Enjoyably outlandish made for TV movie. The plot is nothing new, just another rehash of the danger in the old creaky house thriller. What really is of interest in this is the cast. The great thing about these television films from the 60's and 70's is the ability they had to pull together high quality performers that you normally wouldn't see cast together. While this one manages to gather an awesome group of actresses the absurdity of casting them as sisters and Julie Harris as their stepmother, since none of them favor each other in the least nor Walter Brennan who is supposed to be their father, is a head scratcher. To add fuel to this particular fire is the fact that Sally Field and Eleanor Parker had just played mother and daughter the previous year in Maybe I'll Come Home in the Spring. Fun in an absurd way but not believable for a minute.
39 Reviews
Mysteries, Christmas trees, and a pitchfork.
Nightman857 August 2006
Well-done made for TV thriller is a little known but worth wild movie.
Sisters are summoned home by their bed-ridden father because he believes his new wife is trying to murder him. Now it seems that the whole family just may be on the murderer's hit list.
Thanks to its great cast, this becomes a surprising good thriller, especially considering it was made for TV in 1972. A well-mounted mystery with some good suspense and set-ups. Aided along by a fairly moody atmosphere; this Christmas there's no snow, just heavy rainstorms.
Sally Field, Jessica Walters, and the great Julie Harris turn in the best performances for this one. The subtle music score is nicely done, as is the whole movie. In fact, my only real complaint about this movie is the camera operator's apparent obsession with 'zoom' shots!
All around, this is a pretty decent little thriller that's worth a rainy night watch.
*** out of ****
Sisters are summoned home by their bed-ridden father because he believes his new wife is trying to murder him. Now it seems that the whole family just may be on the murderer's hit list.
Thanks to its great cast, this becomes a surprising good thriller, especially considering it was made for TV in 1972. A well-mounted mystery with some good suspense and set-ups. Aided along by a fairly moody atmosphere; this Christmas there's no snow, just heavy rainstorms.
Sally Field, Jessica Walters, and the great Julie Harris turn in the best performances for this one. The subtle music score is nicely done, as is the whole movie. In fact, my only real complaint about this movie is the camera operator's apparent obsession with 'zoom' shots!
All around, this is a pretty decent little thriller that's worth a rainy night watch.
*** out of ****
Home for the Holidays
Toronto858 July 2013
Four sisters come 'Home for the Holidays' when it appears that their father is dying. Their father tells them that his new wife Elizabeth is slowly poisoning him to death, and that he summoned them all there to kill her before she kills him! They just think he's a silly old man, but eventually the sister's begin being stalked (and some of them even killed) by a person in a bright yellow raincoat. This new wife of his was also suspected years ago of killing her first husband, but was never charged. It's a Christmas murder mystery, and with seemingly unhinged Elizabeth as the main suspect... will anyone survive?
I enjoyed 'Home for the Holidays', it's even become a Christmas tradition here at my place to watch it. However, it's not the best "Made for TV" movie put out there that's for sure. It drags on just a little too much, so some people might lose interest with it early on. Some of it plays off like a soap opera, with all of the in fighting with the sisters. It can get a little tedious, but I enjoyed the family squabbles to be honest. The acting was very dramatic and over the top, perfect for 1972. Sally Field puts in a good performance as the good sister Christine, and Julie Harris does well as Elizabeth.
'Home for the Holidays' has an interesting twist to the end of the mystery, which most people could probably see coming a mile away. Nevertheless, it's a good one and adds up to the story we get from the four sister's and how messed up they all are (minus Christine). I'd check this one out if you find it, it's a good addition to the "Holiday Horror" sub-genre.
7/10
I enjoyed 'Home for the Holidays', it's even become a Christmas tradition here at my place to watch it. However, it's not the best "Made for TV" movie put out there that's for sure. It drags on just a little too much, so some people might lose interest with it early on. Some of it plays off like a soap opera, with all of the in fighting with the sisters. It can get a little tedious, but I enjoyed the family squabbles to be honest. The acting was very dramatic and over the top, perfect for 1972. Sally Field puts in a good performance as the good sister Christine, and Julie Harris does well as Elizabeth.
'Home for the Holidays' has an interesting twist to the end of the mystery, which most people could probably see coming a mile away. Nevertheless, it's a good one and adds up to the story we get from the four sister's and how messed up they all are (minus Christine). I'd check this one out if you find it, it's a good addition to the "Holiday Horror" sub-genre.
7/10
Fun, low-budget thriller
Poseidon-314 August 2002
This is a neat little thriller by the prolific producing team of Spelling-Goldberg. It's written by the screenwriter of "Psycho"! When Christmas comes and a glut of weepy or cheerful specials are filling the airwaves, sometimes a dose of morbid, downbeat drama can be a nice change! Ever-cranky Brennan plays a father who is dying (and suspects his second wife, Harris, of doing him in.) He sends for his four daughters (Parker, Walter, Haworth, Field) to come to his aid. At 50, 32, 26 and 26, these ladies are the least likely sisters one could imagine! In fact, Parker had played Field's mother only two years prior. The ladies don't even look like they could be related. It matters little, though, once the drama sets in and the acting begins. Brennan apparently would have preferred sons as each lady has a male nickname: Alex, Freddie, Jo and Chris. Parker, still lovely when lit correctly, does a great job in her role. Harris matches her and gives a good performance in a difficult part. Walter is a touch over the top, but is fine and Field is charming...though eventually she gets to scream her head off. The film is very simple, made during a time when TV movies didn't feel the need to pad out to fill two hours if the material didn't warrant it. The movie, sans commercials, runs 78 minutes. The result is a pretty tight little story that builds to some genuine suspense. The climactic thunderstorm goes a long way in providing the right atmosphere.
Entertaining TV Movie
kayrannells20 October 2020
Written by Psycho's Joseph Stefano, Home For the Holidays involves a bunch of sisters reuniting at their ill father's home while someone's out there in a raincoat and pitchfork killing anyone in sight. Could it be their stepmother who might also be poisoning their father?
An early attempt at a slasher movie with an all star cast and network TV standards. Don't expect a lot of blood, because they weren't allowed to go very far on TV back when this was made, but it's nice to see the likes of Sally Field, Julie Harris, Jessica Walter, and Eleanor Parker in a film of this sort.
An early attempt at a slasher movie with an all star cast and network TV standards. Don't expect a lot of blood, because they weren't allowed to go very far on TV back when this was made, but it's nice to see the likes of Sally Field, Julie Harris, Jessica Walter, and Eleanor Parker in a film of this sort.
All-Star Holiday Horror
deborahrighetti1 December 2020
A really entertaining proto-slasher with an all star cast that tells the story of a dying man who summons his daughters back home for Christmas when he thinks his new wife might be poisoning him. Someone in a yellow raincoat and carrying a pitchfork doesn't want that secret getting out and, one by one, the daughters are terrorized and murdered. Acting is better than most films like this thanks to the great cast and the rainy atmosphere helps a lot in keeping things creepy. The only downside is that, given its TV movie origins, it can't embrace the slasher aspects as much as if it had been a theatrical release so all the horror scenes are kept in PG territory.
An old fashioned family melodrama updated for 70's audiences.
mark.waltz19 August 2014
Warning: Spoilers
There were dozens of low-budget programmers like this made in Hollywood through the 1930's and 40's where an aging matriarch or patriarch was concerned that some greedy family member was out to bump them off and summoned the entire family home. That's exactly what transpires here with three-time Oscar Winner Walter Brennan begging his four estranged daughters to come back for Christmas, concerned that his second wife (Julie Harris) is slowly poisoning him. The dour Harris has great reason to be so severe; If you were being accused of attempted murder and had already been through the same situation with your first spouse, ending up in a mental institution, you'd be dour, too.
The daughters are sensible oldest Eleanor Parker, self-centered Jill Haworth, substance abuser Jessica Walter and innocent baby Sally Field. Parker is already home when the others arrive, and with the glimpse of Harris standing on a staircase in the background, looking very much like Judith Anderson in "Rebecca", you know that the distrust between the step-family members is incredibly high. Brennan, decades after winning his last of three Oscars, is incredibly spry as the mostly bedridden octogenarian, while Harris is quietly mysterious as a possible black widow.
These four daughters are not at all alike in anyway, and they seem like they are from different parents. Parker is cool, calm, and collected, the epitome of reason, while Haworth, having lost count on how many marriages she's been through, is coldly distant from any relationship with both her father and her sisters. Walters is the most pathetic of the three, a far cry from her character in the previous year's "Play Misty For Me". Young Sally is obviously vulnerable and scared, unsure what to believe about Harris who tries to reach out to her. This leads up to some frightening sequences where the siblings find their lives in danger, and the carnage is pretty violent for being a "movie of the week" from the beginning of that genre.
Don't expect a happy holiday for the melodrama here, as nobody is happy to be home for the holidays. Don't expect Gidget or Sister Bertril from the young Sally who was preparing for more dramatic parts which lead her to the big screen and two Oscars for what she famously described as "an unorthodox career". The denouncement of the finale is somewhat forced, giving one of the stars a chance to show their ability of melodramatic over-acting. But when you've got a cast like this, you've got a film that can't be missed.
The daughters are sensible oldest Eleanor Parker, self-centered Jill Haworth, substance abuser Jessica Walter and innocent baby Sally Field. Parker is already home when the others arrive, and with the glimpse of Harris standing on a staircase in the background, looking very much like Judith Anderson in "Rebecca", you know that the distrust between the step-family members is incredibly high. Brennan, decades after winning his last of three Oscars, is incredibly spry as the mostly bedridden octogenarian, while Harris is quietly mysterious as a possible black widow.
These four daughters are not at all alike in anyway, and they seem like they are from different parents. Parker is cool, calm, and collected, the epitome of reason, while Haworth, having lost count on how many marriages she's been through, is coldly distant from any relationship with both her father and her sisters. Walters is the most pathetic of the three, a far cry from her character in the previous year's "Play Misty For Me". Young Sally is obviously vulnerable and scared, unsure what to believe about Harris who tries to reach out to her. This leads up to some frightening sequences where the siblings find their lives in danger, and the carnage is pretty violent for being a "movie of the week" from the beginning of that genre.
Don't expect a happy holiday for the melodrama here, as nobody is happy to be home for the holidays. Don't expect Gidget or Sister Bertril from the young Sally who was preparing for more dramatic parts which lead her to the big screen and two Oscars for what she famously described as "an unorthodox career". The denouncement of the finale is somewhat forced, giving one of the stars a chance to show their ability of melodramatic over-acting. But when you've got a cast like this, you've got a film that can't be missed.
bloodless but enjoyable
trashgang23 March 2011
This is made just before the slashers came out and it is a perfect example towards the slashers. Don't get me wrong, it's more an whodunit than a slasher but the first points to make it a slasher are visible. There are a few first person shots involved and we have a hero. They even try to mislead you by showing the killer's clothes a view times. On the point of gore or even blood well, there isn't any. It's somewhere between the Italian Giallo's and the, here we go again, slashers. But the acting is sublime and that's the reason why you keep watching. Up to this review it's only available on rental VHS in the US. And it doesn't go that cheap on the internet. Still for myself being a horror geek I enjoyed it. Even that it's low on the red stuff, but admit it, Texas Chainsaw and Halloween didn't had any blood too. If you are collection horror than this surely must be added in your collection.
Old-Fashioned Murder Mystery At Christmastime.
drownsoda902 April 2007
"Home For The Holidays", originally a made-for-television horror movie, is a neat little horror mystery that came a little before it's time. The plot centers around the Morgan family. Benjamin Morgan (Walter Brennan), an dying man, summons his four estranged daughters back home on Christmas Eve. The sisters include Alex (Eleanor Parker), the oldest of the group who is already staying at her father's house; Frederica (Jessica Walter, of "Play Misty For Me"), a pill-popping alcoholic who blames her father for their mother's suicide; Joanna (Jill Haworth), a somewhat stuck-up party girl; and Christine (Sally Field), the innocent one, and the youngest of the family. When the girls arrive, their father reveals to them that his current wife, Elizabeth (Julie Harris, of "The Haunting"), who was suspected of her previous husband's death, is poisoning him slowly, and that he essentially wants his daughters to murder her. But it seems that the Morgan sisters have a surprise visitor - and it's not Santa Claus. A pitchfork wielding maniac in a rain slicker begins to stalk and murder the sisters - but who could it be? With the phones dead and the roads washed out due to a heavy rainstorm, the sisters are trapped there while the unseen killer begins to pick them off one by one.
I was really surprised at how good this film turned out to be. Originally aired on ABC in late November 1972, "Home For The Holidays" is a solid and suspenseful little made-for-TV movie. Probably the very first holiday-horror film, this one predates "Black Christmas" and all the other Christmas-set horror films that followed. The story is absolutely wonderful. Not only is it original (especially if you consider the time it was written), but it also provides a good amount of shocks and some great mysteries for the audience to try and solve themselves, along with a solid sustainment of suspense. It's no surprise that the writing is so good though, considering the film was written by Joseph Stefano, who wrote Alfred Hitchcock's 1960 film classic, "Psycho". The script is excellent and there are some great horror set-ups (including a pretty lengthy chase scene with Sally Field through the woods), plus some nice plot twists that will keep you guessing.
The cast is made up of mostly female actresses, and they really are all great. Sally Field pulls off the innocent youngster of the girls (and the main heroine) well - her performing skills were wonderful, even in her early career. The great Julie Harris plays the mysterious, 'wicked stepmother', and does it precisely. We aren't sure if we should consider her a suspect or not, although quite a few things are pointing in her direction. Jessica Walter is the frantic, pill-popping sister who resents her father, and is also very good. All in all, the cast is great, and there are very few corny moments. Atmosphere is a big part of this film as well. The setting is a secluded mansion, perfect place to set a murder mystery. While the film takes place during Christmas, there are rainstorms rather than snowstorms - a bit of an edgy but nice decision from the filmmakers, the thunder and lightning add to the spookiness. The only real holiday scenery that we get is a grand Christmas tree in the center of the coiling staircase, and a wreathe on the front door - like in "Black Christmas", it is obvious that it is Christmastime, but the theme isn't too overdone. There are a couple of murders in the film, but keeping in mind that this was a television film, there is very little in the way of violence - not that it's a bad thing, this film is creepy enough without showing too much. The suspense factor is really the kicker for this one.
Overall, "Home For The Holidays" is a good old-fashioned murder mystery set during Christmas. It's suspenseful, spooky, and really well-written (plus the cast is really excellent as well). If you enjoy old fashioned murder/mystery films (and would be interested in seeing a young Sally Field chased by a pitchfork-wielding murderer), this one will keep you guessing the killer's identity until the final revelation. If you can manage to get a hold of the out-of-print VHS, I'd really recommend it. This holiday horror film is worth a look. 8/10.
I was really surprised at how good this film turned out to be. Originally aired on ABC in late November 1972, "Home For The Holidays" is a solid and suspenseful little made-for-TV movie. Probably the very first holiday-horror film, this one predates "Black Christmas" and all the other Christmas-set horror films that followed. The story is absolutely wonderful. Not only is it original (especially if you consider the time it was written), but it also provides a good amount of shocks and some great mysteries for the audience to try and solve themselves, along with a solid sustainment of suspense. It's no surprise that the writing is so good though, considering the film was written by Joseph Stefano, who wrote Alfred Hitchcock's 1960 film classic, "Psycho". The script is excellent and there are some great horror set-ups (including a pretty lengthy chase scene with Sally Field through the woods), plus some nice plot twists that will keep you guessing.
The cast is made up of mostly female actresses, and they really are all great. Sally Field pulls off the innocent youngster of the girls (and the main heroine) well - her performing skills were wonderful, even in her early career. The great Julie Harris plays the mysterious, 'wicked stepmother', and does it precisely. We aren't sure if we should consider her a suspect or not, although quite a few things are pointing in her direction. Jessica Walter is the frantic, pill-popping sister who resents her father, and is also very good. All in all, the cast is great, and there are very few corny moments. Atmosphere is a big part of this film as well. The setting is a secluded mansion, perfect place to set a murder mystery. While the film takes place during Christmas, there are rainstorms rather than snowstorms - a bit of an edgy but nice decision from the filmmakers, the thunder and lightning add to the spookiness. The only real holiday scenery that we get is a grand Christmas tree in the center of the coiling staircase, and a wreathe on the front door - like in "Black Christmas", it is obvious that it is Christmastime, but the theme isn't too overdone. There are a couple of murders in the film, but keeping in mind that this was a television film, there is very little in the way of violence - not that it's a bad thing, this film is creepy enough without showing too much. The suspense factor is really the kicker for this one.
Overall, "Home For The Holidays" is a good old-fashioned murder mystery set during Christmas. It's suspenseful, spooky, and really well-written (plus the cast is really excellent as well). If you enjoy old fashioned murder/mystery films (and would be interested in seeing a young Sally Field chased by a pitchfork-wielding murderer), this one will keep you guessing the killer's identity until the final revelation. If you can manage to get a hold of the out-of-print VHS, I'd really recommend it. This holiday horror film is worth a look. 8/10.
Nothing like a good murder at Christmas time
acidburn-1020 March 2010
The plot = Four sisters are summoned back to they're family home by their sick father who suspects that his current wife is slowly poisoning him Though the sisters disagree on the validity of their Father's rantings, it soon becomes clear that someone wants to silence the girls as well! But who could it be? There's nothing like a good murder at Christmas time. An old Gothic mansion, mystery and suspense are all the makings for a good horror, in this early 70's TV movie. Although not bloody or gory, it's the performances that makes this movie work, especially from the 4 sisters, we get Alex played beautifully by Eleanor Parker whose the oldest sister who watches over her three younger siblings ever since they're mother died, then we have the party girl Jo (Played by British Actress Jill Haworth), Freddie the tragic pill popping alcoholic whose never got over her mother's death (A wonderfully hammy performance by Jessica Walter) and the youngest sister the sweet naive Christine (Played by Sally Field) who would go on to bigger and better things. We also have Julie Harris who plays the step mother who was once accused of poisoning her last husband, could she be doing it again.
The dark eerie settings of the mansion and the tension between the sisters really makes this movie work mixes up the horror/thriller themes of the 50's and 60's and before (old dark house; sibling rivalry; American Gothic; grand inheritances and murderous motives) and what was to become the slasher standards of the 80's. Sally Field makes a wonderful heroine like when she's getting stalked in the hoods by someone with a pitchfork and yellow raincoat. This movie was very low budget and it does show in some parts and also, this movie does get quite boring at times, but other than that, this relatively unknown thriller makes for good viewing.
The dark eerie settings of the mansion and the tension between the sisters really makes this movie work mixes up the horror/thriller themes of the 50's and 60's and before (old dark house; sibling rivalry; American Gothic; grand inheritances and murderous motives) and what was to become the slasher standards of the 80's. Sally Field makes a wonderful heroine like when she's getting stalked in the hoods by someone with a pitchfork and yellow raincoat. This movie was very low budget and it does show in some parts and also, this movie does get quite boring at times, but other than that, this relatively unknown thriller makes for good viewing.
Morgan Family Values
bkoganbing22 April 2015
It's not a happy Christmas for the unhappy Morgan sisters. Their father whom they've been estranged for years from has summoned them to his bed side. It's not happy news that Walter Brennan brings them. He thinks that his second wife Julie Harris is trying to poison him.
The sisters cover quite a span of years. From Eleanor Parker the oldest to Sally Field the youngest with Jessica Walter and Jill Haworth in the middle. None of them seem to have any men in their lives for various reasons. Brennan was quite the tyrant in his younger days and no doubt scared a lot of them off.
As it goes in these Gothic horror films the bodies start dropping and the survivors start running. One of the women is indeed the guilty party. I think you'll probably figure it out as this is a made for TV film. A theatrical film might have had it come out differently.
The cast is as professional as they come. Sally Field was shedding her Gidget/Flying Nun image and on her way to a pair of Oscars. Eleanor Parker is the tower of strength and Walter and Haworth are a pair of party animals. Brennan did not look well, I suspect he was having real health issues.
Fans of Gothic horror and any and all of the cast should be pleased.
The sisters cover quite a span of years. From Eleanor Parker the oldest to Sally Field the youngest with Jessica Walter and Jill Haworth in the middle. None of them seem to have any men in their lives for various reasons. Brennan was quite the tyrant in his younger days and no doubt scared a lot of them off.
As it goes in these Gothic horror films the bodies start dropping and the survivors start running. One of the women is indeed the guilty party. I think you'll probably figure it out as this is a made for TV film. A theatrical film might have had it come out differently.
The cast is as professional as they come. Sally Field was shedding her Gidget/Flying Nun image and on her way to a pair of Oscars. Eleanor Parker is the tower of strength and Walter and Haworth are a pair of party animals. Brennan did not look well, I suspect he was having real health issues.
Fans of Gothic horror and any and all of the cast should be pleased.
Jill Haworth is wonderful! Excellent scare flick
salmineo30 May 2001
This movie is filled with so many guilty pleasures and over the top moments,it's a genuine classic! Produced by Aaron Spelling, the film carries a "Melrose Place" type campiness,and a lot of fun to watch. After their father sends them a letter saying his wife is trying to poison him, the four sisters return home for Christmas,and are stalked by a pitchfork happy psychopath. Jill Haworth is gorgeous and gives a deliciously bitchy performance,which is a different type of character than she usually plays. Sally Field is excellent as the "good" sister,and Jessica Walter's boozing and pill popping moments are even more over the top than her performance in "play misty for me". Hysterical stuff! Julie Harris,James Dean's love interest in the film classic "East of Eden" is also excellent as the wicked step-mother,who may or may not actually be the wicked one! GREAT FILM!
Good...could have been better.
planktonrules19 October 2016
When the film begins, Benjamin (Walter Brennan) has brought his four daughters home using various pretenses. His real goal is to gather them together to ask them to do him a favor...murder his wife Elizabeth (Julie Harris). He's convinced she's trying to poison him and although he's been a poor father, he tries to use guilt to get them to do the deed. Not surprisingly, they don't....but soon the daughters start dying off one by one. Who is responsible?
This is a good made for TV film with one big problem...the casting of the daughters. You are expected to believe Sally Field (26) and Eleanor Parker (53) are sisters! A mother and daughter, maybe...but not sisters. Some just be able to look past this...I couldn't. It's a shame as with a more believable cast, the film would have been even better. The plot is interesting and the film worth your time...though I did predict the ending.
This is a good made for TV film with one big problem...the casting of the daughters. You are expected to believe Sally Field (26) and Eleanor Parker (53) are sisters! A mother and daughter, maybe...but not sisters. Some just be able to look past this...I couldn't. It's a shame as with a more believable cast, the film would have been even better. The plot is interesting and the film worth your time...though I did predict the ending.
Pretty Good Horror-Thriller
Rainey-Dawn9 December 2019
A great yuletide horror film!
terrortrap21 June 1999
This Christmas thriller is unique for a bunch of reasons. In addition to a solid cast and good acting, this TV movie creates a surprisingly early slasher atmosphere, replete with a mysterious hooded killer, wet rain, and woodsy setting. Julie Harris, Sally Field, Jessica Walter, and Eleanor Parker are all superb.
For those who like their Yuletide cheer mingled from time to time with a good thriller or slasher flick, try this kissing cousin to Bob Clark's "Black Christmas." It's sure to bring a smile to your face around the warm, Christmas fire!
For those who like their Yuletide cheer mingled from time to time with a good thriller or slasher flick, try this kissing cousin to Bob Clark's "Black Christmas." It's sure to bring a smile to your face around the warm, Christmas fire!
Maybe not for the kids...
BandSAboutMovies16 December 2017
Warning: Spoilers
Originally airing on November 28, 1972, this ABC-TV movie was produced by Aaron Spelling and debuted on VHS in 1986. It's packed with future talent and is at the center of what we love most here: TV movies, Christmas movies and horror.
Benjamin Morgan (Walter Brennan, Rio Bravo) is rich and dying and suspects his wife, Elizabeth (Julie Harris, one of America's most famous stage actresses), of poisoning him. He sends his oldest daughter, Alex (Eleanor Parker, Eye of the Cat) to find her three sisters and bring them home - the first time they've been back since their mother's suicide.
The three sisters are Freddie (Jessica Walter, Arrested Development), Joanna (Jill Haworth, The Brides of Dracula) and Christine (Sally Field, Steel Magnolias). Their father tells them that they must kill their stepmother before she kills them. At dinner that night, Joanna harangues her stepmother with questions about how her first husband died, while Freddie screams in her room about how their father's affairs led to their mother killing herself.
This is obviously the holiday get-together everyone hoped for.
Soon after, Joanna tries to leave but is killed by a pitchfork-wielding person in a yellow raincoat. That same killer also drowns Feddie in the bathtub while Elizabeth keeps offering everyone warmed milk and honey. Soon, the phone line gets cut and everyone is trapped with a killer. But who is it?
There are plenty of twists and turns here, as the love between a father and daughter and the love between husband and wife is contested. It's bloodless, as it's a TV movie, but it's also pretty dark, because the 1970's were the end of the world and the movies made then reflected it. You also get a cast packed with Oscar winners and nominees, all acting within basically one or two rooms, so there's plenty of emotion and suspense.
Benjamin Morgan (Walter Brennan, Rio Bravo) is rich and dying and suspects his wife, Elizabeth (Julie Harris, one of America's most famous stage actresses), of poisoning him. He sends his oldest daughter, Alex (Eleanor Parker, Eye of the Cat) to find her three sisters and bring them home - the first time they've been back since their mother's suicide.
The three sisters are Freddie (Jessica Walter, Arrested Development), Joanna (Jill Haworth, The Brides of Dracula) and Christine (Sally Field, Steel Magnolias). Their father tells them that they must kill their stepmother before she kills them. At dinner that night, Joanna harangues her stepmother with questions about how her first husband died, while Freddie screams in her room about how their father's affairs led to their mother killing herself.
This is obviously the holiday get-together everyone hoped for.
Soon after, Joanna tries to leave but is killed by a pitchfork-wielding person in a yellow raincoat. That same killer also drowns Feddie in the bathtub while Elizabeth keeps offering everyone warmed milk and honey. Soon, the phone line gets cut and everyone is trapped with a killer. But who is it?
There are plenty of twists and turns here, as the love between a father and daughter and the love between husband and wife is contested. It's bloodless, as it's a TV movie, but it's also pretty dark, because the 1970's were the end of the world and the movies made then reflected it. You also get a cast packed with Oscar winners and nominees, all acting within basically one or two rooms, so there's plenty of emotion and suspense.
Precursor to the looming onslaught of slashers
Wuchakk23 February 2022
Four daughters visit their ailing father (Walter Brennan) at his rural estate in SoCal for the holidays. He insists that his current wife is poisoning him (Julie Harris) and people start dying during a rainstorm. The daughters are: The wise older sibling, Alex (Eleanor Parker); the neurotic alcoholic Freddie (Jessica Walter); the promiscuous Jo (Jill Haworth); and the winsome youth Christie (Sally Field).
"Home for the Holidays" (1972) is a drama/mystery with some horror elements that was originally released as a TV movie on ABC. As my title blurb states, this was the forerunner to the forthcoming rush of slashers by the early 80s. Sure, it's understandably tamer and more dramatic, but it has a killer in a hooded raincoat with a pitchfork, as shown on the poster, which is reminiscent of the slicker-wearing killer with a hook in "I know What You Did Last Summer" (1997).
The flick works up some nice creepy ambiance with the storm, the mystery slayer and the macabre deaths. While Sally Field is fetching, Jill Haworth wins out on the beauty front IMHO.
Forty minutes into the story I had a theory about the identity of the murderer, but changed my mind five minutes later and was right. See if you can figure it out.
The film runs 1 hour, 14 minutes, and was shot at 20th Century Fox Studios, including 20th Century Fox Ranch, Malibu Creek State Park, California.
GRADE: B-
"Home for the Holidays" (1972) is a drama/mystery with some horror elements that was originally released as a TV movie on ABC. As my title blurb states, this was the forerunner to the forthcoming rush of slashers by the early 80s. Sure, it's understandably tamer and more dramatic, but it has a killer in a hooded raincoat with a pitchfork, as shown on the poster, which is reminiscent of the slicker-wearing killer with a hook in "I know What You Did Last Summer" (1997).
The flick works up some nice creepy ambiance with the storm, the mystery slayer and the macabre deaths. While Sally Field is fetching, Jill Haworth wins out on the beauty front IMHO.
Forty minutes into the story I had a theory about the identity of the murderer, but changed my mind five minutes later and was right. See if you can figure it out.
The film runs 1 hour, 14 minutes, and was shot at 20th Century Fox Studios, including 20th Century Fox Ranch, Malibu Creek State Park, California.
GRADE: B-
A Made For TV Horror Treat
joanclarke-8166129 April 2023
A star studded cast featuring Sally Field, Jessica Walter, Julie Harris, and Eleanor Parker are not the ones you expect to see in a film of this sort, but it's a tightly scripted and well-executed murder mystery that feels like an early example of the slasher film before the formula was tweaked by the likes of Black Christmas, Halloween, and Friday the 13th. Considering its 70's TV movie roots, it's a mostly bloodless film, but that gives us more time to spend with the characters and the oppressive rainy ambiance around this house. They do a great job of making everything feel tense and claustrophobic. It would be excellent to see this film remastered and available on Blu-Ray.
Simply having a traumatizing Christmas time!
Coventry26 December 2016
Yours truly is a man of many silly traditions, and one of them is that I insist on watching one Christmas-themed horror movie per year during the Holiday period! Since I've been doing this for many years already, it's getting more difficult each year to select a worthwhile holiday-horror title each year. At first I was thrilled to have stumbled upon this "Home for the Holidays", but in all honesty it's only a very standard and numeric whodunit TV-thriller and there just happens to stand a Christmas tree in the entrance hall of the house where most of the film is set. Apart from the tree and the holiday reference in the title, "Home for the Holidays" isn't at all what you expect from a Christmas horror flick. There aren't any maniacal killers dressed up as Santa or demonic elves, and even the typical Christmassy circumstances got overlooked. For example, there's a thunderstorm raging outside instead of snowflakes tumbling down. Joseph Stefano, who also wrote the screenplay of the legendary "Psycho", delivered the script to TV-producer Aaron Spelling and multi-talented director John Llewellyn Moxey. Impressive names, to say the least, and the cast list is also stupendous, but the movie itself is less than memorable. Benjamin Morgan begs for his four adult daughters to return home because he's convinced that his second wife Elizabeth is slowly poisoning him to death. The daughters believe him, because Elizabeth's first husband also died under mysterious circumstances, but still they're reluctant to help their father. For you see, Benjamin always was a tyrant and the daughters feel that he drove their beloved mother to commit suicide. Shortly after, a murderous psychopath dressed in a raincoat and waving around a pitchfork makes it clear that nobody of the Morgan family is supposed to survive this Christmas. The mystery/whodunit factor of this film is probably one of the weakest and most predictable ones I've ever seen. One good glimpse at all the faces of the lead players is enough to guess who the killer is, and when and his/her motivations get revealed at the end, it makes little to no sense. The main reason to track down and watch "Home for the Holidays" is undoubtedly the female top-cast! Jessica Walter, Jill Hayworth, Eleanor Parker and Julie Harris all give away superb performances. But the girl standing in the spotlights the most here is Sally Field as the youngest and most innocent daughter Christine. Sally was 26 years old around the time of release, but here she looks like an adorable angel not a day over 15.
Pretty good
Halfbreed262723 January 2002
Four daughters return to the old homestead when they receive a note from their elderly father saying his new wife is slowly poisoning him to death. The daughters are an eclectic bunch; an alcoholic obsessed with the memory of their dead mother, a many-times married blonde, the eldest sister who constantly frets over them and the youngest who doesn't seem to know what's going on through most of the film, played by a very young Sally Field. The rain has washed out the road (hate when that happens)the phone is dead and someone is bumping off the family one by one. For an older tv movie this one is actually done pretty well. Decent writing and well acted, it will have you guessing. **1/2
Goreless holiday thriller that is average but fun.
abduktionsphanomen11 December 2022
Home For The Holidays - 1972
(This Film Rates a C+ )
A made for television horror film with a young Sally Field and Aaron Spelling producing. Four sisters come home for Christmas as their father lays dying, He suspects that his second wife is poisoning him and alerts his daughters. Not all believe his paranoia or care what happens to him. The father asks his daughters to kill his wife. The wife is made out to be creepy especially at the dinner speech at the 22-minute mark. One daughter becomes the crazy alcoholic, and another tries to leave early. One by one they are stalked and killed by an assailant in a yellow raincoat. The twist ending is pretty obvious but is still effective. The gore is minimal and most of the murders are committed off screen. It also tends to drag on a little too long but there is some fair amount of intensity here. It has a very 70's television special feel. Sadly, no snow, just a bad Christmas thunderstorm. There is a Christmas tree and a wreath on the front door but not much else to make this so much of a holiday film.
"That woman has ears that can hear sunshine!"
"That woman has ears that can hear sunshine!"
Too much screaming
ThunderKing630 October 2022
Hello welcome back to another one of my reviews. Today I review and you will read about Home for the Holidays.
About: Someone is killing people in the family. People scream. That's about it.
Genre: suspense, horror
Story and Production: Simple story of someone killing people. They think its "A" but then there is a twist. I didn't much care because the movie was boring. Production wise it was ok. Mostly everything takes place in the house. The acting was meh. Not bad, just no energy.
Duration length: A good hour film.
Highlight: Nothing really
Soundtrack: classical and nice.
Do any worthless mutts appear?: No, Thank Odin
Is this film worthy? No
Main intelligence: With all the screaming going on, They had no time to use their brain.
Should you watch this? Nah. Skip this one.
About: Someone is killing people in the family. People scream. That's about it.
Genre: suspense, horror
Story and Production: Simple story of someone killing people. They think its "A" but then there is a twist. I didn't much care because the movie was boring. Production wise it was ok. Mostly everything takes place in the house. The acting was meh. Not bad, just no energy.
Duration length: A good hour film.
Highlight: Nothing really
Soundtrack: classical and nice.
Do any worthless mutts appear?: No, Thank Odin
Is this film worthy? No
Main intelligence: With all the screaming going on, They had no time to use their brain.
Should you watch this? Nah. Skip this one.
A Feel Good Drama for the Holidays
merrywater17 August 2017
I remember seeing this movie once as a kid. Three items present made an impression on me: the yellow slicker or rain coat, the gloves, and the dark blue Mercedes Benz 300 SEL. I was positively surprised to see this movie online and the sentimental journey of seeing it anew was quite a charge to me!
HFTH is perhaps not too original, being a kind of family murder mystery, but childhood nostalgia is childhood nostalgia, and the musical score is actually breathtaking - almost as if composed by some neoclassical master. Very well suited for this rather 'gothic' melodrama. The composer was George Aliceson(!) Tipton - a prolific creator of soundtracks back then.
Two household names of the 70s appear in this ABC movie of the week: Sally Field and Jessica Walter. Having been somewhat type-cast as a neurotic, Walter plays an alcoholic here, and she does not survive to the final credits.
A feel good drama for the frequently boring Christmas/New Year's Holidays, I dare say.
HFTH is perhaps not too original, being a kind of family murder mystery, but childhood nostalgia is childhood nostalgia, and the musical score is actually breathtaking - almost as if composed by some neoclassical master. Very well suited for this rather 'gothic' melodrama. The composer was George Aliceson(!) Tipton - a prolific creator of soundtracks back then.
Two household names of the 70s appear in this ABC movie of the week: Sally Field and Jessica Walter. Having been somewhat type-cast as a neurotic, Walter plays an alcoholic here, and she does not survive to the final credits.
A feel good drama for the frequently boring Christmas/New Year's Holidays, I dare say.
Not very good
Christmas-Reviewer23 March 2017
BEWARE OF BOGUS REVIEWS. SOME REVIEWERS HAVE ONLY ONE REVIEW TO THEIR NAME. NOW WHEN ITS A POSITIVE REVIEW THAT TELLS ME THEY WERE INVOLVED WITH THE MOVIE. IF ITS A NEGATIVE REVIEW THEN THEY MIGHT HAVE A GRUDGE AGAINST THE FILM . NOW I HAVE REVIEWED OVER 200 HOLIDAY FILMS. I HAVE NO AGENDA. I AM VERY FARE ABOUT THESE FILMS.
This film suffers from great expectations on my part. The cast is stellar and the writer is the man who wrote the adaption of "Psycho".
Home for the Holidays is a 1972 American made-for-television horror film directed by John Llewellyn Moxey, produced by Aaron Spelling and starring Sally Field, Eleanor Parker, Julie Harris, Jessica Walter and Walter Brennan which premiered on ABC on November 28, 1972. The plot focuses on a wealthy father on his deathbed who invites his four daughters home for Christmas and tells them he suspects his second wife of poisoning him. Shortly after, the girls learn that their stepmother was accused of killing her first husband, and they begin to fall prey to a killer dressed in a yellow rain slicker.
The film has a minor following. If you are a fan of any of the cast then its worth a look. This film suffers from great expectations on my part. The cast is stellar and the writer is the man who wrote the adaption of "Psycho".
Don't expect too much!
This film suffers from great expectations on my part. The cast is stellar and the writer is the man who wrote the adaption of "Psycho".
Home for the Holidays is a 1972 American made-for-television horror film directed by John Llewellyn Moxey, produced by Aaron Spelling and starring Sally Field, Eleanor Parker, Julie Harris, Jessica Walter and Walter Brennan which premiered on ABC on November 28, 1972. The plot focuses on a wealthy father on his deathbed who invites his four daughters home for Christmas and tells them he suspects his second wife of poisoning him. Shortly after, the girls learn that their stepmother was accused of killing her first husband, and they begin to fall prey to a killer dressed in a yellow rain slicker.
The film has a minor following. If you are a fan of any of the cast then its worth a look. This film suffers from great expectations on my part. The cast is stellar and the writer is the man who wrote the adaption of "Psycho".
Don't expect too much!
Four estranged daughters are summoned home by their ailing father who insists that his new wife is trying to murder him.
verna5521 September 2000
Definitely not your run-of-the-mill family/Christmas reunion tale, this surprisingly suspenseful made for TV horror flick explores the darker side of the holiday season. The all-star cast(Sally Field, Eleanor Parker, Julie Harris, Jessica Walter, Jill Haworth, Walter Brennan) is wonderful, the direction(by John Moxey) is rock solid, and the script(by Joseph Stefano, of PSYCHO fame) is a good, effectively creepy little story.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
