Replies

Another one that haunted me forever was the original “The Thing” in about 51/52. Got my attention!

"Invaders From Mars," the 1953 version haunted me as a kid growing up. The scene of the kid looking out his bedroom window and seeing a space craft land, then watching his father walk along the fencepost, and suddenly disappear at the sand pits. That spooked me to no end, and I thought about that scene periodically. When it finally came out on VHS, I bought it, and watched it again. Once I viewed it, I couldn't, for the life of me understand why it had bothered me so much. Maybe because I was only 5 or 6 at the time I first saw it.

Another movie that spooked me, and is still one of my favorites is "The Haunting" (1963), with Julie Harris. One of my favorite scenes from the first part of the movie:

"Mrs. Dudley: [Eleanor has just been shown her room after she arrives] I can't keep the rooms the way I'd like, but there's no one else they could get that would help me.

Eleanor Lance: How very nice.

Mrs. Dudley: I set dinner on the dining room sideboard at 6. I clear up in the morning. I have breakfast for you at 9. I don't wait on people. I don't stay after I set out the dinner, not after it begins to get dark. I leave before the dark.

Eleanor Lance: Your husband?

Mrs. Dudley: We live over in town, miles away.

Eleanor Lance: Yes.

Mrs. Dudley: So there won't be anyone around if you need help.

Eleanor Lance: I understand.

Mrs. Dudley: We couldn't hear you. In the night.

Eleanor Lance: Do you have any idea when Dr. Markway...

Mrs. Dudley: [cuts her off] No one could. No one lives any nearer than town. No one will come any nearer than that.

Eleanor Lance: I know.

Mrs. Dudley: In the night. In the dark.

"Another one that haunted me forever was the original “The Thing” in about 51/52. Got my attention!"

Yeah, James Arness played "The Thing."