Let's Scare Jessica to Death (1971)

Eerie little 1970s supernatural horror film has a few creepy moments and although it is on the slow side at times, still liked the performance from Zohra Lampert and it does have a charm to it. Won't make my list of great horror films or anything, but certainly work seeking out. 3.0/5

Haunting mystery/horror on coastal Connecticut

Released in 1971, "Let's Scare Jessica to Death" chronicles events after the title character (Zohra Lampert) gets out of a mental institution and moves into an old house on coastal Connecticut with her husband (Barton Heyman) and a friend (Kevin O'Connor). There they discover a hippie-like squatter named Emily (Mariclare Costello) whom they eventually invite to stay because they all get along. Jessica starts to hear voices as they catch wind of rumors of a drowning victim from 90 years earlier who's now a ghost or maybe even a vampire. Are the increasingly crazy happenings real or all in Jessica's mind?

This is a realistic mystery/horror movie in the mold of 1967's "The Shuttered Room" and 1962's "Carnival of Souls." I mean 'realistic' in the sense that the tone is believable. It's a low-key, haunting slow-burner, so if you want over-the-top, cartoony horror, look elsewhere.

Zohra Lampert is effective as the mentally unstable protagonist. The way the movie constantly looks into her thought-life and the uncertainties thereof is reminiscent of 1968's "Rachel, Rachel." The theme is the hypnotic power of a woman. Reflect on Jessica's situation at the end. If she dares to speak out, who would believe her story?

The drowning victim from the 19th century was named Abigail. I bet this was where KD got the name for his notable 1987 horror-metal concept album.

The movie runs 98 minutes and was in Connecticut, USA (Essex, Chester, East Haddam & Old Saybrook).

GRADE: B