Kailansorac
Clever, believable, and super fun to watch. It totally has replay value.
Josephina
Great story, amazing characters, superb action, enthralling cinematography. Yes, this is something I am glad I spent money on.
Roxie
The thing I enjoyed most about the film is the fact that it doesn't shy away from being a super-sized-cliche;
Coventry
There are quite a few interesting names linked to this delightfully titled "ABC Movie of the Week", both in front as well as behind the camera. Although a 100% American TV-production, the script was penned down by the multi-talented British writer Jimmy Sangster, who was responsible for a few dozen amazing screenplays for the legendary Hammer Studios including "Horror of Dracula" and "The Curse of Frankenstein". Director Gordon Hessler has always been a very underrated but professional genre expert, with awesome titles on his repertoire like "The Oblong Box", "Cry of the Banshee" and "Murders in the Rue Morgue". The most exhilarating name in the cast list is undoubtedly Bette Davis. What with her notoriously penetrating eyes and natural charisma, she single-handedly made all the movies she ever starred in somewhat creepy and unsettling! When I browse through the user-comments around here, I notice that "Scream, Pretty Peggy" is very popular and several people even refer to it as one of the best made-for-TV movies that got released during the 1970s. I honestly can't agree with the latter statement, therefore the subject material is too derivative and the denouement too predictable, but I will definitely emphasize that it's a very atmospheric and absorbing thriller that'll keep you glued to the screen throughout its (short) running time. The cute, cherubic and over-enthusiast art-class student Peggy Johns is delighted when she finds a job as a housekeeper in a remote and creepy old house. For you see, her employer is the bizarre sculptor Jeffrey Elliot, who happens to be one of young Peggy's idols. He lives in the house with his scary and tyrannical mother and Peggy also soon discovers that there's another secret inhabitant, namely Jeffrey's mentally unstable and unreliable sister Jennifer. An obtrusive man often visits the house, because his daughter Agnes disappeared and he claims that she was last seen here, but naive little Peggy blindly trusts her mentor Jeffrey and even tries hard to become friends with his creepy mother. If you're even just slightly familiar with the horror genre's greatest and most influential classics, you'll guess the twist-ending of this film in a matter of mere seconds. Still, I didn't mind for one second that the film was predictable, thanks to the fast pacing and the spirited acting performances. Bette Davis is great as always, Ted Bessell is intriguingly mysterious and particularly the young Sian Barbara Allen gives a very likable performance.
toolkien
Spoilers ahead....This movie scared the biscuits out of me as a 5 year old in 1973, Ted Besell with the makeup on at the end haunted me for months. Very tense and scary for a made for TV movie in the 70's.But now as a hoary old adult, the college broad comes off as a bit stupid and altogether pushy, knowingly doing things that she would be better off not doing. Perhaps a little sharp blade to the kidney would have done her good.The problem that really prevents this from getting a higher rating is that the boogey man of the movie kills so swiftly and silently, which sets up the thrill. But when Peggy is about to get hers, is it quick and deadly? No! She.....drum roll please.....DUCKS! And runs away. The Phantom was so deadly and stealthy for so long, makes a long introduction of its presence then proceeds to MISS! Sort of lets the air out of the whole production.But for all that, it was a nice trip down memory lane. Decent suspense on a small budget.
hillari
Bette Davis, a great actress, unfortunately has nothing to do in this one except give dire warnings to the heroine. After the first half-hour, you know how this one is going to end; the clues are just that easy. I give it high marks for atmosphere, but other than that, this made-for-TV chiller doesn't do much. Good for wasting time on a Saturday afternoon if nothing else is on.
verna55
Fairly competent early '70's, made for TV suspense flick is notable mainly for the presence of Bette Davis who breathes some much needed life into Jimmy Sangster's ultra-conventional script that was apparently written after too many viewings of PSYCHO. This small screen release can't hold a candle to that classic chiller, but at least director Gordon Hessler does an adequate job of handling the familiar material, and this is undeniably one of the most stylish and professional-looking TV films ever.
