The Worst Film Ever

So much average

Excellent adaptation.

All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

But instead, she's holding the man hostage whom she believes impregnated her daughter, rejected her call for help when she told him that she was pregnant and then committed suicide. Winters seems to be playing a religious freak, cursing Bradford Dillman out at every turn as she keeps him locked in a cage in her basement. Shelley is fascinating to watch, an intense method actress who takes every action seriously as her character gets more and more demented. Dillman's partner (Stuart Whitman), wife (Carol Ann Rosen) and her friend (Leslie Charleson) try their best to find out what happened to him, with Charleson taking Rossen to see a "clairvoyant". Rossen seems intent on emulating Winters' performance, the wrong choice to make. Charleson, "General Hospital's" Dr. Monica Quartermaine for 40 years, is much more relaxed, reminding me of a young Farrah. Refreshingly short, this is one of several memorable TV "hag horror" movies of the week (and one of several made with Shelley) is fun, a bit spooky, and when Winters is on screen, mesmerizing.

Husband and father Bradford Dillman has an important briefcase full of documents switched on purpose by a vengeful woman hoping to lure him into her basement trap; that lady is none other than Shelley Winters, once again showing her mettle as a forceful, off-balanced foe. Well-made TV-movie isn't the straightforward thriller it may first appear to be. The missing man's wife, who is 'sensitive' to psychic vibrations, consults with a professional mind-reader to locate her husband (after the police department proves to be indifferent, natch). It all leads to a somewhat strenuous conclusion that piles up both bodies and improbabilities. Winters, however, is a villainess to contend with right up to the end; she pulls off some creepy dramatic scenes without going too far over the top (Kathy Bates might have studied this performance before "Misery"). Interesting work from the entire cast, particularly Carol Rossen, a real wild card as Dillman's spouse (you can't quite get a reading on her, which works for the role). Joseph Stefano adapted his teleplay from a novel by Elizabeth Davis, which doesn't bear close scrutiny. Dominic Frontiere composed the eerie music; talented John Alonzo was the cinematographer.

Revenge is a good little ABC made for TV movie of the week starring Shelley Winters. It begins with a woman (Winters) stealing a businessman's briefcase. The man named Mark Hembric meets up with Amanda Hilton (Winters) at her home in order to retrieve the case, but she has bigger plans for him. She knocks him out and locks him in a cage down in the basement. We soon find out that she's locked him up because she believes he had an affair with her daughter, got her pregnant and then told her to get an abortion. The young girl killed herself shortly after that. Mark's wife Dianne approaches a psychic to find out where her husband has gone. They end up at the house where Mark is being held. Dianne begins to have psychic feelings of her own and believes that Mark is the house somewhere. All of this leads to a surprisingly satisfying ending in which Dianne and the psychic stop Amanda from killing them all. There is a very dark and creepy feeling to the movie. Shelly Winters plays the role of the "crazy woman" brilliantly as always. Revenge is impossible to find in stores or for online purchase, I watched it online - probably the only way to see it. But this is a must see for fans of suspenseful seventies Made-For-TV movies.8/10

REVENGE is a beautiful TV film that stays with you even after you watch it. It's a decent film written by Joseph Stefano the creative genius behind Alfred Hitchcock's PSYCHO and the slasher TV film HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS. It's a great little rarity that I have and I am glad that I have this film.SUMMARY: Frank Klaner (Bradford Dillman) loses his briefcase at his place of work. Amanda Hilton (Shelley Winters) phones Mr. Klaner, telling him she has his briefcase and can pick it up at her home. He goes late night to her home, where he is knocked out and locked in a cage in the woman's basement. Dianne Klaner (Carol Eve Rossner), the man's wife calls the police and has them investigate. But why is Frank locked up? What has he done? Can the police find him before it is too late?I love the setting in the disgusting, dark basement. I really love this movie. The acting is great, especially from Winters and Dillman who have a wonderful relationship onscreen. Winters is terribly menacing and that's what makes the film memorable. RECOMMENDATION: A Taste of Evil (1971) (TV) which stars Barbara Stanwyck. **** stars, 10/10. SEE THIS MOVIE IF THE CHANCE COMES UP!!!!!!