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From Wikipedia:
The film begins with a voiceover by Dr. John Markway. Hill House was constructed by Hugh Crain as a home for his wife. She died in an accident as she approached the house for the first time. Crain remarried, but his second wife died after falling down the stairs. Crain's daughter, Abigail, lived in the house the rest of her life, never moving out of the nursery. She died calling for her nurse-companion. The companion inherited the house, but hanged herself in the library. Mrs. Sannerson inherited Hill House, but the mansion has stood empty for some time.
All these years, I've overlooked that one because I knew the main storyline and had read the Shirley Jackson book years ago but had forgotten the "back story" completely. That one scene with the old woman pounding on the wall still scares me -- I sat here with my hand over my mouth, eyes wide open, in that same 1975 fear!)
It sure shows how the mind seems to remember what it "wants to" -- I was 10 that year, and the blonde nurse/aide was more mature, not a "girl in the ponytail." And what I remembered as a "dancing" scene was the shot of her (alone) down below, climbing the spiral staircase to hang herself (which I didn't recall at all). And I thought Abby was pounding on something very loud, which of course turned out to be the symphonic "bang."
THANK YOU SO MUCH for bringing this back to me, and for everyone else who tried so hard to help -- I love old movies about old women for some reason, and I think this movie is what started it.
Another thing: My mother's name was Abby. She was watching it with me that day. Creepy, huh?
I'm happy that I could help! I was awake extra late and cruising the site when I decided to revisit Movies. As soon as I read your description, I thought of one of my top favorite films. To me, it's one of THE best films, especially horror movies. It remains chilling even though there's no major violence and no blood, mainly sound and visual effects.
I love the scene ending in "God! Whose hand was I holding?!"
You're welcome! I hope you will enjoy revisiting your memories.
I still can't believe I overlooked one of the TOP cinematic horror films of all TIME! This is definitely on my watch list, just in time for the weekend. Many thanks, again!
Since the Sixties, I have seen this film at least 200 times and can never get enough of it! My family watched every broadcast, tehn TCM came along to air it a number of times throughout each year. Plus, I watch a taped copy and even viewed it several times on YouTube though I don't know if it's there anymore. I was lucky to find exactly the clip I needed.
Happy movie watching=} I do love solving movie mysteries! *giggle*
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