Don't Look in the Basement (1973)

Country of Origin: USA
Year of Production: 1973
Running Times: 89 mins     92 mins
Format: colour     35mm
Ratio:
Sound: mono

CREDITS

PRODUCTION
Production Companies: Camera 2 Productions / Century Films
Executive Producer: Walter L. Krusz
Producer: S.F. Brownrigg
Unit Manager: John Jacobie
Production Coordinator: Annabelle Weenick

SCRIPT
Script: Tim Pope, Thomas Pope (uncredited)

DIRECTION
Director: S.F. Brownrigg

PHOTOGRAPHY
Director of Photography: Robert Alcott
Camera Operator: Dale Johnson
Assistant Camera: David Cejka
Gaffer: Robert Dracup
Grips: Doug Reynolds, Robert Bethea

EDITING AND POST-PRODUCTION
Editor: Jerry Caraway
Assistant Editor: Lynn Lenau

MUSIC
Music: Robert Farrar

SOUND
Sound: Edward Motteram
Sound Effects: Brian Hooper

COSTUMES AND MAKE-UP
Make Up: Jill Esmond
Wardrobe: Florence Baker

SPECIAL EFFECTS
Special Effects: Jack Bennett

DESIGN AND SET CONSTRUCTION
Art Director: Lynda Pendleton

MISCELLANEOUS
Continuity: C.J. Feagin

LOCATIONS
Locations: Tehuacana, Texas, USA
Location Coordinators: Calvin Praytor, Joe Copeland, Joe Eakin

CAST

William Bill McGhee (Sam)
Jessie Lee Fulton (Jane St Claire)
Robert Dracup (Ray Daniels)
Harryette Warren (Jennifer D.)
Michael Harvey (Dr Stephens)
Jessie Kirby (Danny)
Hugh Feagin (Sergeant Jaffee)
Betty Chandler (Allyson King)
Camilla Carr (Harriet)
Gene Ross (Judge Oliver W. Cameron)
Anne MacAdams (real name: Annabelle Weenick) (Geraldine S. Masters)
Rosie Holotik (Nurse Charlotte Beale)
Rhea MacAdams (Mrs Callingham)

PLOT SUMMARY

Charlotte Beale takes up a new post as a nurse at the isolated Stephens Sanitarium onlyt to find that her new employer, Dr Stephens, has been killed by one of the patients. The hospital is now in the care of Dr Geraldine Masters who makes life difficult for her new recruit. Charlotte gradually begins to realise that there’s something very strange going on at the asylum and that not everyone is at they first seem.

CAPSULE REVIEW

A fabulous and all-too-often overlooked low-budgeter that tries hard to overcome its limitations with a sharply written script, some impressive performances and a dank, claustrophobic atmosphere. Not to everyone’s tastes but those turned on to its wayward charms will find it an unusual and unsettling film worthy of repeated viewings.

AVAILABILITY

UK
Video Distributors: Derann / Crystal

USA
Theatrical Distributors: Hallmark Releasing Corp.
Video Distributors: Gorgon Video; Liberty; Lost Domain; MPI Home Video; VCI Home Video; VidAmerica
DVD Distributor: VCI Home Video (DVD 8214)

CENSORSHIP HISTORY

Australia
Rating: R

Norway
Rating: 18

UK
Rating: banned

USA
Rating: R

TIMELINE

1999
August
24: USA - DVD release (VCI Home Video (DVD 8214))

POSTER TAGS

To avoid fainting, repeat: "It's only a movie..."

Not Recommended for Persons Over 30!

A feeling of unease crept over her....

ALTERNATIVE TITLES

The Forgotten - early title
Non guardare in cantina - Italian title
De sinnssykes redselshus – Norwegian video title

LINKS

FOOTAGE INCLUDED IN
House (1986)
Shiver and Shudder Show (2002)

SEE ALSO
Asylum (1972)
The Ninth Configuration (1980)

REFERENCES

PERIODICALS

The Dark Side no.50 (October 1995) pp.15-16
review

BOOKS

Hoffman's Guide to SF, Horror and Fantasy Movies 1991 - 1992 p.108
credits, review

The Seduction of the Gullible by John Gullidge p.67
credits, synopsis, review

KEYWORDS

axes, axe murders, psychiatric hospitals, psychopaths, video nasties

Last Updated: 19 October, 2009