| The Haunting of Harrington House | |
|---|---|
 Dominique Dunne and James T. Callahan | |
| Genre | Mystery |
| Written by | Chris Manheim |
| Directed by | Murray Golden |
| Starring | Dominique Dunne Roscoe Lee Brown Edie Adams |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| Production | |
| Producers | Diane Asselin Paul Asselin |
| Running time | 60 minutes |
| Original release | |
| Network | CBS |
| Release | September 8, 1981 |
The Haunting of Harrington House is a made for TV film and the second installment of the anthology series CBS Children's Mystery Theatre, that aired on September 8, 1981.[1][2][3] It is directed by Murray Golden.[4] It stars Dominique Dunne and Roscoe Lee Browne.
Plot
[edit]Polly Ames is a fourteen year old girl returning to her father’s hotel, Harrington House, after some time away. Upon arriving home, her father, Walter, tells her that strange events have been occurring, resulting in a loss of clientele. Due to the declining business, he may be forced to sell the hotel. Polly, who is an avid photographer, decides to investigate the mysterious events.
Polly meets a tenant, Diogenes Chase (D.C.), who offers to help her find the source of the disturbances. As a former teacher, D.C. encourages her to follow the clues and use her problem solving skills.
While investigating, Polly finds a loose clothing button next to the scene of one of the disturbances. She deduces that it may be a clue and keeps it. Later, when alone, she is approached by a mysterious figure in a black dress that demands the button be returned. Polly is overwhelmed and faints.
Cast
[edit]- Dominique Dunne as Polly Ames[5]
- Roscoe Lee Browne as Diogenes Chase[6]
- Edie Adams as Madame Zenia
- Phil Leeds as Uncle Max
- Vito Scotti as Marco Roselli
- James T. Callahan as Walter Ames
Production
[edit]The episode was filmed in a Los Angeles mansion. The mansion required several alterations, as well as lighting and camera techniques, to attain the mysterious atmosphere the director wanted.[7]
Dominique Dunne, who plays a photographer in the film, had also worked professionally as a photographer in the past.[8] Similarly, Vito Scotti, who plays the illusionist Roselli, had also worked as a professional illusionist.[3]
The Haunting of Harrington House was the second of five installments of The CBS Children’s Mystery Theatre. It was preceded by The Clue According To SHERLOCK HOLMES. The intent of the series was to teach children problem solving skills, specifically, the use of deductive reasoning.[9][10]
References
[edit]- ^ "Haunting of Harrington House (1982) - Murray Golden | Synopsis, Characteristics, Moods, Themes and Related", AllMovie, retrieved November 10, 2023
- ^ McNally, Owen (May 25, 2024). "CBS Mystery Thriller Excellent for Children". Hartford Courant. p. 55. Archived from the original on May 25, 2024. Retrieved May 27, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "Girl Makes Spirited Search". Florence Morning News. May 25, 2024. p. 28. Archived from the original on May 25, 2024. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
- ^ "The Haunting of Harrington House". Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
- ^ "The Murder of Dominique Dunne". Killer Queens: A True Crime Podcast. October 30, 2021. Retrieved November 23, 2023.
- ^ "Roscoe Lee Browne Remembered". Slice of SciFi. April 12, 2007. Retrieved November 23, 2023.
- ^ "Eerie Tale for Children". The Anniston Star. September 5, 1981. p. 49. Retrieved May 27, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Actress strives to be unusual". Clarion-Ledger. February 28, 1982. p. 128. Archived from the original on May 25, 2024. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
- ^ Finance, United States Congress House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Telecommunications, Consumer Protection, and (1983). Children and Television: Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Telecommunications, Consumer Protection, and Finance of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, House of Representatives, Ninety-eighth Congress, First Session, March 16, 1983. U.S. Government Printing Office.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "Article clipped from The Des Moines Register - Newspapers.com™". The Des Moines Register. 2024-05-25. p. 25. Archived from the original on 2024-05-25. Retrieved 2024-05-28.