Michael_Elliott Stranger in Our House (1978) ** (out of 4) Made-for-TV horror film about teenager Rachel Bryant (Linda Blair) whose life turns upside down when her cousin Julia (Lee Purcell) comes to live with her family after the death of her parents. At first everything seems okay but soon all sorts of strange things start to happen and soon Rachel begins to think that her cousin is a witch.Wes Craven made this shortly after THE HILLS HAVE EYES and it should go without saying that this here isn't in the same league as that terrifying thriller. This film's biggest problem is the fact that we've seen it countless times before and there's really nothing original done here. Even worse is the fact that the movie clocks in at 98 minutes, which is way too long. Had this made-for-TV movie been made five or six years earlier then it would have clocked in at maybe 72 minutes at the most. Needing to fill up a two hour slot, the film just keeps going and going without much actually happening.Again, the screenplay is clearly the problem with this picture because it offers up every cliché that it can find. The Julia character is obviously evil but no one sees it except for Rachel. Rachel, on the other hand, is the sweet girl but everyone really thinks she's losing her mind. We get countless scenes where the two fight and where Rachel begs for people to believe what she's saying. It's one thing for this to happen two or three times in a movie but it happens at least seven or eight times, which is way too long. Even worse is that the TV trappings don't allow for any suspense.Purcell is certainly the best thing about the movie. She is completely believable playing the "good" girl and I thought she did a fantastic job at letting that "evil" side of her character slip through. She's just a certain look in her eye that just helps sell her character. Blair is good as well, although there are times where she comes across as a whiny brat. Jeremy Slate, Carol Lawrence and Macdonald Carey are all good in their supporting roles.STRANGER IN OUR HOUSE is a pretty bland and boring movie that doesn't have too much going for it.

ElectricWarlock Anyone who is familiar with Wes Craven's films knows that he is a horror legend, making such classics as A Nightmare on Elm Street, The Last House on the Left, The Hills Have Eyes, and Scream. While those are some of his most famous films, I'd say this one is just as good as all of them and doesn't get anywhere near enough recognition. The main thing I think this film does well is create interesting characters. The people in this film are fascinating and seem just like real people, not fictional characters. Linda Blair, Lee Purcell, and Fran Drescher gave the best performances of the film. The story is also very interesting and well written. It is based off of a book by Lois Duncan. Every moment of this film is fascinating and I wasn't bored once. I was on the edge of my seat waiting to see what would happen next. I wanted Rachel to expose her cousin's witchcraft and defeat her every step of the way. Most of the time when I watch a film, I keep my eye on the clock counting down the minutes until it will end. I didn't do that at all with this film because I didn't want it to end.This is one of the most entertaining horror films I've ever seen and I don't feel as if it gets enough recognition. It is one of Wes Craven's best and completely fun to watch.

coxtalan This October 31,2008 will mark the 30th anniversary of "Summer of Fear"/"Stranger in our House"(which ever you prefer).A young girl named Rachel (played by the Exorcist's Linda Blair)is visited by her cousin Julia(Lee Purcell)after Julia's parents are killed in a car accident.Everyone likes Julia and is taken by her at first. That is until strange things start to happen that only Rachel notices and strange objects that Rachel finds that leads her to believe that her cousin may be a witch. No one believes Rachel's accusations and thinks she's just jealous of Julia.It's up to Rachel and her neighbor Professor Jarvis(played by MacDonald Carey,Days of our Lives)to expose Julia for what she is.This movie also stars Jeff East(Huckleberry Finn,The Day After)and(a unknown at the time)Fran Drescher who later gained fame with the hit series"The Nanny".This movie does have some scary moments.

pain93 After reading SUMMER OF FEAR by great author Ms. Lois Duncan, I had discovered this little film. It took me forever to find it until one day I was at the video store and found it hiding away with the old used up VHS'S. And so I picked it up and brought it home. The film for the most part stays true to the novel, with the exception of a few minor changes. The acting is what I like to call 'Made for TV' in which it is not really great, but it is not really terrible. The script lacks a tad bit, but over all this film is highly entertaining. Sure it is no where near Craven's SCREAM or A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET but it is a good movie. The special effects are dated, but it is not like this film is an Oscar winning picture. The climax is a fun traditional cat fight and the ending is good. This movie makes me feel like Im watching one of those lifetime network films...but in a good way. I really do like SUMMER OF FEAR. It's enjoyable and entertaining. Worth a watch!