Wuchakk

Shot in late 1970, but not released until the spring of 1973, this indie combines elements of "Carnival of Souls" and "Night of the Living Dead" with bits reminiscent of "The Mansion of Madness," aka "Dr. Tarr's Torture Dungeon."

There is a sense of low-budget macabre artistry with the amusement park "in its death throes" being the highlight, but the characters aren't fleshed out and so the story becomes tedious. Furthermore, plain Jane Janine Carazo is serviceable as Vena, but the production needed someone more alluring to keep the viewer's attention. The later "Closed for the Season" (2010) was shot at Chippewa Lake Park in northeast Ohio and had the same deficiencies.

A decent indie of this sort is "Scream Park" (2012), which was shot at the old Conneaut Lake Park on the other side of Pennsylvania. "SideShow" (2000) is also worth checking out. The best examples of the genre include "Circus of Horrors" (1960) and "The Funhouse" (1981), which had way more money with which to play.

It runs 1h 14m and was shot in Willow Grove, a suburb north of Philadelphia. The carnival basement sequences were done a dozen miles south in Germantown whereas the scenes of Vena running in the woods were filmed across the border in The Pine Barrens of New Jersey, which is about 45 miles to the east.

GRADE: C/C-

When production began in 1979 the working title was "Trauma," but after shooting completed in 1980 it was released in some places as "The House Where Evil Lives" which is superior to its most well-known title, "Delusion" (you'll know why after seeing the film).

It's a slow grind psychological thriller and murder mystery that could also be considered a prototype slasher in the tradition of "Psycho," but not "Halloween" or "Friday the 13th." The milieu is a wealthy old man's estate in the Los Angeles area reminiscent of the typical Columbo movie, yet the snooping detective element is small, similar to "Psycho."

Patricia Pearcy plays the delicate redhead protagonist, who's mostly known for "Squirm" from several years earlier. Meanwhile Joseph Cotten appears as the rich old man at the age of 74 during shooting; it was his penultimate film (although he had a gig on TV's The Love Boat at the time as well).

The 16 years-old grandson is played by John Dukakis, who happens to be the stepson of the 1988 Dem presidential candidate and was 21 years-old during shooting (although he passes for 16). He resembles the singer of Krokus, Marc Storace, albeit seven years younger. David Hayward is also notable as the somewhat arrogant family lawyer.

It runs 1h 30m and was shot in Altadena, which is located northeast of Hollywood at the foot of the San Gabriel Mountains, just north of Pasadena. You can see the mountains in the background of one scene.

GRADE: B.

Shot mostly at the end of 1973, this only cost $30,000 (which would be equal to $180,000 today) and wasn't completed until 1976 due to repeated delays, which explains its 1977 release date. The events take place in the 1930s, but it weirdly seems like the 1970s due to Len's haircut & apparel, as well as the noticeable prominence of the power lines, not to mention the protagonist (Laurel Barnett) and the girl (Rosalie Cole) smack of the '70s, dresses or no dresses.

There's a quality creepy mood augmented by a notable discordant score that brings to mind "The Shuttered Room," just mixed with bits from "Terror at Red Wolf Inn," "Lemora," "Messiah of Evil" and "Night of the Living Dead." There's also a hint of telekinesis that precedes "Carrie" by 2.5 years (going by shooting dates, not release dates).

All of the dialogue was dubiously dubbed in post-production, which adds to the off-kilter vibe of the proceedings. The special make-up effects are excellent, all things considered, but the last act becomes tedious with screaming Alicianne's all-around uselessness being unbelievable (think Barbra from "Night of the Living Dead"). A daring, independent woman like Alicianne would be tougher than that during the The Depression.

Be forewarned, this ranks with the least of the movies mentioned due to its low-budget limitations, yet its sense of artistry is undeniable.

It runs 1h 23m and was shot in Los Angeles County at Culver City, Montebello and Boyle Heights (the interiors of Mrs. Whitfield's house and the Nordon home) with the main outdoor location being the Standard Oil yard that's located on both sides of La Cienega Blvd in Ladera Heights, which is 8-10 miles southwest of Hollywood.

GRADE: B-