User Reviews

In the Eighties, horror flicks were all the rage. Sequels were obligatory and every year saw another Freddy, Jason, Pinhead or Michael Myers shocker. Among these were the House movies, which are a lot better than the genre reputation suggests.

First and foremost, this is not strictly a horror film. There are some sprinklings of light comedy here and there and the monsters are so ridiculous that they don't really scare. It sure makes for a welcome change in a decade full of blood, knifings and slayings.

Roger Cobb (William Katt) is a horror novelist, suffering from writers block. He can't seem to continue with his latest book, a recollection of his tour in 'Nam. The fans are eager but they want horror, not some war story. On top of all this, he is also dealing with a divorce and coping with the mysterious disappearance of his son. Depressed, he moves to his aunt's house, from where his son vanished and in which the old lady hung herself. A creepy log cabin in the mountains might be more appropriate, as Roger finds just as many distractions here.

The first distraction is his neighbour Harold (George Wendt), who shows up at the worst moments to hassle Roger in the Ned Flanders style. The second distraction is a little more sinister. Monsters burst out of the closet at midnight, doors in the house lead into different dimensions and he is haunted by the memories of his best friend (Richard Moll), whom he betrayed back in 'Nam. Third, there is a sexy blonde, who bathes in his pool.

One of the most appealing things about House is that Roger doesn't respond with any clichéd horror movie tactic - running away, falling flat on his face, hiding under the sink, etc. Instead, he buys a camcorder and tries to capture the monsters on film to convince Harold, and himself, that he is not crazy.

He even manages to persuade Harold to help him catch a big raccoon, which hides out in a certain closet and only shows itself at midnight. Even at this, Harold gets scared, but not us. The film is only slightly dark and keeps a jovial mood for an hour and a half.

Steve Miner (Halloween H20, Lake Placid) intrigues us as much as Roger as to what the hell is going on. Ethan Wiley's script is the tiniest bit loose, but is smarter than you would think and even contains a few little touches that you might miss on the first couple of viewings.

It could have been beefier and longer, but if it was, it wouldn't be as irresistibly charming.

A true product of the 80s, but does that mean its anything less or far more… I don't know but I had trouble not getting caught up in its irresistibly off-kilter charm and patchwork ideas. I truly have a soft spot for it. Yeah it's a mess, a clueless and incoherent one. However it's goofy nature, vivid visual effects and willing performances lend very well to a competent looking production… yeah so what if those Vietnam flashbacks looked hokey and it's origins are cheap. This was the third film under the belt of director Steve Miner, who a couple years earlier brought us the raw, opening sequels 'Friday the 13th' Part 2 and 3'.

Miner is joined by producer Sean S. Cunningham, the man behind the original 'Friday the 13th'. This time it's far from chilling (but it doesn't feel like its trying either… well there are moments, lightly done though), as the angle is focused on the comedy, even if it doesn't have you constantly laughing out loud. It remains amusing nonetheless, while managing to be unpredictable in a way. We've flooded with ideas, artistic lashings and loose writing. William Katt makes for a likable victim, to his worrying state of thinking his going crazy due to the traumatic stress (war experience, missing child and marriage failure) or maybe it's the house and its dark, devious secrets preying upon his fragile mind.

Roger Cobb is a Vietnam VET/ horror novelist that has tragedy on mind after the strange disappearance of his son Jimmy when visiting his aunt's house. His obsessive quest on finding him takes on a huge toll on his marriage, as his wife leaves him and now he wants to write a book about his Vietnam experience despite the growing success of his horror novels. After the death of his aunt, he heads back to the house and decides this is where he would write his new book. However he finds out there's more to this house, and maybe a chance to find his son again.

Sounds like the typical haunted house shenanigans… Well to a point. There are monsters (creative animation/ rubber make-up and the zombie soldier design looks awesome) stemming from portals to other universes through closet doors and bathroom mirrors. In the end I guess there just wasn't enough of it, compared to its boundless sequel 'House II: The Second Story'. The psychological aspect (yes it tries) is muddled and never truly explored; because it lets the daftness and convoluted tone take control of anything of importance through its Vietnam slant. Miner keeps a steady pace, drawing some minor moments of suspense and unhinged weirdness. The direction can feel a little too staged, and planned out in its set-pieces due to its change in shifts. Although the execution comes off better than it probably should have and is fairly presentable, as just look Mac Ahlberg's polished cinematography as the camera seamlessly glides through the set-pieces and Harry Manfredini's score is elastically piercing in its perky arrangement.

Like I mentioned up further, Katt brings along an honest and capable performance. Around him is a down-to-earth turn by George Wendt. Who is good fun as Cobb's interfering neighbour. The stunning Kay Lenz doesn't get a lot to do, but her warm presence doesn't look out of place and Richard Moll is imposing as Cobb's Nam buddy. The beauty of Mary Stavin engulfs the few scenes she's in. Another asset you could say, and just as part of the film's character is the house itself. A formidable setting, but it didn't entirely have the lasting impact like I would've hoped and that's why the atmosphere (quite patchy) across the board didn't always have the same effect.

Loony, spontaneous comedy/horror that doesn't entirely hit the mark, but does plenty to tweak ones interest.

After an old woman is found hung in her creepy old house, her nephew (writer Roger Cobb, played by William Katt) decides to move in for some solitude. But the memories of the house come back to him, as this was where he lost his son and his marriage began to fall apart. And what is up with all the demons hiding in the closet?

The genesis of the film is somewhat interesting. Screenwriter Ethan Wiley was referred to the creators by Fred Dekker, who had developed the original concept. Dekker was too busy developing a Godzilla film for Steve Miner, so he passed the idea to Wiley, who converted it into more of a comedy. Now, the Godzilla film ended up in development hell, but the positive outcome is a superior "House". Dekker's version would have been darker, focused more on PTSD, while Wiley's version is what makes it so enduring.

Although my favorite film in the "House" series is part two, the entire run was respectable. We have some of the better acting for horror films of the time, and an interesting and original plot. The biggest flaw really is the poor makeup effects (especially on Big Ben), but this may have been partially intentional to reinforce that it is less than serious. The Vietnam theme is also played up a bit too much, but that was the kernel of the story, so it would be hard to remove.

Richard Moll (Bull Shannon from "Night Court") appears as Big Ben, a Vietnam soldier captured by the Vietnamese. His role is very important, although the acting comes across as flat. I do not know if he is a poor actor or if the script simply did not give him much room to work, but the entire Ben subplot is a bit lacking.

At the same time, we have George Wendt (Norm from "Cheers") as a friendly neighbor who has no problem inviting himself in for some pizza and beer. Wendt is wonderful and really makes this film fun, just as he would do twenty years later in John Landis' "Family". He also starts the trend of "Cheers" actors in the "House" series (John Ratzenberger appears in part two).

The film is fun, and a good pace. Nothing very scary here, not even the closet that goes straight to what looks like Cthulhu's basement. But sometimes you do not need scares and scantily-clad women. Sometimes you need a little fun, and you will find it here (and even more in "House II"). Watch it. You will like it.

Arrow Video has released the definitive "House" set (either two films or more depending on your region). For the first film, we not only get an extremely informative audio commentary from Steve Miner, Sean Cunningham, William Katt and Ethan Wiley, but we have a brand new making-of documentary which has all of those names plus George Wendt, Fred Dekker, Harry Manfredini and more. This is the last word on "House".

'House' stars William Katt as Roger Cobb, an accomplished novelist who moves into his creepy aunt's house after her suicide. In bits and pieces, the audience discovers that Roger once lived in the house, as well, along with the aunt, Roger's wife, and their now-missing son, Jimmy. Roger believes that Jimmy is trapped somewhere in this mysterious house, which just happens to be some sort of portal between past and present dimensions...I think? Anyway, the audience becomes involved, well, at least myself and the rest of my company became involved, and you start to feel for this poor guy who has really sorry luck...in all areas. Roger, our tattered hero, has the pretty neighbor Tanya, who likes to come and swim in his pool, and who ALWAYS catches him at the worst times. Then he has the nosy neighbor Harold, played by George Wendt, who might be out to exploit him or may just be generally concerned. I don't know. Then there is the neighborhood dog who likes to dig up Roger's "saplings"....

Overall, I find this to be a fairly underrated little horror movie. It's definitely one of Steve Miner's more innovative attempts, and the music, reminiscent of the F13 music and performed by the same man, Harry Manfredini, is thoroughly haunting. Also, most importantly, the acting is believable. Major points for that. None of this movie is hokey. It could have been...but it wasn't. 7/10 is my vote.

This is a good movie. Not excellent but good. It has an interesting story, great monster effects, and some scenes have an interesting surreal visual look. The comedy aspect isn't maybe as good as the horror side but it's charming in its 80s cheesy style, and the lighthearted tone makes it more unique. One of the better "haunted house" movies I've seen.

Roger Cobb is a newly divorced horror novelist whose young son has recently mysteriously disappeared. He moves to his aunt's house to write a book about his experiences as a soldier in Vietnam. The trouble is that his aunt killed herself there in strange circumstances and before long Cobb starts to experience malevolent paranormal activity in the house. House was produced by Sean S. Cunningham, the man who directed the hugely influential slasher Friday the 13th (1980) and produced the notorious rape-revenge exploitation shocker Last House on the Left (1972). It would be fair to say that with House, he was involving himself with something decidedly less controversial. This is in actual fact a horror-comedy which is not so far off being family-friendly. While it does admittedly have its share of horror moments such as demonic creatures and some suspenseful events, it certainly plays its comedy hand with more certainty. The result is a very likable film.

This is a film which is not so well remembered now but it was a sizable hit at the time it was released from what I can recall, after all it did manage to spawn three sequels. It benefits quite a bit from very good performances from William Katt as Cobb and George Wendt as his friendly neighbour. Both have good comic timing and work well together, while Katt has to be given extra credit for still being capable of acting while wearing the most 80's V-neck sweater I have ever seen. Aside from the two leads there is also a lot of really good 80's effects and make-up for the various demons who plague the house, including a monster in the closet which I daresay haunted many a little kid who happened across this flick back in the day. It was also an interesting idea to combine the 80's movie staple of the Vietnam War in with a haunted house scenario. These strange bed-fellows are amalgamated pretty successfully I thought though, giving the movie a distinctive angle. Ultimately, House is a fun movie without ever being an essential one. It does display a certain craft and care though and, even if it is a bit limited in some ways, it's a film which is difficult to dislike and one which offers a fun 90 minutes for genre fans.

'House (1985)' starts out as a relatively straight-laced horror, with only a few laughs thrown in here and there. Before long, however, it transitions into a full-on absurdist comedy, sprinkling its horror with heaps of humour. It gets really silly but it isn't a spoof; it always maintains a balance between its giggles and its scares, keeping its real-world frights firmly rooted in the subconscious of its protagonist. It's often really funny and, perhaps more importantly, is constantly quite a bit of fun. In general, it's surprisingly effective. I wouldn't be surprised if it inspired 'Evil Dead II (1987)', to be honest, because it's quite similar in tone - even though it's nowhere near as refined. Though its plot is a bit loose and its Vietnam war aspects are a little shallow, it's a really entertaining comedy-horror that takes itself just seriously enough to work. It's a good time throughout. 7/10.

As a horror comedy, I expected more horror and more comedy from House--it's kind of lacking in both departments. Aside from a moment or two, the story really drags in the first half of the movie, and when it finally picks up, it isn't that impressive. I think I prefer the sequel, as corny as it is.

I watched 'House' back in 1987 when i was 11. I loved it!!! I found it scary and dark and mysterious and funny and i think i've added too many 'ands' to this review already.

This is about a horror writer (Roger Cobb) who is working on his next book about his experiences in the Vietnam War. His Aunt seemingly has committed suicide and has left the house to him in her will so Roger goes there to work in solitude and is bothered by ghosts and his next door neighbour. He also has to find his lost son who went missing in that house many moons ago.

This is excellent, it truly is. The title is simple but effective and unlike Amityville we see the nasty things that lurk in this house. The video cover is nice too, really eye catching.

Roger sets out on a mission to kick ass. Not just the evil ghosts within his house and beyond but his own personal demons. I love that scene where his ex wife turns into that fat monster thing and he blows her away and....well i don't want to spoil it for anybody but it's awesome. The eighties was by far the best for movies especially horror and sci-fi. We won't see movies like this ever again. GOD DAMN YOU Hollywood!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

'House' is awesome straight from the spooky beginning (did i tell ya that this movie is well spooky?) to the twisty horrible shocking end. Go watch this magnificent film straightaway! Did i say that the comedy is kick ass? The comedy is kick ass! 10/10

Mixing genres in movies is not an unheard of move when it comes to making original ideas. Of those blends, putting horror and comedy together has proven to work. A more recent example of this could be The Cabin in the Woods (2011). Or if looking further back, Gremlins (1984) is another feature that has confirmed such a concept can be profitable. Of course though, with every success comes those who don't make out as well as they could have, for whatever reason. This feature has an interesting history since it was originally conceived by Fred Dekker, the poor filmmaker who ended up having what he wrote completely changed. Originally to be taken as a straight forward horror film, wound up being changed to contain horror and comedy. With that said, many could understand how that could upset others.

So now, the film that actually is available is about popular novelist Roger Cobb (William Katt) learning that his relative passed away in the house he grew up in. But the house has more than just a childhood history with Cobb. At one point, Cobb lived with his currently divorced wife Sandy (Kay Lenz) and son Jimmy. However, just like the house itself leaving an impression, so did Vietnam as Cobb was a war veteran who lost a partner Ben (Richard Moll) in combat. Doing these rewrites was Ethan Wiley in his first writing credit and it kind of shows maybe changing the original concept wasn't the right decision. In short the technical aspects to this feature works pretty well, but the story is where it's hit and miss. It's unfortunate too because direction was handled by Steve Miner, who also headed Friday the 13th Part 2 (1981) and Part III (1982).

So why couldn't competent direction amend some of the experience? It feels as though most of it sits on the star's shoulders. William Katt as Roger Cobb is okay in his performance, but lacks the charm to really bring in the audience to feel the way the character does. Perhaps some of this alienation is on purpose because most civilians never understand the trauma of war. However, when adding elements of comedy into the mix it's just confusing. Should the audience be laughing or should it be as awkward as presented in the film? The only character that delivers some comical lines is Harold (George Wendt), a neighbor who is pretty much clueless on every level. The other supporting characters very much play it that same way but don't seem to make an impact. Surely the production wasn't banking on Katt and Wendt to deliver all the laughs. Aside from comedic line reading, the acting is acceptable from all actors.

There's even appearances from Mary Stavin playing another one of Cobb's neighbors, Michael Ensign, better known as the hotel manager from Ghost Busters (1984), as well as Steven Williams and Alan Autry. Even with that to the film's credit, this picture isn't scary. It may frighten smaller viewers or those who just don't watch horror films...but the scare factor has no kick to it since bad comedic elements were thrown in. The visuals to the feature favor pretty well though. Because of the decade it was produced, much of the visuals are practical effects which all look decently crafted. The final boss looks good too although the verbal mouthing does not completely match lines dubbed in post-production. It's too bad since those creature scenes could have led to some rather gory deaths.

Cinematography was another professional looking component. Shot by Mac Ahlberg, there are number of imaginative ways the house twists and turns Cobb in different directions; changing from one setting to another. Ahlberg also worked on Re-Animator (1985), Deepstar Six (1989) and Robot Jox (1989). Lastly, the musical score was composed by Harry Manfredini. Best known for creating the iconic score to Friday the 13th (1980). Manfredini seems to keep some of those familiar themes for better or for worse. While it does sound like it could belong to another Friday film, there are moments unique to this feature alone because of how the track was composed. The album also is a bit shorter in material but it still gives the listener a good idea of what was wanted to be conveyed.

The technical parts to the film are very much on board, with solid camerawork, special effects and music. Sadly, the acting from the actors isn't enough to keep the experience from feeling dull. There's nothing horrific or funny about either aspect of the film, partly due to the lead's lack of appeal. It's average at best.

I always enjoyed this horror/comedy when I was a kid and upon viewing it again, I still enjoy it. The film just clicks for me and there is a lot going on in this one. I watched two other horror films recently, and more happened in this film than happened in those two films combined. Not saying they were bad as one was a horror film from the 70's and there are a lot them that are slow burn and rely on a last disturbing scene to make the film. The other one was kind of bad as it was a monster film that did not feature the monsters much as all. This one shows us monsters, has flying tools that want to chop you up and has a Vietnam vet returning from the grave! It also stars a lot of actors that were more known for their roles in television rather than film as it has William Katt known for, The Greatest American Hero, George Wendt from Cheers and Richard Moll from Night Court. The comedy is pretty good, but they still keep quite a bit of horror in this one too. The second film in the series would rely a bit more on comedy and action rather than horror.

The story has a man named Roger Cobb who is a writer. He has been having trouble writing since his son turned up missing one day. His aunt kills herself in the home where the boy seemingly disappeared in the pool and Roger soon moves into the old house. He meets his neighbor who is a fan of Roger's and everything proceeds normally enough...for a couple of minutes anyway! Soon Roger is being assailed by hellish creatures in the closet of his aunt's room, being attacked by the tools in his shed, sees his ex-wife turn into a grotesque monster and has to deal with many other things in the house full of craziness. All through the movie he also tries to write his latest novel which is a true story about his time in Vietnam. He also has to babysit a kid he doesn't even know and he and Harold (the neighbor) try to fight off the 'racoon' in the closet.

This film would spawn a sequel that would feature John Ratzenberger in a small role, so this one featured Norm and then the next Cliff. There is no true part three to the series as they named a completely unrelated film named, "The Horror Show" the title House III for its non U.S.A release, but here instead of naming the next actual House film, part III they went straight to IV. That film would not be a success, but if you have seen it you can easily see why as it has none of the charm of this film or second film and was just horrifically bad! This was the best of the House films I have seen. Never saw the not really a House film, Horror Show, but considering it was not really meant to be a House film I guess it really does not count. Though I am interested in seeing it if they ever release the full version of it. Apparently, its initial cut was so gruesome it garnered an X rating! This one could almost be PG-13 as there really is not too much gore in it, no nudity and minimal cussing. Still, it was a very fun horror film to watch. I loved the whole strangeness of the House, as there are monsters in it and strange portals to strange dark realms!

War vet turned author Roger Cobb (William Katt) is stuck in a major rut. Still coasting on the success of his first two novels, Roger is now trying to focus on writing about his experiences in the Vietnam War. However, he is suffering from writer's block (and a touch of PTSD), and still dealing with the disappearance of his son. But fate soon intervenes when Roger's Aunt unexpectedly commits suicide, and he becomes the sole inheritor of her allegedly haunted estate. Rather than sell it off, Roger decides to move in and focus on writing his long-delayed book.

But that doesn't go as planned as Roger has to deal with his nosy neighbor Harold Gorton (George Wendt), plus a multitude of supernatural threats, including killer garden tools, a diverse mix of monsters, and a vengeful Vietnam zombie!

House isn't strictly a horror film, it's a fantasy as well as a comedy. Actually it leans more towards the latter. It's quite offbeat and a refreshing change from the slice and dice horror films released at the time - it does have some strong visual effects, a few good jump scares and it's quite stylish and imaginative, though it can be a bit too far-out for its own good and it's a little incoherent. Overall, an imaginative ride with campy humour.

House is an inventive, original eighties horror comedy that has built its foundations on a thin line between laughs and scares. And I love every minute of it. The Friday the 13th team (Steve Miner, Sean S. Cunningham, and Harry Manfredini) strikes again. Even Kane Hodder (Jason) does some stuntwork. The story and the script are both great thanks to Fred Dekker (The Monster Squad) and Ethan Wiley (House II). Steve Miner succeeds in creating the atmosphere of an old house and in finding a likable cast as well. The cast includes William Katt (Carrie) as the unlucky lead Roger Cobb, George Wendt (Normie from Cheers), and Richard Moll (Bull from Night Court). My favorite cast member is probably the house itself. It's perfect, I think they made it just for this movie. The effects and makeup are great for the eighties. Skeleton Big Ben is awesome. One standout scene is Roger and the mini-demons playing tug-a-war with the little boy Robert (Miner's own kid). The score, by Manfredini, is highly similar to that of Friday the 13th, but I love still love it. House is a well put together, underrated horror movie. If you're going to buy a house this year, make it this one.

This is a great movie, funny and cool in the same style as Return of the Living Dead II.

The effects are awesome, the story really entertaining and the cast are perfect.

Its a shame they don't make them like this any more :)

How much you enjoy House will depend on how much silliness you can stand with your horror. William Katt does well with the lead role and tries his best to keep everything as grounded as possible, but when you have a scene where a mounted fish comes to life and starts flapping everywhere, it might a bridge too far for some and it becomes too goofy for its own good.

I don't know when I first saw this movie. I know I was young, ten or eleven maybe. I remember being scared, and probably had some trouble turning off the light that night, but it never traumatized me. I've picked it up every so often ever since and always enjoyed it. It was one of the first R rated horror movies I saw, and now I'm hooked on the genre.

This is a great film when introducing children to "harder" horror. For those ready to move on from Scooby-Doo but not ready for Night of the Living Dead or The Exorcist. It's scary and suspenseful but never terrifying. Tension builds and there are plenty of jump scares, but the frights never last for long. Take the closet monster for instance. Tension builds as Roger goes to the door and there's a big scare when it comes out. But afterwards it becomes almost silly. Same with the fish and witch. It's a lot like Evil Dead 2 in that it's never too scary to not be funny and never too funny to not be scary.

There's also a good story to go along with it. It follows Roger Cobb who grew up with his aunt in a haunted house. He went to war and saw horrible things. His son disappeared at the haunted house and he's separated from his wife. Obviously, all this ties together in some way when the aunt dies and he moves back into the house. None of it ever becomes hokey or clichéd. The film allows time to get to know Roger before the haunting begins so we like him and understand his plight. There's also an interesting aspect regarding whether all the hauntings are real or just caused by the stress of his life.

George Wendt from Cheers plays the lovable neighbor that Roger befriends and helps. He isn't that much different than Norm but provides lots of humorous moments. The only thing I wish they did better is to make the supermodel neighbor more interesting. She's fine for some T&A and the house does something with her (which I still can never get whether that was really her or if it was just the witch), but she never really serves the story well. It's little more than a cameo just to have a model in the movie.

Each of the actors do well in their parts. All are great, though Richard Moll hams it up just a little too much in his Vietnam scenes. It features William Katt, who genre fans would know as the prom date from Carrie. This film certainly shows some range for him. The film is made by the crew who did Friday the 13th, Parts 2 and 3 and has the same visual style.

The special effects work very well for the story. The "ghosts" are practical effects using puppets, like Star Wars, which looks a lot better than stop motion. As I said before, they look scary at first but grow silly the more they're seen. The walking hand is equally disturbing and funny.

The movie may not be a classic of the genre, but it's well worth checking out. It's a descent ghost story with plenty of suspense. As I said before, this is a good movie to test children before showing them something like The Shining or Nightmare on Elm Street. Those used to more terrifying horror should know that this isn't the scariest thing on store shelves. It's a good, solid B-movie that won't really disappoint.

Regarding the sequel, I say skip it. As light as this movie is, House II is much lighter and far campier. In fact, it's more like Weekend at Bernie's than Evil Dead. It's more of a fantasy-western than horror and never scary. If you're watching this movie and want more, go with the Bruce Campbell trilogy.

Powerful opening scene has a grocery delivery boy discover an old woman hanging from her bedroom ceiling in her large Victorian house. Author and Vietnam veteran Roger Cobb (William Katt), nephew of the dead lady, inherits the house and he decides to work on his latest book there but finds out that not only is it haunted but it is also a portal to his past fighting in the Vietnam jungle (or at least a film set with a bunch of jungle looking plants). Producer Sean S Cunningham, who directed the classic "Friday the 13th" (1980), said that by 1985 the slasher movie was in rapid decline and that the way forward for horror was to add some humour, House delivers as many laughs as it does scares. One of the main creatures, a witch type being, is as much Muppet Show as it is scary. In fact the scariest thing on show is a creepy looking little boy called Robert, sporting a shocking mullet. His mum Tanya (Mary Stavin) is very hot mind! George Wendt of TV's "Cheers" plays Roger's neighbour and delivers some very funny lines. In terms of horror one of the best scenes has Roger under attack from a bunch of flying garden tools. I wouldn't go as far as to call House a classic but it is a good movie that delivers both horror and comedy, plus some good special effects and a Henry Manfredini musical score, the 1980's were the most fun decade for horror without a doubt.

This is indeed a very weird film, but not (entirely) bad. This horror comedy is more of a comedy with horror elements than a horror with comedic elements. I enjoyed William Katt in this movie, and the setting in the mansion.

William Katt was good as the writer fighting his inner demons, and in this instance some real demons as well. George Wendt was very likable as the nosy, suspicious neighbor. The film was entertaining up to the point where Roger Cobb (Katt)'s ex-wife Tanya showed up. From there the story became preposterous and a lot of time was spent on moments not moving the story forward. Some of the effects look really cheap. The film is just not believable enough (never mind the supernatural theme), no thanks to all the silly humor...

The successful writer Roger Cobb (William Katt) is trying to write a book about his experience in Vietnam, but he is blocked after the disappearance of his son Jimmy and the divorce from his wife, the actress Sandy Sinclair (Kay Lenz). When his beloved Aunt Elizabeth (Susan French) is found dead hanged in her bedroom, Roger inherits the house and moves to live there. His snoopy neighbor and fan Harold Gorton (George Wendt) gets close to Roger and learns that his aunt claimed that the house is haunted. Further Jimmy disappeared in the swimming pool on the back of the house. While writing his memories from the Vietnam when his pal Big Ben (Richard Moll) was captured and tortured by the Vietcong, weird things happen in the house and soon Roger leans that the place is a gateway to a hellish dimension.

"House" is one of the best haunted house films ever made. The plot is funny and recalls "Twilight Zone", with surrealistic situations. William Katt is great in the role of the writer that wants solitude but finds monsters while haunted by his past. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): "House - A Casa do Espanto" ("House - The Frightening House")

That's right the Greatest American Hero star, William Katt, plays Roger Cobb a troubled writer. Roger's son went missing, his wife divorced him, and his aunt just passed away. All Roger wants to do is write a story drawing on his experiences in Vietnam, even though that is not what his fans or his agent wants. He moves into his aunt's Victorian home that she leaves him after her suicide to do his writing. When he moves in he meets his sweet neighbor, Harold Gorton, played by the always lovable George Wendt...who offers up some of my favorite lines in the film including this beauty: "Solitude's always better with somebody else around, ya know?"

It isn't long before Roger starts to believe that his aunt might be right about her house being haunted...and it begins this whole cycle if Roger writing about Vietnam in between battling the house in full military garb. This starts to blur reality and house.

Surprisingly fun haunted house story that has several plots that all come together neatly in the end. I loved seeing George Wendt in this congenial neighbor role and it was fun to see a couple of other stars that I really enjoyed in the 80's, William Katt (although I did also love seeing him in Bones) and Richard Moll who played Bull in the old Night Court. Not sure I would recommend this except to horror fans or fans of William Katt.