''Something Evil'' is a 1972 American

made-for-television A television film, alternatively known as a television movie, made-for-TV film/movie or TV film/movie, is a feature-length film that is produced and originally distributed by or to a television network, in contrast to theatrical films made fo ...

horror film 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 rec ...

, Darren McGavin 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 ...

. Directed by Steven Spielberg, the screenplay was written by

Robert Clouse Robert Clouse (March 6, 1928 – February 4, 1997) was an American film director and film producer, producer, known primarily for his work in the action film, action/adventure and martial arts film, martial arts genres. He died on February 4, 1 ...

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 crying wakes Marjorie up 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 becomes slowly unravelled. 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.

Cast

as Marjorie Worden * Darren McGavin as Paul Worden *

as Harry Lincoln * Jeff Corey 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 also originated ...

as Stevie Worden *

John Rubinstein John Rubinstein (born December 8, 1946) is an American actor, composer and director. Early life Rubinstein is the son of Polish parents. His mother, Aniela (née Młynarska), a dancer and writer, was a Roman Catholic native of Warsaw, the dau ...

as Ernest Lincoln * David Knapp as John * Laurie Hagen as Beth * Herb Armstrong as Schiller *

Margaret Avery Margaret Avery (born April 15, 1944) is an American actress and singer. She began her career appearing on stage and later had starring roles in films including '' Cool Breeze'' (1972), ''Which Way Is Up?'' (1977), ''Scott Joplin'' (1977), and ''T ...

as Irene *

Norman Bartold Norman Hillman Bartold (August 6, 1928 – May 28, 1994) was an American film and television actor. He played Mr. Brody in eight episodes of the American television sitcom '' Teachers Only''. He also played the District Attorney Donahue in the ...

as Mr. Hackett * Sheila Bartold as Mrs. Hackett * Lois Battle as Mrs. Faraday * Bella Bruck as Mrs. Gehrmann *

Lynn Cartwright Lynn Cartwright (born Doralyn E. Cartwright; February 27, 1927 – January 2, 2004) was an American character actress known for her performance as the older version of Geena Davis' character, Dottie Hinson, in the 1992 film ''A League of Th ...

as Secretary

Filming locations

Golden Oak Ranch Golden Oak Ranch is an 890-acre (360 ha) movie ranch owned by the Walt Disney Studios subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company that serves as a filming location and backlot. The ranch is off of Placerita Canyon Road outside of Newhall, Santa ...

Newhall, California Newhall is the southernmost and oldest community in the city of Santa Clarita, California. Prior to the 1987 consolidation of Canyon Country, Saugus, Newhall, and Valencia into the city of Santa Clarita, it was an unincorporated area. It was ...

Studio City Studio City is a neighborhood in the city of Los Angeles, California, in the southeast San Fernando Valley, just west of the Cahuenga Pass. It is named after the studio lot that was established in the area by film producer Mack Sennett in 1927, ...

Los Angeles Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the List of municipalities in California, largest city in the U.S. state, state of California and the List of United States cities by population, sec ...

California California is a state in the Western United States, located along the Pacific Coast. With nearly 39.2million residents across a total area of approximately , it is the most populous U.S. state and the 3rd largest by area. It is also the m ...

Production

Spielberg created ''Something Evil'' immediately after his television movie '' Duel'' (1971), and it aired in January 1972.

Reception

While the majority of critics have dismissed ''Something Evil'', Neil Sinyard wrote of the film: "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 presence ...

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 Darren McGavin's character is filming. The song has been spoofed several times.

References

External links

* * Something Evil * {{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 network films American horror television films 1970s English-language films 1970s American films