Haunted (1991 film)
Encyclopedia
Haunted is a children’s comedy-horror film produced by Sandpiper Productions in 1989 and 1990 and released in 1991. It was written and produced by Warren Chaney
and directed by John Magyar. Beverly Wilson was the Executive Producer
for the film
, which stars Gabe Caravello, Hunter Lee Hughes, Parrish Nelson, Quincy Starnes, Trevor Tellepsen and James Gale.
Haunted tells the story of five children playing hooky from school who become unexpectedly trapped in a haunted castle where they encounter Dracula
, the Werewolf
, Hunchback
and Frankenstein's monster
.
The picture was shot on location in Santa Fe, Texas
and Galveston, Texas
. Filming was completed in 1990 and the picture distributed by Intercontinental Releasing Corporation
to theatres in 1991, and again in 1993. After acquisition by Metro-Goldwyn-Meyer, the movie was once more re-released in 1996.
mansion as the Frankenstein's monster
and a hunchbacked figure unload a coffin from a parked black hearse
. The hunchback accidentally drops the coffin
in the mud causing muffled cursing to emanate from the coffin’s interior.
Across town within a city’s dark streets a woman takes a shortcut through an alleyway. Suddenly, she hears footsteps behind her and quickens her pace, eventually breaking into a run. She stumbles, falling against wet garbage before colliding with a tall-cloaked figure.
Nearby, two teenagers Reggie Helsley (Steve Chizmadia) and Jessica Stuart (Nicole Feenstra) hear the woman’s scream and rush to help. Upon arriving, they see nothing but as they leave, a lifeless arms drops unseen across a fallen garbage bin.
In the early morning hours, three children wait with parked bikes at the entrance to the old mansion. Doc (Hunter Lee Hughes), Skeet (Gabe Caravello), and Curly (Trevor Tellepsen), are joined by two other children, Speck (Quincy Starnes) and Angela (Parrish Nelson). The children discuss plans to sneak away from school during a planned fire drill
, meet up again at the old house and spend the night. Each has convinced their parents they are staying overnight with a friend.
A shadowed figure watches from the darkness of the upper windows as the children exit on their bikes. A car pulls into the driveway and Realtor, John Helsley (Jack Adams) steps from the vehicle to exchange his “For Sale” sign with one that says, “Sold”. A second vehicle arrives and a very agitated dark-haired man (James Gale) leaps out. Learning the house has sold, the man screams hysterically, causing the realtor to quickly toss his signs into the trunk and drive away. From the window, unseen hands close the drapes.
The five young truants slip away from school during the fire drill
while across town – the dark-haired man rushes into a police station demanding to be locked up. He claims that he will change into a werewolf
with the evening’s full moon. The police ignore him whereupon he become violent and is locked in a cell. Meanwhile the children having entered the old mansion find themselves unexpectedly locked in and unable to escape. Soon they encounter the hunchback and Frankenstein's monster
.
With no way out, the children bravely separate to search for exits. Skeet accidentally falls through a hidden entrance into a cavernous-like room where he discovers a coffin adjacent to a stack of recently signed real estate documents. Skeet learns that Curly’s Dad was the realtor who sold the old house to a Count Vlad Drakulya. Abruptly the candlestick crashes to the floor and the coffin swings open. Count Vlad steps from the coffin motioning for Skeet to come forward. Vlad transforms into a large bat
, causing Skeet to run hysterically through the dark halls.
The sounds of a howling wolf echo as the full moon rises over the city jail. The police chief and his assistant rush to the cellblock where the dark-haired man was incarcerated only to discover the prisoner’s cell door ripped from its hinges and their prisoner gone.
Elsewhere in the old mansion
, the other children escape the hunchback
and rejoin Skeet who has escaped the flying bat. Skeet relates his misadventures and Doc, the most knowledgeable of the gang, informs them that Vlad is the real name for Dracula
. The Frankenstein's monster
discovers them causing them to flee. However, they abruptly run into the dark-haired man. The man tries to help the children escape, but is soon confronted by the hunchback. As they struggle, the man transforms into a werewolf who throws off the hunchback and begins stalking the children.
Reggie discovers a note written by his little brother. In the note, Curly tells Doc of the plans to spend the night in the haunted mansion. Jessica, whose brother is missing as well, joins Reggie as they rush to the old manor in search of the missing children.
The Frankenstein’s monster nearly captures Skeet and at the same time the hunchback
discovers the others. All rush up an old staircase only to encounter Dracula blocking their passage. The vampire revolves to face the werewolf who rushes headlong toward him. Dracula
raises his cape and transforms into a bat as the werewolf
leaps over the stairwell snatching the bat from the air and crashing to the floor below. The monster reaches for Skeet and stumbles, falls, and bounces down the long winding stairway. As the children recoil, Curly’s and Jessica burst through large French doors leading from the outside into the large ballroom
where the children are cornered.
The Frankenstein's monster rushes Reggie but screams in pain at the sounds of gunfire. Curly’s dad – the realtor, John Helsley, stands at the entrance with a large hunting rifle. As the creature staggers, Helsley fires repeatedly. The monster crashes to the floor as the father spins and fires his weapon, dropping the clubfooted hunchback
wildly swinging an axe at the children. Curly rushes into his father's arms, who explains that he was carrying the hunting rifle the brothers gave him for Father’s Day.
A huge bat settles behind Helsley, transforming into Dracula
. The vampire’s long arm sweeps the man and boy aside like feathers. The creature takes several quick steps and seizes Jessica. The twang of an archery
bow reverberates as Dracula screams in anguish and twists around with a wooden arrow protruding from his back. The vampire
collapses to the floor and crumbles into dust.
Sirens signal arriving police whom the father had phoned on his way to the old manor. Helsley exits with his sons along with Doc and Speck. Skeet and Angela turn to leave when something springs at Skeet causing him to faint. Regaining consciousness Skeet is startled once more as a small black cat leaps onto his chest. Skeet’s eyes widen and he faints again.
Angela nods her head and quips, “My hero!”
A bat flies through the doorway toward an upper window as the picture fades to black for the final credits.
Reviews were mostly favorable. Lawrence Sailes writes in a Turner Classic Movie Review, “Surprisingly for an overworked genre, Haunted is most enjoyable – even for an adult.” However James Packard, writing for Silver Screen Reviews says, “…the film is so enjoyable that one wishes the production had a greater budget together with a more experienced director.” He went on to say, “There is a lot that is up there on the screen and the picture is very entertaining.”
Haunted is recognized as the film debut for future film star, Hunter Lee Hughes. Hughes would later star in such films as Winner Takes All, Armenia, Project: X, and Tweakers.
The film was also the film debut for two more future actors, Steve Chizmadia and Nicole Feenstra. Chizmadia portrayed Curly’s brother, Reggie and Feenstra was Reggie’s girlfriend, Jessica. Chizmadia would later act in I Come in Peace and Celebrity Ghost Stories while Feenstra would appear in Dark Room Theatre and The Indictment.
Haunted marked actor James Gales second entry into film but his first starring role as the film's Wolfman. He would go on to leading roles in many films including The Return of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Good Girl, Bad Girl and The Grand Inquisitor.
(IRC) in 1991 and for reasons unexplained, once again in 1993. The picture was later acquired for continuing distribution by Metro-Goldwyn-Meyer in 1998.
Warren Chaney
Warren Herbert Chaney, Ph.D. is an American executive, author, filmmaker, behavioral scientist, entertainer, businessman and a pioneer in early television. In a career spanning four decades, Chaney wrote fifteen books, fourteen screenplays, and seventy-eight professional and nonprofessional...
and directed by John Magyar. Beverly Wilson was the Executive Producer
Executive producer
An executive producer is a producer who is not involved in any technical aspects of the film making or music process, but who is still responsible for the overall production...
for the film
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
, which stars Gabe Caravello, Hunter Lee Hughes, Parrish Nelson, Quincy Starnes, Trevor Tellepsen and James Gale.
Haunted tells the story of five children playing hooky from school who become unexpectedly trapped in a haunted castle where they encounter Dracula
Dracula
Dracula is an 1897 novel by Irish author Bram Stoker.Famous for introducing the character of the vampire Count Dracula, the novel tells the story of Dracula's attempt to relocate from Transylvania to England, and the battle between Dracula and a small group of men and women led by Professor...
, the Werewolf
Werewolf
A werewolf, also known as a lycanthrope , is a mythological or folkloric human with the ability to shapeshift into a wolf or an anthropomorphic wolf-like creature, either purposely or after being placed under a curse...
, Hunchback
Hunchback
Hunchback may refer to one of the following.*A derogatory term for a person who has severe kyphosis*The Hunchback of Notre Dame*Hunchback , an arcade and computer game from the 1980s*The Hunchback, a 1914 film featuring Lillian Gish...
and Frankenstein's monster
Frankenstein's monster
Frankenstein's monster is a fictional character that first appeared in Mary Shelley's novel, Frankenstein, or The Modern Prometheus. The creature is often erroneously referred to as "Frankenstein", but in the novel the creature has no name...
.
The picture was shot on location in Santa Fe, Texas
Santa Fe, Texas
Santa Fe is a city in Galveston County, Texas, United States. The town is named for the Santa Fe Railroad which runs through the town alongside State Highway 6.-History:...
and Galveston, Texas
Galveston, Texas
Galveston is a coastal city located on Galveston Island in the U.S. state of Texas. , the city had a total population of 47,743 within an area of...
. Filming was completed in 1990 and the picture distributed by Intercontinental Releasing Corporation
Intercontinental Releasing Corporation
The Intercontinental Releasing Corporation , was an American media company, primarily involved in the production and distribution of films and television programs. IRC was founded in September 1974 as the larger film studios' grip on domestic and international distribution diminished...
to theatres in 1991, and again in 1993. After acquisition by Metro-Goldwyn-Meyer, the movie was once more re-released in 1996.
Plot
Lightning flashes across the face of an old gothicGothic architecture
Gothic architecture is a style of architecture that flourished during the high and late medieval period. It evolved from Romanesque architecture and was succeeded by Renaissance architecture....
mansion as the Frankenstein's monster
Frankenstein's monster
Frankenstein's monster is a fictional character that first appeared in Mary Shelley's novel, Frankenstein, or The Modern Prometheus. The creature is often erroneously referred to as "Frankenstein", but in the novel the creature has no name...
and a hunchbacked figure unload a coffin from a parked black hearse
Hearse
A hearse is a funerary vehicle used to carry a coffin from a church or funeral home to a cemetery. In the funeral trade, hearses are often called funeral coaches.-History:...
. The hunchback accidentally drops the coffin
Coffin
A coffin is a funerary box used in the display and containment of dead people – either for burial or cremation.Contemporary North American English makes a distinction between "coffin", which is generally understood to denote a funerary box having six sides in plan view, and "casket", which...
in the mud causing muffled cursing to emanate from the coffin’s interior.
Across town within a city’s dark streets a woman takes a shortcut through an alleyway. Suddenly, she hears footsteps behind her and quickens her pace, eventually breaking into a run. She stumbles, falling against wet garbage before colliding with a tall-cloaked figure.
Nearby, two teenagers Reggie Helsley (Steve Chizmadia) and Jessica Stuart (Nicole Feenstra) hear the woman’s scream and rush to help. Upon arriving, they see nothing but as they leave, a lifeless arms drops unseen across a fallen garbage bin.
In the early morning hours, three children wait with parked bikes at the entrance to the old mansion. Doc (Hunter Lee Hughes), Skeet (Gabe Caravello), and Curly (Trevor Tellepsen), are joined by two other children, Speck (Quincy Starnes) and Angela (Parrish Nelson). The children discuss plans to sneak away from school during a planned fire drill
Fire drill
A fire drill is a method of practicing the evacuation of a building for a fire or other emergency. Generally, the emergency system is activated and the building is evacuated as though a real fire had occurred...
, meet up again at the old house and spend the night. Each has convinced their parents they are staying overnight with a friend.
A shadowed figure watches from the darkness of the upper windows as the children exit on their bikes. A car pulls into the driveway and Realtor, John Helsley (Jack Adams) steps from the vehicle to exchange his “For Sale” sign with one that says, “Sold”. A second vehicle arrives and a very agitated dark-haired man (James Gale) leaps out. Learning the house has sold, the man screams hysterically, causing the realtor to quickly toss his signs into the trunk and drive away. From the window, unseen hands close the drapes.
The five young truants slip away from school during the fire drill
Fire drill
A fire drill is a method of practicing the evacuation of a building for a fire or other emergency. Generally, the emergency system is activated and the building is evacuated as though a real fire had occurred...
while across town – the dark-haired man rushes into a police station demanding to be locked up. He claims that he will change into a werewolf
Werewolf
A werewolf, also known as a lycanthrope , is a mythological or folkloric human with the ability to shapeshift into a wolf or an anthropomorphic wolf-like creature, either purposely or after being placed under a curse...
with the evening’s full moon. The police ignore him whereupon he become violent and is locked in a cell. Meanwhile the children having entered the old mansion find themselves unexpectedly locked in and unable to escape. Soon they encounter the hunchback and Frankenstein's monster
Frankenstein's monster
Frankenstein's monster is a fictional character that first appeared in Mary Shelley's novel, Frankenstein, or The Modern Prometheus. The creature is often erroneously referred to as "Frankenstein", but in the novel the creature has no name...
.
With no way out, the children bravely separate to search for exits. Skeet accidentally falls through a hidden entrance into a cavernous-like room where he discovers a coffin adjacent to a stack of recently signed real estate documents. Skeet learns that Curly’s Dad was the realtor who sold the old house to a Count Vlad Drakulya. Abruptly the candlestick crashes to the floor and the coffin swings open. Count Vlad steps from the coffin motioning for Skeet to come forward. Vlad transforms into a large bat
Bat
Bats are mammals of the order Chiroptera "hand" and pteron "wing") whose forelimbs form webbed wings, making them the only mammals naturally capable of true and sustained flight. By contrast, other mammals said to fly, such as flying squirrels, gliding possums, and colugos, glide rather than fly,...
, causing Skeet to run hysterically through the dark halls.
The sounds of a howling wolf echo as the full moon rises over the city jail. The police chief and his assistant rush to the cellblock where the dark-haired man was incarcerated only to discover the prisoner’s cell door ripped from its hinges and their prisoner gone.
Elsewhere in the old mansion
Mansion
A mansion is a very large dwelling house. U.S. real estate brokers define a mansion as a dwelling of over . A traditional European mansion was defined as a house which contained a ballroom and tens of bedrooms...
, the other children escape the hunchback
Hunchback
Hunchback may refer to one of the following.*A derogatory term for a person who has severe kyphosis*The Hunchback of Notre Dame*Hunchback , an arcade and computer game from the 1980s*The Hunchback, a 1914 film featuring Lillian Gish...
and rejoin Skeet who has escaped the flying bat. Skeet relates his misadventures and Doc, the most knowledgeable of the gang, informs them that Vlad is the real name for Dracula
Dracula
Dracula is an 1897 novel by Irish author Bram Stoker.Famous for introducing the character of the vampire Count Dracula, the novel tells the story of Dracula's attempt to relocate from Transylvania to England, and the battle between Dracula and a small group of men and women led by Professor...
. The Frankenstein's monster
Frankenstein's monster
Frankenstein's monster is a fictional character that first appeared in Mary Shelley's novel, Frankenstein, or The Modern Prometheus. The creature is often erroneously referred to as "Frankenstein", but in the novel the creature has no name...
discovers them causing them to flee. However, they abruptly run into the dark-haired man. The man tries to help the children escape, but is soon confronted by the hunchback. As they struggle, the man transforms into a werewolf who throws off the hunchback and begins stalking the children.
Reggie discovers a note written by his little brother. In the note, Curly tells Doc of the plans to spend the night in the haunted mansion. Jessica, whose brother is missing as well, joins Reggie as they rush to the old manor in search of the missing children.
The Frankenstein’s monster nearly captures Skeet and at the same time the hunchback
Hunchback
Hunchback may refer to one of the following.*A derogatory term for a person who has severe kyphosis*The Hunchback of Notre Dame*Hunchback , an arcade and computer game from the 1980s*The Hunchback, a 1914 film featuring Lillian Gish...
discovers the others. All rush up an old staircase only to encounter Dracula blocking their passage. The vampire revolves to face the werewolf who rushes headlong toward him. Dracula
Dracula
Dracula is an 1897 novel by Irish author Bram Stoker.Famous for introducing the character of the vampire Count Dracula, the novel tells the story of Dracula's attempt to relocate from Transylvania to England, and the battle between Dracula and a small group of men and women led by Professor...
raises his cape and transforms into a bat as the werewolf
Werewolf
A werewolf, also known as a lycanthrope , is a mythological or folkloric human with the ability to shapeshift into a wolf or an anthropomorphic wolf-like creature, either purposely or after being placed under a curse...
leaps over the stairwell snatching the bat from the air and crashing to the floor below. The monster reaches for Skeet and stumbles, falls, and bounces down the long winding stairway. As the children recoil, Curly’s and Jessica burst through large French doors leading from the outside into the large ballroom
Ballroom
A ballroom is a large room inside a building, the designated purpose of which is holding formal dances called balls. Traditionally, most balls were held in private residences; many mansions contain one or more ballrooms...
where the children are cornered.
The Frankenstein's monster rushes Reggie but screams in pain at the sounds of gunfire. Curly’s dad – the realtor, John Helsley, stands at the entrance with a large hunting rifle. As the creature staggers, Helsley fires repeatedly. The monster crashes to the floor as the father spins and fires his weapon, dropping the clubfooted hunchback
Hunchback
Hunchback may refer to one of the following.*A derogatory term for a person who has severe kyphosis*The Hunchback of Notre Dame*Hunchback , an arcade and computer game from the 1980s*The Hunchback, a 1914 film featuring Lillian Gish...
wildly swinging an axe at the children. Curly rushes into his father's arms, who explains that he was carrying the hunting rifle the brothers gave him for Father’s Day.
A huge bat settles behind Helsley, transforming into Dracula
Dracula
Dracula is an 1897 novel by Irish author Bram Stoker.Famous for introducing the character of the vampire Count Dracula, the novel tells the story of Dracula's attempt to relocate from Transylvania to England, and the battle between Dracula and a small group of men and women led by Professor...
. The vampire’s long arm sweeps the man and boy aside like feathers. The creature takes several quick steps and seizes Jessica. The twang of an archery
Archery
Archery is the art, practice, or skill of propelling arrows with the use of a bow, from Latin arcus. Archery has historically been used for hunting and combat; in modern times, however, its main use is that of a recreational activity...
bow reverberates as Dracula screams in anguish and twists around with a wooden arrow protruding from his back. The vampire
Vampire
Vampires are mythological or folkloric beings who subsist by feeding on the life essence of living creatures, regardless of whether they are undead or a living person...
collapses to the floor and crumbles into dust.
Sirens signal arriving police whom the father had phoned on his way to the old manor. Helsley exits with his sons along with Doc and Speck. Skeet and Angela turn to leave when something springs at Skeet causing him to faint. Regaining consciousness Skeet is startled once more as a small black cat leaps onto his chest. Skeet’s eyes widen and he faints again.
Angela nods her head and quips, “My hero!”
A bat flies through the doorway toward an upper window as the picture fades to black for the final credits.
Cast
- Gabe Caravello … Skeet
- Hunter Lee Hughes … Doc
- Parrish Nelson … Angela
- Quincy Starnes … Speck
- Trevor Tellepsen … Curly
- James Gale … the Wolf Man
- Nicole Feenstra … Jessica
- Steve Chizmadia … Reggie
- David Markwarkdt … Count Dracula
- David Sanders … The Monster
- Jack Adams … Mr. Helsley
- Tana Herrington … woman in alley
- John Magyar … date
- Mark Sevier … police Chief
- Jim Bolinger … desk clerk
- David Folwell … deliveryman
- Nuccia Pignataro … Woman of “ill-repute”
- Interrogating Officer … Chief Mike Barry
- Mark Gerald … policeman
- Jay Jackson … policeman
- Debbie McLaughllin … bystander in police station
- Lisa Florence … bystander in police station
- Maria McCullough … bystander in police station
- Laura Goulas … bystander in police station
- Matt Bennett … bystander in police station
- Cecilia Bennett … bystander in police station
- Jimmy Smith … bystander in police station
- Archie Bennett … bystander in police station
- Michele Deguerin … bystander in police station
- Shelly Newman … bystander in police station
- Phil Hardage … bystander in police station
- Julie Brownlee … bystander in police station
- Sherri Atkins … bystander in police station
- Cara Wedel … bystander in police station
- Rene Bennett … bystander in police station
- Carol Ann Smith … bystander in police station
Reviews
Reviews were mostly favorable. Lawrence Sailes writes in a Turner Classic Movie Review, “Surprisingly for an overworked genre, Haunted is most enjoyable – even for an adult.” However James Packard, writing for Silver Screen Reviews says, “…the film is so enjoyable that one wishes the production had a greater budget together with a more experienced director.” He went on to say, “There is a lot that is up there on the screen and the picture is very entertaining.”
Production
Haunted was the second of a series of children’s films aimed at what Sandpiper Productions had estimated would be a future television market for 3-D films. Although the 3-D process developed by Ashai, Tec, Ltd. was reported to be excellent for television, the filming process was burdensome. Each film setup took many hours and hundreds of takes in order to achieve a stabilized 3-D picture. The new camera systems weighed approximately 800 pounds and required a five-person camera team to operate.Haunted is recognized as the film debut for future film star, Hunter Lee Hughes. Hughes would later star in such films as Winner Takes All, Armenia, Project: X, and Tweakers.
The film was also the film debut for two more future actors, Steve Chizmadia and Nicole Feenstra. Chizmadia portrayed Curly’s brother, Reggie and Feenstra was Reggie’s girlfriend, Jessica. Chizmadia would later act in I Come in Peace and Celebrity Ghost Stories while Feenstra would appear in Dark Room Theatre and The Indictment.
Haunted marked actor James Gales second entry into film but his first starring role as the film's Wolfman. He would go on to leading roles in many films including The Return of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Good Girl, Bad Girl and The Grand Inquisitor.
Distribution
Haunted (1991 film) was distributed by Intercontinental Releasing CorporationIntercontinental Releasing Corporation
The Intercontinental Releasing Corporation , was an American media company, primarily involved in the production and distribution of films and television programs. IRC was founded in September 1974 as the larger film studios' grip on domestic and international distribution diminished...
(IRC) in 1991 and for reasons unexplained, once again in 1993. The picture was later acquired for continuing distribution by Metro-Goldwyn-Meyer in 1998.
External links
- Internet Movie DatabaseInternet Movie DatabaseInternet Movie Database is an online database of information related to movies, television shows, actors, production crew personnel, video games and fictional characters featured in visual entertainment media. It is one of the most popular online entertainment destinations, with over 100 million...
: "Haunted" (1991) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1844676/ - Turner Classic MoviesTurner Classic MoviesTurner Classic Movies is a movie-oriented cable television channel, owned by the Turner Broadcasting System subsidiary of Time Warner, featuring commercial-free classic movies, mostly from the Turner Entertainment and MGM, United Artists, RKO and Warner Bros. film libraries...
Haunted (1991) http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/525448/Haunted/ - Yahoo! MoviesYahoo! MoviesYahoo! Movies , provided by the Yahoo! network, is home to a large collection of information on movies, past and new releases, trailers and clips, box office information, and showtimes and movie theater information. Yahoo! Movies also includes red carpet photos, actor galleries, and production...
Haunted (1991) http://movies.yahoo.com/mv/search?p=Haunted+%281991%29 - Haunted (1991) opening footage located at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6ujnA8-kKs