The Strange Possession of Mrs. Oliver

The Strange Possession of Mrs. Oliver is a 1977 American made-for-television horror film directed by Gordon Hessler and starring Karen Black, George Hamilton, Robert F. Lyons, Lucille Benson, and Jean Allison. The teleplay was written by Richard Matheson.[1] The film first aired on NBC in 1977.[1][2]

The Strange Possession of Mrs. Oliver
Original newspaper advertisement
Written byRichard Matheson
Directed byGordon Hessler
Starring
ComposerMorton Stevens
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
ProducerStanley Shpetner
CinematographyFrank Stanley
Editors
Running time78 minutes[1]
Production companyThe Shpetner Company
Release
Original networkNBC
Original releaseFebruary 28, 1977 (1977-02-28)

Plot

Its plot follows a bored housewife who takes on an alternate persona that starts wreaking havoc on her life. Karen Black plays the title role, a dowdy, downtrodden housewife plagued by recurring nightmares of funerals, black flowers, fires, and a woman called Sandy. Seeking an escape from her stifling lifestyle and dull husband, who only wishes her to have a baby, Black dons a low-cut red blouse, blonde wig, garish makeup, and a new identity. She is also compelled to buy a house in a beach community where it would appear a woman who looks just like her once resided - before her tragic demise.

It turns out that the woman Black pretends to be may actually exist—and may have more than a passing knowledge of the occult.

Critical reception

According to John Stanley, "Director Gordon Hessler builds the mystery with a deft camera, creating ambiguities to intrigue us: Is Black undergoing possession, reincarnation or what? Supernatural mood blends with psychological thrills."[3]

Cast
Black as the titular Mrs. Oliver.

Critical response

Hal Erickson of AllMovie awarded the film four out of five stars, but noted that Hessler's direction "muddles" Matheson's "perfectly coherent script."[4]

References
  1. Young, R. G. (2000). The Encyclopedia of Fantastic Film: Ali Baba to Zombies. New York: Hal Leonard Corporation. p. 602. ISBN 978-1-557-83269-6.
  2. Deal, David (2007). Television Fright Films of the 1970s. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland. p. 169. ISBN 978-0-786-42929-5.
  3. John Stanley. Creature Features Movie Guide Strikes Again. (4th revised ed). Pacifica, CA: Creatures at Large Press, 1994, p. 373
  4. Erickson, Hal. "The Strange Possession of Mrs. Oliver". AllMovie. Archived from the original on August 22, 2019.
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