Expert: Mel - 3/9/2011

Question
There was a film shown on tv in 1971. It was black and white and seemed an old movie from US probably made 1930's at a guess going on the clothes. It was set in a house where two children haunted and even now thinking of it I have goose pimples. One scene at the end is preserved in my memory as an image - it was a man and a woman looking up towards the attic window of this big old house from outside in the garden, and the two children were looking back. I remember it very clearly as it scared the hell out of me. I think I saw it again a few years later and wasn't quite as scared but the first time was so bad I had night terrors. I'd be well pleased if you can find me the title.

Answer
Hello Kath,

I'm afraid I've been unable to locate a film title for you, but what you describe is very much like the story "Lost Hearts" by M.R. James. There was a 1973 version made for TV, but it was in colour. Have a look at the following sites. At least it will tell you if it's the same story or not.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lost_Hearts

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNHlDwot6_8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usPANnYU49Y&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4iKO2jvTL4&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iiszYBavfH4&feature=related


An earlier TV adaptation from 1968 was in black & white, but no surviving copies are known to exist.

Hope that's of some help. Cheers.......Mel.