‘You have been warned.’
Don’t Go in the House is a 1979 American horror film that emulates Psycho (1960) in a more forthright graphic manner. The film focuses on the main character Donny’s abuse-driven psychoticism and schizophrenic hallucinations, mostly unnoticed by those around him. It gained notoriety as a British video nasty and remains banned in some countries.
Directed by Joseph Ellison from a screenplay co-written with Ellen Hammill and Joe Masefield.
The movie features Dan Grimaldi, Charlie Bonet, Bill Ricci, Robert Osth, Ruth Dardick, Johanna Brushay, Jim Donnegan, Colin McInnes
Ralph D. Bowman, Joey Peschl, Connie Oaks, David McComb, Tom Brumberger, Nikki Kollins, Kim Roberts, Louise Grimaldi, Gloria Szymkovicz, David Brody, O’Mara Leary, Gail Turner, Christian Isidore and Eileen Dunn.
The soundtrack score was composed by Richard Einhorn (Sister, Sister; Dead of Winter; Blood Rage; The Prowler; Eyes of a Stranger; Shock Waves).
Our review:
Donald “Donny” Kohler is a deeply disturbed individual who was emotionally and physically scarred by burns inflicted on him by his mother. As a child, whenever he did something she saw as “wicked”, she would hold his bare arms over a gas stove in an effort to “burn the evil out of him”. Due to this, he developed a secret obsession with fire and human combustion.
During his job as an incinerator, Donny observes a co-worker, Billy, catch on fire. Instead of going for help, he stares, mesmerised. When he returns home, he finds his mother has died. While he is free from her possessiveness, the only life he has ever known is gone, and with it his chance for revenge against her.
Donny sets out to avenge himself on every woman who bears a resemblance to his hateful parent with the aid of makeshift steel chains, a homemade flamethrower and a steel-panelled bedroom crematorium.
Starring Dan Grimaldi, who went on to have mainstream success as Philly and Patsy Parisi in TV’s Sopranos, Don’t Go in the House is unremittingly grim fare. Despite some respectable critical notices, the film attracted controversy almost immediately because of its graphic depiction of the death of Kohler’s first naked victim, and the touchy central theme of childhood abuse.
The film was cut by almost three minutes when it was released in Britain in the winter of 1980, but an uncut version was released on video by the Arcade label in 1982 – knowingly or not, they advertised the release as “a true ‘nasty’ from Arcade”, and it quickly wound up on the authorities’ list of banned titles. The pre-cut British cinema version was released on video by the Apex VHS label in April 1987.
Ian Jane of DVD Talk said, “Don’t Go in the House isn’t for everyone – it’s a bitter, ugly, and nasty little horror movie that doesn’t pull any punches and is just as seedy today as it was when it was made. It’s effective in that it gets under your skin despite its low budget origins and obvious flaws.”
Considering the subject matter and the gloomy tone throughout, it’s somewhat surprising that the film has since become available in the UK in uncut form. Director Joseph Ellison discusses the film at length in Stephen Thrower’s excellent Nightmare USA book.
Daz Lawrence, MOVIES & MANIA
“Although campy in spots, especially during the discotheque scenes, the film remains harrowing in a more real sense than many of its exploitation brethren. This one really scorches the earth.” Mike “McBeardo” McFadden, Heavy Metal Movies
Buy: Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk
“At first glance, you’d think Don’t Go In the House was very much like its video nasty brethren, in that time had lessened its impact, however coming at the film with fresh eyes, and with this fantastic new HD transfer, I can appreciate the film much more. The plot has an emotional resonance and the graphic nature of the murders only heightens the sleazy atmosphere which in turn feeds the story…” Nerdly [review of 2022 Arrow Video Blu-ray]
Buy: Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.com
Release:
The shooting title was The Burning and in some territories, this was the release title. It was also the title used for the TV version.
The US theatrical release was on 28th March 1980.
Trailer:
Filming locations:
Jersey City and Port Monmouth, New Jersey
Mannerly Shop – 222 North Avenue, New Rochelle, New York (clothing store)
Palace Disco – 518 Main Street, New Rochelle, New York (disco)
Shore Florist – 72 1st Ave, Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey (florist)
Strauss Mansion Museum, 27 Prospect Circle, Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey (Donny’s House)
Filming dates:
February 3rd 1979 to March 1979
Technical specs:
1 hour 22 minutes
Audio: Mono
Aspect ratio: 1.85: 1
