now that I have attained cult status…
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SpiritOfTheTv — 21 years ago(February 07, 2005 08:02 PM)
I have been tracking down the title of this movie for the longest time. I feel very exhilarated to have finally found the name of it, now I know what to look for. The next quest will be to track down a copy. I really hope that film distributors catch wind of the publics interest in this movie, and start producing copies to be sold in stores.
If there is going to be a Re-Make of DGTS, I really hope that primal fear element experienced in the original can be preserved. I wish that the remake has that authentic 1970ish; early 80ish horror flick feel to it. Saying so, indulging on special effects and incorporating a fast paced cinematography common among todays horror flicks, should be avoided. Thats not what the original was about.
Horror films were so much better back then, todays horror flicks just dont strike that kind of arousal anymore. Today, they resemble more of a video game, rather that campy, savory feel to it. Then again, the great horror flicks of the 1970s probably conditioned me somewhat. There really wasnt much gore in this movie, Richard Lang I assume, knew how to strike a chord with the audiences fear through some rather shocking scenes.
I hope the producers can learn from the failures of prior remakes, and not make the same mistakes in this project. Somehow, a bad remake taints the sanctity of the original. However, it works the opposite way too; there have been some great remakes of movies that were relatively obscure.
Anyway, DGTS was among a short list of those horror flicks that left me with a sense of nostalgia.
For those who enjoyed this movie, here are a few similar Closet Classics from around that time, which I recently tracked down and discovered the title. Chances are you probably liked them too.
The Sentinel
The scene of the lead actress recently deceased father walking around in her apartment was totally scary. There were other scenes that I had recalled from watching the movie almost 30 years ago. As it turned out, there were many popular actors and actresses who played in the movie, such as; Chris Sarandon, Burgess Meredith, Christopher Walken, Beverly D'Angelo, John Carradine, Ava Gardner, and a young up and coming Tom Berenger. Definitely worth checking out!
Burnt Offerings
Lost classic! I remember watching this one on TV, not sure if it was a MFTV flick but the time frame matched up with the release year.
One of the most memorable scenes came when the family tried fleeing the house, only to be stopped by a Tree extending its Roots and Branches, to reach out and stop the car. The house just refused to let them leave. Karen Black, Oliver Reed, and Bette Davis head up a veteran horror flick cast. Can a cast get any better than that! I actually use to think Burnt Offerings and DGTS were the same movie. After a couple of decades, I guess you could confuse them after a while, very similar movies (Haunted House, batty old woman; Ruth Gordon - dgts/Bette Davis burnt offerings and a menacing ghostly figure (Oldest sibling dgts/ The Chauffeur burnt offerings). Very interesting, scary movie to say the least.
Prophecy
Very interesting plot. I can watch this one over and over again.
Dance of the Dwarfs
I found this movie interesting, the most memorable things about the movie was the little ewok looking things and their red eyes, the crew leaving in a Huey, and the song during the closing credits.
There are a few more out there I have yet to find the name of, but the thrill of the chase is half the fun. -
mista005 — 21 years ago(February 16, 2005 09:07 AM)
Wow! It's amazing how many people were affected by this little tv movie from 1982. But I'm one as well. There were several old movies that I remembered bits and pieces of from childhood, which I eventually rediscovered ("Dark Night of the Scarecrow", "The Girl, the Gold Watch and Everything"), but this was the absolute most haunting of them all. I've tried for years to find the title of this movie by searching for key words from the few scenes I remembered (pizza cutter, bathtub electrocution) but I always came up blank. Then last week I came across it by accident on another website, checked it out here, and literally screamed! Well, I got my copy off of ebay and watched it last night and it actually lived up to my memories. What was it about this movie that haunted so many people? I suppose it was the imagery which was so potent or the overall mood of the piece. Either that or they were running some subliminal tests on us! Anyway, as I was watching it again I felt that it was definitely worthy of a remake, and lo and beholdNed Wynn is already on it! Well, good luck Ned. It looks like you have some dedicated fans and you can count me in too. Just don't let Hollywood mess with your vision, cuz you know if they get the chance to beep it up they will.
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tracaroon — 21 years ago(February 17, 2005 11:56 AM)
Hi All - yet another fan of this movie here! As with the rest of you I saw it when I was very young (under
and it has stayed with me since. I ordered a copy from ebay a few days ago & can't wait to see it again. Ned - this film definitely helped kickstart my interest in horror - along with Carrie, The Fury and Scanners - as far as I'm concerned it's up there with those! -
rokalilbit — 21 years ago(February 18, 2005 05:35 PM)
Add me to the list of fans. I found the title of the movie by doing a google search of "pizza cutter" and horror, I think. The scene I remember most vividly is of course, the pizza cutter, but I also remember the scene where they had the car wreck and one of the girls had tied the other girl's shoelaces together and she couldn't escape the burning car. At least I think that was DGTS. Was it? I'm going to try to get a copy on Ebay to refresh my memory. Good luck with the re-make! They just don't make movies like they used to
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Keylimepie — 21 years ago(March 12, 2005 12:25 PM)
Yes, rokalilbit, the tied shoelaces is DGTS. In fact, that is one of the worst of the terrors when you think about it. A joke, really common, a practical joke and your sister burns to death. I must be really twisted, now that I think about it!
NW -
tornadomatt2 — 20 years ago(April 27, 2005 10:40 PM)
Hi-
I just came across this thread in my own search for this movie. I followed the ebay suggestions and am about to buy one. But guess what? I'm a bit freaked out now because it's 1:30 in the morning and I'm remembering how scary the ending of this movie was. In fact, I've only seen the last half hour. And I'm freaked! I'm 38, dammit! What have you done to me??
Anyway-good job! Thanks for the heebie-jeebies.
bbmcrae -
bryan61 — 20 years ago(May 05, 2005 02:01 PM)
How did you find the copy of the movie. I looked on Ebay and couldnt find it.
It too was one of those childhood films that always stuck with me. The sight of the girl under the bed staring with psychotic eyes was creepy as heck and still is to this day.
Someone tell where on ebay to find it.
Cant wait for the remake, but some how I feel we will all be disappointed. -
thekingofplain — 20 years ago(May 11, 2005 12:21 PM)
NED!
Awesome that you are here. No other film in TV history has stuck in my mind like yours. I must say that it scared me more than any other film on TV or otherwise at the time. I literally obeyed the title. Congrats on having so many fans of this film. I would love to get a copy of this. The pizza cutter and the end was what stuck in my head. Man, you fashoined an incredibly scary film. -
Celephais1 — 20 years ago(May 16, 2005 01:34 PM)
Ned,
Dude, you rule! I've been looking for this movie on IMDB for ages and finally came across this posting when I went to the site for "Dominion: Prequel to the Exorcist" and saw that someone had started a new thread their called "Scariest Movies Ever?" Well, low and behold, DGTS was a title thrown out by a couple of people on the board, along with the original "Exorcist" and "The Shining".
That's pretty good company for your flick, don't ya think?
I agree with everything that the other posters have written here. DGTS is one of the scariest movies ever, and a lost cult gem.
They really don't make 'em like they used to in the 1970's and early 80's. Back then, I seem to remember seeing a lot of super made-for-TV horror flicks on ABC. "Burnt Offerings" sticks out in my mind, as does this thing made called "Bad Ronald", which was about a schizophrenic teenager living in a secret room in his mother's house. When his mother dies, a new family buys the house, and ol' Ron just has to pull some serious mischief on them.
I wish you much luck with the new production of DGTS. Your flick is an inspiration to me. I'm now in the process of shopping around my first horror script, and I don't think I would have thought of trying my hand in this business if DGTS hadn't scared the p*ss out of me at age 11.
Take care,
Celephais1 -
sabbsx — 20 years ago(June 14, 2005 09:11 AM)
I searched for this film for year's. like most people on here I couldn't for the life of me remember the name! (god bless google)
I watched it last night and dear lord! it still scared the be-jesus out of me!
The thing that worries me about a remake is that it won't retain it's creepiness. (ie boogeyman re-make and suchlike) may I suggest christopher nolan as director?
He didn't bugger up batman.. -
rugreus — 20 years ago(July 12, 2005 11:06 AM)
I am so excited I found you guys. Ned, this movie scared the crap out of my sister and I when we watched it. I was 8 years old. We still talk about it. I am still haunted by the tied shoelaces scene. Every once in a while it just creeps into my mind and I remember the feeling I had when I watched it for the first time. Scary stuff, great movie. Hope the remake happens. And I hope you write some more great stuff.
RMG -
sherryschramek — 20 years ago(July 08, 2005 04:57 PM)
My brother and I loved this as kids. Recently I found a copy and we were able to see it as adults I mean it had to be 25 years or longer since we saw it LOL
I found this pizza cutter magnet at Bed/Bath/Beyond. I got it for my brother. I wrote on the blade w/a Sharpie marker "little pieces for you and me".
Whenever we have pizza together, my brother says "Big pieces for daddy, little pieces for you and me"
We love movies. This was one of our faves. -
wndrlnd2324 — 20 years ago(July 15, 2005 07:34 PM)
This is really amazing!! I too was affected by DGTS and I only saw it ONCE. I remember this movie from when I was a child. I am now 28, and over the years I have had the same memories, and lack thereof (I had a hard time remembering the titleall I could remember was Don'tsomething somethingSleep.) as you all did. I remember all of the death scenes and as I read what you guys have written, I recall even more details. The one scene that stuck out the most in my mind was with the Watermelon.
I also tried to find anyone that knew what I was talking about when I mentioned the story, to no avail. I am so glad that I happened across another movie with the word "Don't" in the title. It's what lead me here today!
NED,
Good luck on the re-write, I hope your lack of communication over the last couple of months means you're in production and are sworn to secrecy!! I look forward to that new release date!
Now, I have no choice but to track down a copy of the original myself -
sabbsx — 20 years ago(August 04, 2005 02:58 PM)
http://search.ebay.co.uk/_W0QQsassZharbinger1976
hope this helps.
Sabbs. -
sOmEOnE_HeRE — 20 years ago(August 07, 2005 03:59 AM)
I am 32y and, as many of you here, was scared to death by this amazing movie when I was a kid. It does deserves a remake although I am a little bit afraid that my childhood memories will stick with the original one forever.
Good luck, Ned, and let us know about the progress of the remake!!