''Something Evil'' is a 1972 American TV movie starring

Sandy Dennis Sandra Dale Dennis (April 27, 1937 – March 2, 1992) was an American actress. She made her film debut in the drama '' Splendor in the Grass'' (1961). For her performance in the comedy-drama film '' Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?'' (1966), she ...

Darren McGavin Darren McGavin (born William Lyle Richardson; May 7, 1922 – February 25, 2006) was an American actor. McGavin began his career working as a set painter for Columbia Pictures. In 1954, he originated roles in Broadway productions of '' My Three ...

and

Ralph Bellamy Ralph Rexford Bellamy (June 17, 1904 – November 29, 1991) was an American actor whose career spanned 65 years on stage, film, and television. During his career, he played leading roles as well as supporting roles, garnering acclaim and award ...

. Directed by

Steven Spielberg Steven Allan Spielberg ( ; born December 18, 1946) is an American filmmaker. A major figure of the New Hollywood era and pioneer of the modern blockbuster, Spielberg is widely regarded as one of the greatest film directors of all time and is ...

, the screenplay was written by

Robert Clouse Robert Clouse (March 6, 1928 – February 4, 1997) was an American film director and producer, known primarily for his work in the action/adventure and martial arts genres. He died on February 4, 1997, in Oregon of kidney failure. Clouse dir ...

Plot

A married couple with two young children move into a Pennsylvania farmhouse that turns out to be inhabited by demons. Paul is a TV producer and his wife Marjorie is an artist. The home and countryside seem idyllic until strange things start to occur. The sound of a baby's crying wakes Marjorie several times and ultimately leads to a creepy discovery. Paul's colleague and an employee die in a mysterious accident when driving away from the farmhouse. Harry attempts to warn the family about the potential evil possessing their property. Marjorie slowly unravels. She believes that the evil in the house is possessing her and wants to leave. She believes she has become a danger to her children, but an ex-farmhand enlightens her to the real source of danger—Satan.

Cast

as Marjorie Worden *

as Paul Worden *

as Harry Lincoln *

Jeff Corey Jeff Corey (born Arthur Zwerling; August 10, 1914 – August 16, 2002) was an American stage and screen actor. He was blacklisted in the 1950s and became an acting coach for a period, before returning to film and television work in the 1960s. ...

as Gehrmann *

Johnny Whitaker John Orson Whitaker, Jr. (born December 13, 1959) is an American actor notable for several film and television performances during his childhood. The redheaded Whitaker played Jody Davis on ''Family Affair'' from 1966 to 1971. He originated the r ...

as Stevie Worden * John Rubinstein as Ernest Lincoln * David Knapp as John * Laurie Hagen as Beth * Herb Armstrong as Schiller * Margaret Avery as Irene * Norman Bartold as Mr. Hackett * Sheila Bartold as Mrs. Hackett * Lois Battle as Mrs. Faraday * Bella Bruck as Mrs. Gehrmann * Lynn Cartwright as Secretary

Filming locations

* Golden Oak Ranch, Newhall, California * Studio City, California

Production

Spielberg directed ''Something Evil'' immediately after his television movie ''

Duel A duel is an arranged engagement in combat between two people with matched weapons. During the 17th and 18th centuries (and earlier), duels were mostly single combats fought with swords (the rapier and later the small sword), but beginning in ...

'' (1971), and it aired in January 1972. Spielberg himself has a cameo as a party guest in one scene, as does actor and script doctor Carl Gottlieb, who would later also have a small role (and act as script doctor) in Spielberg's '' Jaws'' (1975)

Reception

While the majority of critics have dismissed ''Something Evil'', Neil Sinyard wrote: "Spielberg's direction is nothing short of magnificent. There are splendid montages as mother andy Dennispaints and creates models and mobiles that will eventually be significant in resisting the evil spells; dazzling dissolves and sinister camera placement for stealthy, apprehensive entrances into fearful places; and...a

Hitchcockian Hitchcockian films are those made by various filmmakers, with the styles and themes similar to those of Alfred Hitchcock. Characteristics Elements considered Hitchcockian include: *Climactic plot twist. *The cool platinum blonde. *The presenc ...

sense of the moment to throw away explanatory dialogue (the explanation for the house's past) when it is less interesting than the mystery and menace."Sinyard, Neil. ''The Films of Steven Spielberg''. Bison Books, 1986. p. 17

Song

The movie features the "Apple Bar Candy Song" by Charlie Marie Gordon. It appears in the film performed by Laurie Hagen for a commercial that Darren McGavin's character is filming. The song has been spoofed several times.

Home Media

''Something Evil'' was released on VHS by "CBS/Fox Video" Japan in 1993. Issued in a mid-sized plastic case with insert artwork and the words (in English) "DIGITALLY PROCESSED" on the back of the sleeve.

References

External links

* {{Steven Spielberg 1972 television films 1972 films 1972 horror films 1970s horror thriller films American horror thriller films American haunted house films Films directed by Steven Spielberg CBS films American horror television films 1970s English-language films 1970s American films English-language horror thriller films