Based on the novel Hell House by Richard Matheson, this haunted house flick finds a physicist named Dr. Barrett and a few other people commissioned to investigate a house with a history of paranormal activity.

Dr. Barrett brings a huge machine that is supposed to rid the house of bad energy and his wife. There are also a couple of psychics to help with the spirit hunting. Will they be able to leave the house with the lives and their sanity?

It definitely feels like 1973. Every electronic device is huge and boxy. It was a time when suspense and danger had to be conveyed in subtle ways. I’m sure it was all very effective back then, but aside from an eerie tone, there isn’t much in the way of fear-inducing imagery. Some of the possession scenes with pitch-lowered voices were kind of cool, though.

I wouldn’t call this a classic, but it’s OK for the time period.

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