The Strange Possession of Mrs. Oliver is a 1977 American made-for-television horror film directed by Gordon Hessler and starring Karen Black, George Hamilton, Robert F. Lyons, Lucille Benson, and Jean Allison. The teleplay was written by Richard Matheson.[1] The film first aired on NBC in 1977.[1][2]
Plot
Its plot follows a bored housewife who takes on an alternate persona that starts wreaking havoc on her life. Karen Black plays the title role, a dowdy, downtrodden housewife plagued by recurring nightmares of funerals, black flowers, fires, and a woman called Sandy. Seeking an escape from her stifling lifestyle and dull husband, who only wishes her to have a baby, Black dons a low-cut red blouse, blonde wig, garish makeup, and a new identity. She is also compelled to buy a house in a beach community where it would appear a woman who looks just like her once resided - before her tragic demise.
It turns out that the woman Black pretends to be may actually exist—and may have more than a passing knowledge of the occult.
Critical reception
According to John Stanley, "Director Gordon Hessler builds the mystery with a deft camera, creating ambiguities to intrigue us: Is Black undergoing possession, reincarnation or what? Supernatural mood blends with psychological thrills."[3]
Cast
- Karen Black as Miriam Oliver / Sandy
- George Hamilton as Greg Oliver
- Robert F. Lyons as Mark
- Lucille Benson as Housekeeper
- Jean Allison as Mrs. Dempsey
- Gloria LeRoy as Saleslady
Critical response
Hal Erickson of AllMovie awarded the film four out of five stars, but noted that Hessler's direction "muddles" Matheson's "perfectly coherent script."[4]
References
- ^ a b c Young, R. G. (2000). The Encyclopedia of Fantastic Film: Ali Baba to Zombies. New York: Hal Leonard Corporation. p. 602. ISBN 978-1-557-83269-6.
- ^ Deal, David (2007). Television Fright Films of the 1970s. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland. p. 169. ISBN 978-0-786-42929-5.
- ^ John Stanley. Creature Features Movie Guide Strikes Again. (4th revised ed). Pacifica, CA: Creatures at Large Press, 1994, p. 373
- ^ Erickson, Hal. "The Strange Possession of Mrs. Oliver". AllMovie. Archived from the original on August 22, 2019.
