivian or Paul by phone, returns to the house, where Cathy and Vivian are faced off in a confrontation. The three stare at one another, and Cathy grows tearful. Lying between them is the doll, impaled with a shard of glass.
Cast
Production
The film marked the first English-language feature by
French director Eddy Matalon.
[ It was filmed in on location in Westmount and ]Montreal
Montreal ( ; officially Montréal, ) is the second-most populous city in Canada and most populous city in the Canadian province of Quebec. Founded in 1642 as '' Ville-Marie'', or "City of Mary", it is named after Mount Royal, the triple- ...
, Quebec
Quebec ( ; )According to the Government of Canada, Canadian government, ''Québec'' (with the acute accent) is the official name in Canadian French and ''Quebec'' (without the accent) is the province's official name in Canadian English is ...
, Canada.
Release
The film was premiered in Montreal on July 29, 1977. It was later given regional releases in Canada, opening in Vancouver
Vancouver ( ) is a major city in western Canada, located in the Lower Mainland region of British Columbia. As the most populous city in the province, the 2021 Canadian census recorded 662,248 people in the city, up from 631,486 in 2016. Th ...
, British Columbia on November 11, 1977, and opened in Ottawa
Ottawa (, ; Canadian French: ) is the capital city of Canada. It is located at the confluence of the Ottawa River and the Rideau River in the southern portion of the province of Ontario. Ottawa borders Gatineau, Quebec, and forms the core ...
, Ontario the following week, November 18, 1977.
Critical reception
''TV Guide
TV Guide is an American digital media company that provides television program TV listings, listings information as well as entertainment and television-related news.
The company sold its print magazine division, TV Guide Magazine, TV Guide Mag ...
'' gave a negative review of the film, calling it a "dull Canadian ''Exorcist
In some religions, an exorcist (from the Greek „ἐξορκιστής“) is a person who is believed to be able to cast out the devil or performs the ridding of demons or other supernatural beings who are alleged to have possessed a person ...
''-inspired horror film .... ull of bloody mutilations, cheesy makeup, and inept special effects."
In 2017, the film was featured on a Halloween-themed episode of Red Letter Media
Red Letter Media, LLC is an American film and video production company operated by independent filmmakers Mike Stoklasa (formerly of GMP Pictures) and Jay Bauman (formerly of Blanc Screen Cinema). It was formed by Stoklasa in 2004 while he was li ...
's ''Best of the Worst'', together with '' Hack-O-Lantern'' and ''Vampire Assassin
''Vampire Assassin'' is a 2005 direct-to-DVD film directed, written by, and starring martial artist Ron Hall. The film is notable for its cameo from Rudy Ray Moore in one of his final roles.
Plot
When protagonist Derek Washington (Hall) was jus ...
''. The film received lukewarm reception for its moments of unintentional humor and unclear plot elements, with the hosts calling the film "frustrating".
Home media
The film was released in April 2017 by Severin Films
Severin Films is an American film production and distribution company known for restoring and releasing cult films on DVD and Blu-ray.
History
The label was created in 2006 in Los Angeles, and other offices were founded in New York City and Lond ...
on Blu-ray
The Blu-ray Disc (BD), often known simply as Blu-ray, is a digital optical disc data storage format. It was invented and developed in 2005 and released on June 20, 2006 worldwide. It is designed to supersede the DVD format, and capable of s ...
with a restored print.
References
External links
*{{IMDb title, id=0075820
1977 films
1977 horror films
Canadian supernatural horror films
English-language Canadian films
Films about depression
Films about dolls
Films about spirit possession
Films about telekinesis
Films set in 1947
Films set in the 1970s
Films set in Montreal
Films shot in Montreal
21st Century Film Corporation films
1970s English-language films
1970s Canadian films