THE DUNWICH HORROR (1970)

With special guest John DeVore

Intro, Math Club, Debate Society, Hot for Teacher (spoiler-free): 00:00-27:20
Honor Roll and Detention (spoiler-heavy): 27:21-1:07:56
Superlatives (spoiler-heavier): 1:07:57-1:24:26

Director Daniel Haller
Screenplay Curtis Hanson, Henry Rosenbaum, and Ronald Silkosky, based on the novella by H.P. Lovecraft
Featuring Donna Baccala, Ed Begley, Lloyd Bochner, Sandra Dee, Beach Dickinson, Sam Jaffe, Barboura Morris, Jack Pierce, Talia Shire, Dean Stockwell

Released January 14, 1970
Box Office $446,400 (IMDb); $1 million (Wikipedia)

SPOILER-FREE SYNOPSIS

Wilbur Whateley wants the Necronomicon, and although the library’s closing, local coed Nancy is so entranced by Whateley that she’s inclined to let him read it.  Her professor, Dr. Armitage, isn’t thrilled with the idea of someone borrowing the book – even for five minutes – until he realizes who the reader is.  Eager to find out more about Wilbur, and his family history of seeking out transdimensional creatures, he invites Wilbur and Nancy to dinner.  But Wilbur’s not interested in becoming one of Armitage’s biographical sketches – he wants Nancy to come back to his home, drink some tea, and… stay there forever.  That’s when his grandfather, Old Man Whateley arrives, causing Nancy to raise an eyebrow.  Why is he so determined to keep her away from the house?  What on the upper floors is making all those wind and ocean sounds?  And why is Wilbur so desperate to introduce Nancy to the Devil’s Hopyard, a stone altar where, it is rumored, his ancestors once performed sacred rituals to call forth a race of creatures that would bring about the end of life as we know it? 

SPOILER-FREE GUEST BIO

John DeVore is a two-time James Beard award-winning essayist and editor. He's written about pop culture for Decider, Esquire, and Premiere (RIP), among many others. John's first memoir, 'Theatre Kids,' will hit bookstores in 2024 Favorite recess snack (current): Apples and fresh cheddar cheese.

EPISODE NOTE

Music from The Dunwich Horror by Les Baxter.

Listen to our other episode recorded with John DeVore, on The Void, here.

Why did Professor Louryk choose this film? Find out in our Blog.

TRAILER

SUPERLATIVES

The Gaspar Noe Award for Most Disturbing Scene
John: [Abstaining]
Eric: [Abstaining]
Bradford: The scene in which Dr. Cory describes Wilbur’s mother’s post-partum insides as “all torn up”

The Ellen Ripley Award for Character Who Most Deserves to Live
John: [Abstaining]
Eric: Nancy’s friend Elizabeth
Bradford: Library guard

The Michael Myers Award for Character Who Most Deserves to Die
John: Elizabeth
Eric: Reeger
Bradford: Nancy

The Ken Russell Award for Most Baroque Screen Moment
John: The ritual scene, i.e. the final showdown between Armitage and Whateley while Nancy rests upon the altar at the Devil’s Hopyard
Eric: The ritual scene, i.e. the final showdown between Armitage and Whateley while Nancy rests upon the altar at the Devil’s Hopyard
Bradford: The ritual scene, i.e. the final showdown between Armitage and Whateley while Nancy rests upon the altar at the Devil’s Hopyard

The Brad Dourif Award for Character Who Could (or Should) Have Been Played by Brad Dourif
John: Wilbur
Eric: Wilbur
Bradford: Old Man Whateley

FINAL LETTER GRADE

John: C+
Eric: C
Bradford: B-