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Whoever Slew Auntie Roo? (Original title)The Gingerbread House (Working title)Who Slew Auntie Roo? (Alternative title)Whoever Slew Auntie Roo (Help search title)Who Slew Auntie Roo (Help search title)
Date: 1971 (Copyright)

Country: United Kingdom

Directed by: Curtis Harrington

Synopsis: Horror thriller, updating the story of 'Hansel and Gretel'. Every Christmas, Rosie Forrest (aka Auntie Roo), the widow of a stage magician, invites ten of the best-behaved children from the local orphanage to stay at her rambling country house, Forrest Grange. One year, two extra children (older brother Christopher and his sister Katy) sneak in after hiding in the boot of Inspector Willoughby's car, in which the partygoers are transported. Mrs Forrest welcomes them too, and takes a particular shine to Katy, who reminds her of her late daughter. When the celebrations are over and the guests go home, Katy and Christopher find themselves trapped in the house, and they learn of a horrible secret Mrs Forrest is hiding. Taking her for a witch who plans to cook them in a pie, they try to effect a daring escape, with grisly consequences.

Genre:
Horror

Subjects:
Orphans, Christmas, Dead bodies, Spiritualism, Magic (entertainment), Bereavement
Articles held in BFI Reuben Library (7)
In: Films and Filming v18 n7 April 1972  Page: 56
Title: [Films and Filming - v18 n7 April 1972: no known title]Language: English

In: Filmfacts v15 n2 1972  Pages: 30-32
Title: [Filmfacts - v15 n2 1972: no known title]Language: English

In: Cinema TV Today n9969 26 Feb 1972  Page: 21
Title: [Cinema TV Today - n9969 26 Feb 1972: no known title]Language: English

In: Monthly Film Bulletin v39 n459 April 1972  Page: 82
Title: [Monthly Film Bulletin - v39 n459 April 1972: no known title]Language: English

In: Kine Weekly n3318 15 May 1971  Page: 10
Title: [Kine Weekly - n3318 15 May 1971: no known title]Language: English
Description: On prod.

In: Variety 22 Dec 1971  Page: 66
Title: [Variety - 22 Dec 1971: no known title]Language: English

In: The Hollywood Reporter v219 n11 16 Dec 1971  Page: 3
Title: [The Hollywood Reporter - v219 n11 16 Dec 1971: no known title]Language: English