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 KingdomDirected 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
Date: 1971 (Copyright)Country: United KingdomDirected 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
Credits
(34)
©: American International Productions (England) Ltd, An American International production: American International, A Hemdale production: Hemdale, Presents: James H. Nicholson, Samuel Z. Arkoff, Executive Producer: Louis M. Heyward, Produced by: Samuel Z. Arkoff, James H. Nicholson, Associate Producer: John Pellatt, Production Manager: Donald Toms, Assistant Director: Colin Brewer, Continuity: June Randall, Casting: Sally Nicholl, Screenplay by: Robert Blees, James Sangster, Original Screen Story by: David Osborn, Additional Dialogue by: Gavin Lambert, Director of Photography: Desmond Dickinson, Camera Operator: Norman Jones, Film Editor: Tristam Cones, Art Director: George Provis, Wardrobe Supervisor: Bridget Sellers, Make-up: Eddie Knight, Sylvia Croft, Hairdressing: Pat McDermott, Joyce James, Colour by: Movielab, Music Composed and Conducted by: Kenneth V. Jones, Sound Recordist: Ken Ritchie, Richard Langford, Sound Editor: Peter Lennard, Publicity: Dennison Thornton, Filmed at: Shepperton Studios
Cast
(14)
Shelley Winters (Mrs Rosie Forrest. 'Auntie Roo'), Mark Lester (Christopher), Ralph Richardson (Mr Benton), Judy Cornwell (Clarine), Michael Gothard (Albie), Hugh Griffith (the pigman), Lionel Jeffries (Willoughby), Chloe Franks (Katy), Rosalie Crutchley (Miss Henley), Pat Heywood (Dr Mason), Richard Beaumont (Peter), Jacqueline Cowper (Angela), Marianne Stone (Miss Wilcox), Charlotte Sayce (Katharine)