1986
Director: Steve Miner Writer: Ethan Wiley Actors: William Katt, George Wendt, Richard Moll
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My first impression of House was that it was going to be cheesy. As it turns out, it is cheesy, but in a very good way. Roger Cobb (played by William Katt of The Greatest American Hero fame) has just moved into the house his aunt committed suicide in, purportedly upon seeing a ghost. Naturally, it's a creepy, atmospherically lit Victorian mansion. His son went missing a few years ago, his wife left him, and his whole life basicly sucks at this point. Good thing he's not superstitous. Otherwise, he might not be able to obliviously wander around in his goofy plunging neckline V-neck sweater, writing his novel.
One thing that makes this different from most horror movie scenarios is that Roger doesn't come across as an idiot. Even after experiencing frightening visions, he generally comes across as more cautiously courageous than stupid. Also, the supernatural events are played (mostly successfully) for laughs just as often as they are for chills. One of the most hilarious moments I've ever seen in any movie is the sight of Roger preparing to do battle with the spirits by decking himself out in Army gear, doing a drop and roll down the stairs, and sliding out the front door on his knees, belting out a battle cry! (Check out the Betacam camcorders he uses to catch the ghosts on tape.) His slightly dimwitted neighbor, played by the consistently amusing George Wendt (of Cheers fame), comes along just at that moment, and Roger has to explain himself.
It only gets better as you near the ending. The action stays consistently exciting, and there's a unique premise- instead of happening for the hell of it, the hauntings are closely connected to a dark secret from Roger's time in the Vietnam War. This is a rollicking, self-aware horror/comedy that proves Scream didn't invent the genre.
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