My review was written in June 1984 after watching the movie on Media Home Entertainment video cassette.
"Mystery Mansion" is a 1983 family adventure film evidently made for the regional theatrical market, but popping up instead on video cassettes. Mild pic, lensed in Oregon, is inoffensive and lacks excitement.
Storyk with very slight supernatural overtones, concerns Susan (Randi Brown), a young girl sent on vacation with her little brother Johnny (David Wagner) to stay with their aunt and uncle (Jane Ferguson, Greg Wynne). She is haunted by recurring nightmares and memories concerning the disappearance in 1889 of her ancestor Rachel, whose family was terrorized by bank robbers. Rachel's parents were killed, but the girl's body was never found, with the events shown in intercut flashbacks.
Susan and Johnny, together with neighbor Billy (Lindsay Bishop) and a friendly old neighbor Sam (Dallas McKennon) alternate exploring for a missing treasure (linked to Rachel's ancient disappearance) with a boating trip on the river. A pair of escaped convicts terrorize everyone, but are ultimately frightened off by Sam and his fake spook effects in the title house where Rachel once lived. Happy ending ties matters up neatly, regarding the treasure, missing Rachel's whereabouts, etc.
Cast is unimpressive and film's pacing is slow, but attractive views of Oregon locations provide some diversion for an undemanding audience.
