Dunwich Horror, The (1970) – Nostalgia Central

Miskatonic University lecturer, Dr Henry Armitage (Ed Begley in one of his last appearances before he passed away in 1970) – a lecturer on the supernatural – finds young Wilbur Whateley (Dean Stockwell) in the library memorising passages from an ancient book called The Necronomicon, also known as the book of the dead.

Armitage learns that Whateley is from Dunwich, a nearby village which has a history of evil happenings, and that he is a great-grandson of Oliver Whateley, who was hanged by the villagers as a demon.

Whateley convinces a virginal blonde student called Nancy (Sandra Dee) to drive him home to his secluded Dunwich farmhouse, and a strange brew of tea puts her in a hypnotic state.

She agrees to stay the night and sleeps fitfully in the huge four-poster that belonged to Whateley’s mother (who is now in a mental hospital). During the night, Nancy has erotic nightmares in which strange hippie-like beings try to seduce her into a sexual orgy.

The next day, Whateley takes her to an eerie promontory with a circular altar and stone columns where strange rituals were once carried out.

She learns that he intends to open a gateway for demons called “the old ones” with incantations he’s learned from The Necronomicon. He also intends that she shall be part of the ceremony . . .

Meanwhile, Dr Armitage and Nancy’s friend and fellow student, Elizabeth (Donna Baccala), head for the Whateley house, and Wilbur’s (unseen) demon half-brother escapes from the locked attic and goes on a rampage across the countryside, killing many innocent villagers.

Roger Corman was the executive producer of this loose and lacklustre AIP adaptation of a short story by HP Lovecraft.

Nancy Wagner
Sandra Dee
Wilbur Whateley
Dean Stockwell
Dr Henry Armitage
Ed Begley
Elizabeth Hamilton
Donna Baccala
Dr Cory
Lloyd Bochner
Old Whateley
Sam Jaffe
Lavinia Whateley
Joanne Moore Jordan
Nurse Cora
Talia Shire (as Talia Coppola)
Dr Raskin
Michael Fox
Sheriff Harrison
Jason Wingreen
Mrs Cole
Barboura Morris
Mr Cole
Beach Dickerson
Librarian
Toby Russ
Reeger
Jack Pierce

Director
Daniel Haller