Editorials
“Get Out!”: Classic Haunted House Film ‘The Amityville Horror’ Turns 40
Of all the haunted houses in the world of horror, few are as iconic or its story as well known as The Amityville Horror. Based on a bestselling novel of the same name by Jay Anson, the film tells the story of newlywed couple George and Kathy Lutz, and Kathy’s kids from a previous marriage, as they embark on a new life together with the purchase of a lakeside property at a bargain price. The American dream. Except, there’s something seriously wrong with the house, and it threatens to tear this family apart permanently. Thanks to the popularity of the novel and of the lead actors, The Amityville Horror became a massive success at the box office upon release on July 27, 1979, marking the birth of a long-running franchise and an enduring legacy.
Anson’s novel claims to be based on a factual account of the Lutz’s experiences with 112 Ocean Avenue, a home in the Amityville neighborhood of Long Island, New York. They moved into the home one year after Ronald DeFeo Jr. shot and killed six of his family members at the house. The Lutz family only lasted 28 days in the house before fleeing. As for DeFeo Jr., he’s currently serving six life sentences. The city denied the production the ability to film at the actual house, wanting distance from any possible negative press, so exterior shots were filmed at a private residence in New Jersey that was converted to resemble the iconic house.
James Brolin was a regular leading man when he was offered the role of George Lutz. He was hesitant to accept, partly because there was no finished script to read and also because he worried that the haunted house movie would be too hokey. So, he was urged to read the novel. Brolin became so engrossed when he started the book that he continued reading well into the late hours of the night, punctuated by a pair of his hung pants falling abruptly during a particularly scary moment in the book. He took that as a sign to accept the part. He proved too effective as the possessed George, though, that he struggled to find roles for a period after the film’s release.
As for Margot Kidder, who played Kathy Lutz, she’d already proven her horror mettle in Black Christmas and Brian De Palma’s Sisters. But she was fresh off her breakthrough turn as plucky reporter Lois Lane in Superman when this role came her way. In other words, both Brolin and Kidder were box office draws at the time.
Directed by Stuart Rosenberg (Cool Hand Luke, Voyage of the Damned), and penned by Sandor Stern (Pin), The Amityville Horror contained a wealth of memorable moments beyond the iconic “evil eyes” of the house’s exterior. The flies, the menacing voice booming “GET OUT!” at Father Delaney (Rod Steiger) when he comes to bless the home, the glowing red eyes of Jody the pig, the nightmares at 3:15am, the poor babysitter’s trauma, and that walled-up room in the basement that hid the passage to hell all made for an unforgettable entry in haunted house terror.
But it was the relatability of the Lutz’s financial situation that resonated the most. They put everything they had into this house. When George and Kathy discuss whether they can afford the home, no matter its cheap price tag, it’s easy to put ourselves in their shoes. When Kathy’s brother can’t find the money he stashed away for the caterer on the night of his engagement party, George offers to write a check until the cash turns up. It’s a gesture that elicits serious dread because we know George can’t afford it; and the money never does resurface. It’s not just the evils of the house getting to him, but the financial pressures of keeping the family afloat.
Finally, you can’t talk about The Amityville Horror without mentioning the Academy Award nominated score by Lalo Schifrin. The eerie choir vocals, the shrieking strings and the frenzied notes all orchestrate a chilling score that perfectly captures a haunting presence. Or a house of pure evil. It was a sort of redemption for Schifrin, whose previous score for The Exorcist had been thrown out by William Friedkin.
With a larger than life backstory, a popular novel, two compelling lead actors, a goosebump-inducing score, and no shortage of memorable movie moments set in an iconic haunted house, it’s easy to see why The Amityville Horror became the second highest grossing movie of 1979. Or why 22 additional Amityville films have been made since, including the 2005 remake. Early in the film, Kathy asks George if it bothered him to know that a family died in that house. He responded, “Well, sure, but houses don’t have memories.”
He didn’t know at the time that this one does. Forty years’ worth.
Editorials
‘The Vampire Lestat’ Concert Event Launches New Season With The Ultimate Expression Of Fandom
There are thousands of passionate fans decked out in gothic chic and champing at the bit like feral creatures. They’re screaming for Lestat, a legendary vampire-turned-rock star, as if the entire crowd has been glamored into submission.
The entire experience is magic, but not because some supernatural thrall has been activated. What’s going on is even more special. It’s the power of the effusive fandom that’s been authentically assembled by AMC’s sublime Immortal Universe, namely Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire, now, The Vampire Lestat.
The Vampire Lestat is far from the first Anne Rice adaptation, and it’s not as if there’s been a lack of erotic vampire material for audiences to sink their teeth into. On June 2nd, during a one-night-only spectacle, New York City’s prestigious Beacon Theatre shook from Sam Reid’s bravado performance and an audience full of adoring fans who had already memorized Lestat’s songs.
It’s clear that The Vampire Lestat just hits differently than its predecessors. It’s become more than just a TV series at this point, and this opulent display of ego, swagger, and pure sex is the perfect way to premiere the new season and give back to the fans who helped make Interview with the Vampire/The Vampire Lestat such a breakout success. It’s exactly the sort of hyperbolized hedonism that would make Lestat cackle.
For all intents and purposes, AMC has successfully created the illusion that this concert/premiere is just one of the many destinations on Lestat and his band’s 54-stop tour that is simultaneously playing out on this season of television. It’s such a sophisticated and thorough level of interactive fan engagement that the audience doesn’t just understand, but also manages to accentuate through its involvement.
It’s a level of seamless synergy that’s not unlike the give-and-take relationship of vampire and victim.
Before the concert started, “LeStans” were sitting in the Beacon and flipping through a fake Rolling Stone issue with Lestat emblazoned on the cover, complete with interviews with the undead frontman inside. Other fans were admiring the vinyl pressing of Lestat’s EP as they walked past a section of undead band merch. Fandom and fantasy blur together, and it all becomes this elaborate, immersive experience. Fan celebration, erotic gothic fantasy, and a lavish rock concert transform into one beautiful thing.
To this point, AMC Global Media’s Chief Content Officer and President of AMC Studios, Dan McDermott, introduced the event by reiterating to fans, “You are the heartbeat of the series.” That’s abundantly clear on nights like this as that heartbeat collectively pulses to this performance. In terms of how AMC engages with The Vampire Lestat’s fans, it’s as bold a reinvention as the season itself.
This intuitive gamble speaks to AMC’s creativity in this department and a fandom that is eager to seize such opportunities. It’s the same innovation that led to zombie walks for The Walking Dead and real-life Los Pollos Hermanos restaurant pop-ups from Breaking Bad. It’s a great way to pump up the audience for The Vampire Lestat and then maintain that enthusiasm for the whole season.
For most series, a rock ‘n’ roll concert just doesn’t make any sense as a promotional tool. The Vampire Lestat finds itself in a very unique position where it can deliver an excellent concert at an iconic theater, but also use it to showcase The Vampire Lestat’s music by Daniel Hart (who was shredding on stage alongside Reid and the rest of their band) and, more than anything, Sam Reid’s endless charisma.
The way in which Reid feeds off of the crowd’s energy, modulating his performance and giving different sections of the Beacon life, is a perfect distillation of the series’ thoughtful relationship with its audience and how it’s become such a breakout success for AMC. AMC Studios President Dan McDermott emphasized that the fans are the reason that the show is still here and why an event like this is even possible. It’s rare to see a series in which every single cog in the machine is so perfectly attuned to its fans. Reid’s fans already cheer whenever they see him, so why not translate that to a concert setting?
It’s clear in this season of television that Reid was born to be a rock star, but it’s surreal to see him effortlessly command the stage — and the audience — at every step of the concert. He recites Shakespeare monologues and bitches out Armand between songs, all while the audience screams in support. For the duration of this concert, Reid is Lestat, and he’s given thousands of fans a memory that’s as immortal as any vampire.
Now bring on the encore and get this show on the road!
You must be logged in to post a comment.