Home for the Holidays (VHS, 1991)

I was about eight years old when this premiered on the ABC Movie Of The Week and remember being terrified by the "preview" lead-in, let alone the movie itself! I'll always remember Sally Field hiding in the woods, trying to escape a pitch-fork wielding lunatic in a yellow mack. Great fun with an awesome cast. Jessica Walter, fresh off bravura work in "Play Misty For Me", chews the scenery as the raving alcoholic contingent of four sisters who reunite on a stormy Christmas eve at the request of their ailing father, played by Walter Brennan in his last film role. Seems the old duffer is convinced his considerably younger wife is trying to do away with him and wants his daughters to kill her first. Meanwhile, an unknown killer is lurking about the secluded estate, hell bent on ruining the holidays for everybody. Is it really chief suspect Julie Harris who's doing the butchering? Admittedly a ridiculous premise, but one that makes for some vintage 70's camp! Film boasts a great score and a supporting cast that includes Eleanor Parker and Jill Haworth. If you are a fan of the genre, you owe it to yourself!

I fell in love with this movie as a young girl. I was discouraged when I could not find a place to rent it from, but was thrilled be able to buy it so cheaply. Its not a masterpiece, but it does have a stellar cast which makes the strange plot line believable. If you are looking for an edge-of-your-seat thriller, then you might not find it here; however, if you are looking for a fun mystery-then this one should fit the bill. It makes one miss the days of old when a good mystery could be watched without having to figure out all the twists and turns that leaves you exhausted, longing for the ending. Happy Watching.