moonspinner55 A biographer and his wife move into the old Hollywood mansion of 1930s movie star Lorna Love, who died at a young age and whose body lies in state on the property--embalmed and behind glass. The couple is writing a book on Lorna and want to be close to her spirit, but get more than they bargained for (surely other books about such a world famous star had been written before, but the movie doesn't take details like that into consideration). The agenda here is to have the writer, whose own father once had a torrid affair with Lorna, become hypnotized by the girl's portrait and turn against his wife, all while someone dressed in black is lurking around causing trouble. Tacky TV-movie from the prolific producing team of Aaron Spelling and Leonard Goldberg, here working with a fifth-rate script, a cheap rehash of 1968's "The Legend of Lylah Clare" (itself a mishmash of movie memories). Kate Jackson runs from room to room in the mansion calling out for husband Robert Wagner, who isn't doing any writing; Sylvia Sidney is the faithful housekeeper, still on staff in the empty house; and Joan Blondell is a friend from the old days who hints that Lorna and she were involved in witchcraft. The sepia-toned flashbacks are well done, though Marianna Hill is all wrong as Lorna Love (she's too modern), and James Barnett's teleplay is full of dead ends and deadly talk. A twist at the finish line brings up more questions than Barnett or director E.W. Swackhamer could ever hope to answer, while Wagner's book (a MacGuffin, as it turns out) appears to be permanently shelved.

wes-connors Attractive husband and wife writing team Robert Wagner (as Joel Gregory) and Kate Jackson (as Donna Gregory) arrive at the spooky mansion of actress "Lorna Love" (actually, silent film star Harold Lloyd's house). Mr. Wagner and Ms. Jackson are contracted to write the silent movie star's biography. Wagner has a personal interest in the project, since his father was once the famed star's lover. Mysterious events unfold, and Jackson must fight to save her husband from the spirit of the beautiful blonde, who is "perfectly preserved" in a crypt on the estate; moreover, the evil woman seems bent on possessing her husband, and murdering Jackson! This is very much a "Night of Dark Shadows" variation, co-starring genuine "Dark Shadows" alumni Kate Jackson, who knows and plays her part well. Robert Wagner lacks David Selby's intensity. Sylvia Sidney (as Mrs. Josephs) sidesteps Grayson Hall. Marianna Hill is not a match for Lara Parker (or Diana Millay). Bill Macy (as Oscar Payne) is good in a part that would have been played by John Karlen (in a Dan Curtis production).There are smooth cameos by Joan Blondell, John Carradine, and Dorothy Lamour. Ms. Lamour's delivery resembles Joan Bennett, which begs the question: why didn't producer Aaron Spelling get more of the original "Dark Shadows" regulars? Director E.W. Swackhamer was Bridget Hanley's husband; he worked with Ms. Blondell on "Here Come the Brides", and with Jackson on "The Rookies". "Death at Love House" has, arguably, a tighter storyline than the "Night of Dark Shadows" film; it differs in the movie star angle; and, in its "Father Eternal Fire" ending, it more closely resembles the TVseries' "Laura the Phoenix" storyline. **** Death at Love House (9/3/76) E.W. Swackhamer ~ Robert Wagner, Kate Jackson, Sylvia Sidney

pmac1978 I saw this flick on video as a kid and just recently purchased a DVD copy. The film transfer to DVD is god awful proving grainy and scratchy. However, this film deserves it's place among the campy horror flicks of the 70's and early 80's. Along the lines of "The Monster Club" and "The Night Stalker" .Starring The one and only Angel herself, Kate Jackson, this film is almost an exact replica of her earlier film debut, "Night Of Dark Shadows". Only better. I've always felt that Night of Dark Shadows is so lackluster because it never decides what it wants to be. Serious, Campy, artsy...you get the picture. Obscenely slow paced and with a rather mundane , molasses slow script.Death At Love House moves at a much faster pace and is 10 times more entertaining . It is a kind of "House on Haunted Hill" of the 70's! (The Vincent Price version, not the terrible remake). Even with it's low budget and production values . Stars such as John Carradine, Dorothy Lamour and Joan Blondell make the most of their cameo appearances and add to the films charm. The brilliant Sylvia Sydney is the perfect choice for the creepy house keeper a la Judith Anderson and Grayson Hall. My main complaint is that she does not get enough screen time. Just like Hall in Night of Dark Shadows, Sydney is not utilized enough.Robert Wagner phones in his performance as the doomed love interest of Lorna Love, played by Mariana Hill. I agree with the previous reviewer, Hill (while stunning) is about as convincing as silent film star as Brittney Spears. Kate is Kate. She may be thinking, "why the hell did i agree to do this?! But gives 200% as the tortured ingénue .The film delivers the goods when it comes to entertaining. Now, don't misunderstand me. Death at Love House is never going to receive any great acclaim, it's not any great piece of cinema. It is what it is. A very enjoyable TV horror romp from yester-year. Check it out.

deh-5 An incredibly dumb young couple move into the gorgeous mansion of long dead movie queen. They soon find that her legend is more powerful than they ever imagined, possibly more powerful than their own love. To be blunt it plays like an extended Fantasy Island segment, which is no surprise since the movie and the show are from the same creators. But it's worth a look for some clever stunt casting of Hollywood legends. And it's filmed at the Harold Lloyd estate which alone is worth the time. TV fans might find some interest in a young Kate Jackson who is really quite attractive with a mid 70s natural look and Robert Wagner who either is trying to play extremely cool or is just plain bored.