Gymnopedies Haunted house movies can be extremely creepy and atmospheric when done right, the tension builds and builds, they grab you and don't let you go. They need to be precisely and brilliantly choreographed. They can also be a hell of a lot of fun. Don't Go to Sleep has all this in abundance. This lesser known TV horror classic made such an impression on me that still remember it as if I watching it right now. What Don't Go to Sleep is, is a quintessential made-for-TV horror movie from the eighties, that is surprisingly creepy and genuinely terrifying that possesses a thick atmosphere that you could almost drown in. There was some great TV movies made during the 1970's, and on the face of it, it would seem that that tradition carried on, at least, through the eighties. Don't Go to Sleep is an astonishingly creepy made-for-television film, and one of the best made for television horror films that I've ever seen.The plot centres on an all-American family who a year previously were in a car accident as the father, Phillip (played by Dennis Weaver), was driving under the influence. The oldest daughter, Jennifer (played by Kristen Cumming), unfortunately gets killed due to a terrible prank gone wrong, played on her by her younger siblings. The family decide to move in with their grandmother, Bernice (played by Ruth Gordon) so they can care for her. It is in this house, where the younger daughter begins hearing things and experiences strange events. She seeks revenge on her family by using her sister as a medium for her diabolical revenge on her family. She carries out her revenge - by wiping out the members of her own family, one by one, in the most horrific of ways. There are some genuinely effective creepy scenes: like the creepy scene involving the younger sister, while sinisterly running the pizza cutter along the banister of the stairs about to attack her mother with it, who is upstairs, was truly scary. The ending to the film is quite possibly is the most terrifying ending to any film I have ever seen. While her mother is sleeping, Jennifer appears in front of her bed with an evil knowing grin on her face. When her mother screams, the movie abruptly ends. Try watching that before you go to bed!Although restrained in terms of budget - which most TV movies are), the plot is the main theme which really makes this film very creepy and scary. Ruth Gordon, Dennis Weaver and Valerie Harper give great real performances, all too real performances at times. The story is tightly written, which builds a nice atmosphere to a chilling climax which will leave the viewer sitting on the edge of their seat. Don't Go to Sleep pulls no punches with suspense and shocks, but it never resorts to outlandish and pointless gore to get its point across, but instead it relies on old-fashioned suspense, which is refreshing to behold. It is up their with Burnt Offerings and its ilk for a slow burner haunted house chiller. If you have the chance to see it, see it.

moonspinner55 Dennis Weaver and Valerie Harper are well-cast as bickering marrieds with two kids who move into a new house apparently haunted by the ghost of Jennifer, their deceased eldest child--whom only the younger daughter can see or hear. This Aaron Spelling-produced TV movie is pitched way over the top. Between Weaver whining about his reputation at his new job and crusty curmudgeon Ruth Gordon as Harper's mother (who moves in along with the family), it's doubtful any spirit would want to attach itself to this noisy brood. Hectic supernatural thriller picks off its cast unsympathetically, while director Richard Lang shows no talent for handling child actors. Derivative teleplay by Ned Wynn (actor Keenan's son) is full of familiar elements, tastelessly rendered.

Rainey Dawn This one isn't too bad. About the first half of the film felt more like a film that is directed a little more for younger audiences than the last half of the film where it seems a bit more geared for adult audiences. It starts out kinda creepy but cutesy and ends up on the frightful side.My question is: If the older daughter can come back as a ghost for revenge then why not the other dead family members? They had very good reasons to come back for revenge too on _______ (I can't give it away can I?!) I'll confess that parts of the beginning of the film had me scrolling through it (fast-forwarding at times) because it was the "family stuff" going on the screen that was a bit boring to watch for me. Maybe it's just my current mood that had me bored with those scenes. BUT I did watch the last half of the film more intently because that's when it became more interesting to me.I for one can sleep easily after this film - but it might give others a terrible scare with that ending.6.5/10

Mindy Kopelke For those who are critical of this movie, I want to REMIND them that this movie was extreme and excellent for its TIME. I'm so happy I found the title and just like so many of you, I saw it as a kid, my eyes bugged out at the under the bed scene and when she wielded the pizza cutter AT HER MOTHER (OMG!) haha! and for months, couldn't get it out of my head, so I clicked "old horror pizza cutter" into my search engine until I found the title!! YAY! It cracks me up on how many of us were kids when we saw it and how most of us probably didn't sleep right for a few nights- too funny!I would LOVE to see a remake in today's special effects!! The plot was excellent, effects..well it was the 80's and the best thing we ever had was E.T. and pac man. Other stuff that made its impression on me, was the mini-series V (sadly it looks too fake now to be pulled in) that series with that family who traveled thru out the galaxy- have to still look that title up, oh and there's others. The Twilight Zone and Outer limits were always good for freaking me out. Good stuff!