Good question. My goal is always to push the language until it's understood more intuitively. And I think good poetry works in the same way. If a story is simple and short, I'll burn the hell out of the language. My story 'Eleanor' for instance. But if work is longer and more complicated I'll use simpler, less-showy language. That would apply to 'The Invention of Sound.'
Hah! I sat next to a family with several small kids, watching 'Gone Girl' in a theater. When Neil Patrick Harris exploded into a blood fountain, those kids were traumatized.
I just took my kids to see Venom at the local drive-in this week. I hadn't been to a drive-in since 1981, when I was ten years old and saw a double feature, Scanners followed by Escape from New York. The week prior, my babysitter and her boyfriend took me to a midnight showing of Rocky Horror. I also had my first beer that night, though it was heavily cut with Coke (the drink, not the powder). That year I also saw An American Werewolf... The Road Warrior, Excalibur, Stripes, Quest for Fire, Halloween 2, Time bandits, Heavy Metal, History of the World, Reds, The Howling, Outland, Taps and The Great Muppet Caper ( I saw a lot of movies as a kid, and many of them I didn't really understand, though they ignited my brain in ways movies can't once the innocence of youth is lost) I definitely think 1981 was the year my creativity began to form.
I doubt Venom had the same effect on my kids, maybe I should fire up History of the World or Taps for them this weekend.
Eric, you mention some life-changing movies for me in your comments—- damn, we had some good ones growing up. I’ll never forget being too young to understand “the Aunt Jemima treatment” in “Stripes,” then, understanding it later!! Hahaha! That wasn’t about PANCAKES!
We also just had some of the cast from “The Warriors” at Steel City Con in Monroeville, PA. Meatloaf was there, too his line and Robert England’s were insane.
That scene in Stripes was so enticing to me and I didn't understand why. I didn't like pancakes so maybe that confused me even more lol. I had a short weekend fling with a woman from my first creative writing class in college, around '92 I think. I was 21 and she was mid to late 30's. She had been married to one of the guys cast as one of the Baseball Furies in The Warriors. They had gotten married in Hawaii, both drunk and high off their asses and she didn't remember anything about him, which was disappointing.
"Hey, warriors come out and play...!" As teens we were warned that 'The Warriors' was causing riots and turf wars everywhere it was shown. Theaters refused to book it. Now it looks like weird cheap fodder for early MTV.
Costumer: "Okay, I'm going to need a lot of Bedazzlers, okay?"
Yep, Stripes. I was definitely obsessed with that moment as well. Though back then it was all memory, no rewind or pause. When I rented it at the video store years later, there was a weird feeling of a boyhood confusion crush meeting teenage hormones.
My household, before my folks got divorced, was one of the first with movie channels on cable. “Rock and Roll High School” with Soles as Riff was a six year-old me’s crush. Even without nudity, the towel drop was electrifying. Witnessing Stripes later in life was unlocking the next level.
Ha! I remember R ‘n’ R High being terrifying on many levels to my young self. Joey lurking and towering throughout was ingrained as fearful to some degree but also hypnotic. As luck would have it, I eventually saw them in concert during my high school years (closing a show that featured another childhood fascination, Deborah Harry (thanks to an appearance on the Muppet Show where her mantra of “gonna getcha getcha getcha” also haunted yer entranced my wee little mind).
You were great on Rogan and I love the newsletter. Your words inspire, provoke, and confound me, and I enjoy every minute of it. Also reminds me I need to catch up on some of your books. (I am ashamed to admit, but I am just one person so what does it matter?) Thank you for sharing your brain damaged brilliance with the world.
Thanks. Damn. He's just too fun to talk to. Midway we had to stop and take a piss break. I went, and then he came in to take a leak, and I thought: "Joe Rogan is peeing right next to me!" A total celebrity freak-out moment.
There’s a serial show, in its 3rd season now, on Netflix called, “The Movies That Made Us” with an episode about “Aliens” that is pretty helpful to offer up some production, behind the scene info. The narrator is awful, but mildly entertaining. If you watch the beginning on through of Season 3, there’s some pretty good industry info about how movies in the 70’s were being made through some rag tag efforts of people that love to make movies and went on to make ALOT more classics in syfy/horror. Much of the success rested in the hands of the people getting the movies to the movie houses—- super hard hustling right there and lots of favors being called in! The rise of John Carpenter on the series was informative, along with Wes Craven. This was why I got into SFX make-up for 28 years now. I love it. Have make-up kit— will travel & learn!
The best part about where I live is I’m between Cleveland and Pittsburgh. Tom Saving’s school for SFX make up is it Pittsburgh along with the areas where many now famous and cult classic films were made. My area and surrounding is full of still working Drive-in’s which, during the pandemic, were the only active places showing films where people could safely gather and feel some sense of normality. My area also has the highest rate of serial killers, haunted houses, and paranormal research. Wee!
I’m glad you came back to talk about this more! “Alien” was a movie that stuck with me throughout life due to the SFX, a strong woman lead, mother’s protecting their race to survive. “Prometheus” left a similar feeling after watching— and hard to go back to. All of these movies lead me to Pittsburgh Filmmakers where I wanted to go into cinematography and film editing. We started out with Super 8— I could edit film the rest of my life!! I loved adjusting frames and messing with the timing of how long a person could pay attention or catch something with just a few amount of frames. When “Fight Club” came out, the industry discussion about cigarette burns and sneaking pieces of adult films into child one’s— I laughed out loud in the theater because I knew about this! I thought, “who’s been talking from school?”
It’s amazing how fast shots change now in film making. If you count— it’s mere seconds. There’s no time to waste or you will miss a lot of the story builders. The film, “Halloween” is a favorite because it builds tension so well and if you notice, there’s very little blood. That film is one I go back to because I admire the editing and how they blew most of the money on the camera they used for it. “Alien” is by far a favorite as well—- along with James Bond films featuring Sean Connery. I love how those are shot and edited!
SAME!! It was a midnight movie when I watched it on a little B&W tv, which was the only TV we had after my folks divorced when I was 12—- Remember, back when the TV channel would actually go off the air.
There was one I watched recently that actually freaked me out a bit—- “The Deep House.” Has a video game appeal— little Blair Witch— but, not bad at building the tension.
Fascinating stuff. Just to pile on some trivia, a Hollywood friend tells me that many of the 70s classics -- he cites 'Looking for Mr. Goodbar' -- are unavailable because those rebel filmmakers never got full-and-lasting clearance on the music. The films are dead because it's not financially feasible to re-score them, and it's illegal to show them as originally scored.
I’m so glad you mentioned Let’s Scare Jessica to Death. I still remember the final scene and haven’t seen it since the first time (on TV but I was younger than 10, I bet).
Is safe to assume that your preference is ‘Alien’ > ‘Aliens’, Chuck?
Also, do you intend to finish ‘The House that Jack Built’ now that you know a particular scene was achieved via special effects and the talented acting of one particular Chick?
Despite my full and eternal respect for the immortal Bill Paxton, I favor the original 'Alien.' Hell, ever since 'The Birds' I'd been waiting to see Veronica Cartwright buy the farm. And did Harry Dean Stanton EVER make a bad film?
Harry Dean Stanton is a national treasure. I’m a major David Lynch fan—- Harry was in “Fire Walk With Me.” He’s eternal. My love for “Twin Peaks” is the same— my upper left arm is a giant Twin Peaks inspired tattoo. It’s massive— but I also have bingo arms. Ha!
Also— I can’t tell you have many times I’ve watched “Twister.” Lol.
The funniest Harry Dean Stanton story I’ve heard, and I know I can’t do it justice, is on the commentary track for Repo Man. They wanted to give him a prop rubber baseball bat for a scene and he was NOT having it! As a professional actor he believed he should have been trusted with a real one. That entire commentary track ranks up with Fight Club and Deliverance as one of my favorites.
Good. My fourteen year-old kid made it all the way through with me and I wouldn’t want to have to tell them that the author of the book they’re reading couldn’t hack it (or just hide that fact, really). That duckling scene is harsh, though. Actually, it’s kind of sweet that movie magic can have that kind of effect on you. If you ever truly come across as a genuine d-bag to me I’ll have that moment of weakness to fall back on.
'The Exorcist' is interesting because the murder comes before the martyrdom. And the witnessing character -- either the priest or the detective -- walks off in a peaceful resignation. "Business as usual" as they joke about films. NOTE: By referring to films within a film, they create the illusion that 'The Exorcist' is reality. Also, by the mother being an actor, and a film (a comedy) being shot within the film.
Like the grubbiness of 'Alien' and how it establishes authority so that the incredible will be accepted... all the "real" film stuff used as business within 'The Exorcist' makes all the demonic magic seem real.
That would be the perfect problem to have. Doubt that you recall it, but I told a story of you going out of your way to be very kind to me here on Substack.
Given the world at the moment and the way it's going, I do wonder what the 'fallback' is for people as (to my eyes) there doesn't seem to be anything clear. Perhaps a general move towards adults consuming more things aimed at children?
Re: #2… The first time I was ever offered crack was at a drive in movie snack bar in exchange for a burger. I was pretty hungry, so I passed.
Also, I used to volunteer for concessions at Kauffman stadium for a fund raiser (this was back before they remodeled it — it was a concrete shit hole at the time) and the sketchy dude in charge showed us how to ‘defrost’ hot dogs in the dishwasher. I can also remember the used syringes lying on the bathroom floor. But maybe it was just for insulin.
I should have asked this on the other post, but I didn’t think of it until now. Is it possible (or problematic) to have more than one gun?
I always thought Rocky was kinda the exceptional movie of the 70s. I see Rocky Balboa basically free-rolling. He didn't expect to have a shot at winning big but, he was presented with one. That movie is as optimistic as winning a giveway ticket to Pokerstars sunday million and then final table-ing it.. a win win even if you just finish 9th. Thats how I see it.
Clowns are notoriously flaky and, while no one likes a quitter, I suspect you and Chelsea have wayyy more important party details to take care of. Or I can make a few calls (*throws cell phone in the trash*)
I was in 9th grade when my dad took me to see Alien in its first run. That was the scariest film I had ever seen! I had to look under my bed that night before I could go to sleep, just in case, you never know. Before the sequel came out, I thought the Alien could morph bigger or smaller, but the sequel made it into a growth stages. I wonder if I was not correct until the sequel came out, because Alien had the shot of the Alien looking into Jonesy the cat's carrier, soon after, there is lots of suspense when Ripley grabs the cat carrier and takes Jonesy onto the lifeboat pod. Was I really the only one who thought the Alien probably got inside of Jonesy and now Ripley is taking the Alien onto the lifeboat pod! Doh!
Currently watching Saturday Night Fever and was struck by a very early line line of dialogue by Manero’s boss in response to the line “Fuck the future.” “No, Tony. You can’t fuck the future. The future fucks you.” Also, at work today I made the niece of one of the guys who played a cop in Fight Club laugh. Another employee is planning a trip to Italy and is learning the language. I told the “cop’s” niece “Everyone knows a little Italian. His name is Al Pacino.”
I'm a huge horror fan and don't scare easily*--but as a kid I remember being absolutely terrified just by the trailer to Let's Scare Jessica to Death, and I'm stymied by how many people _don't_ remember The Sentinel, which was also one of the few movies that scared me. I'm so glad you mentioned them both.
*The other shows that scared me were The Exorcist (the "subliminal messaging" face was actually the worst part to me) and any episode of this particular black-and-white Japanese TV show about ghosts (yokai), but mostly the one about the long-necked ghost woman (rokurokubi).
I'm a little late to the party on this one, but do you remember "The Legacy"? I saw it as a kid in the '80s, and the pool scene still gives me nightmares.
Damn, you're right. I was sure I could find a stinker in her filmography, and admittedly there are a few I haven't seen, but I got nothing. She's a legend.
Good question. My goal is always to push the language until it's understood more intuitively. And I think good poetry works in the same way. If a story is simple and short, I'll burn the hell out of the language. My story 'Eleanor' for instance. But if work is longer and more complicated I'll use simpler, less-showy language. That would apply to 'The Invention of Sound.'
Oh yeah. That's the most stream-of-consciousness thing I've ever tried.
Hah! I sat next to a family with several small kids, watching 'Gone Girl' in a theater. When Neil Patrick Harris exploded into a blood fountain, those kids were traumatized.
I just took my kids to see Venom at the local drive-in this week. I hadn't been to a drive-in since 1981, when I was ten years old and saw a double feature, Scanners followed by Escape from New York. The week prior, my babysitter and her boyfriend took me to a midnight showing of Rocky Horror. I also had my first beer that night, though it was heavily cut with Coke (the drink, not the powder). That year I also saw An American Werewolf... The Road Warrior, Excalibur, Stripes, Quest for Fire, Halloween 2, Time bandits, Heavy Metal, History of the World, Reds, The Howling, Outland, Taps and The Great Muppet Caper ( I saw a lot of movies as a kid, and many of them I didn't really understand, though they ignited my brain in ways movies can't once the innocence of youth is lost) I definitely think 1981 was the year my creativity began to form.
I doubt Venom had the same effect on my kids, maybe I should fire up History of the World or Taps for them this weekend.
Eric, you mention some life-changing movies for me in your comments—- damn, we had some good ones growing up. I’ll never forget being too young to understand “the Aunt Jemima treatment” in “Stripes,” then, understanding it later!! Hahaha! That wasn’t about PANCAKES!
We also just had some of the cast from “The Warriors” at Steel City Con in Monroeville, PA. Meatloaf was there, too his line and Robert England’s were insane.
That scene in Stripes was so enticing to me and I didn't understand why. I didn't like pancakes so maybe that confused me even more lol. I had a short weekend fling with a woman from my first creative writing class in college, around '92 I think. I was 21 and she was mid to late 30's. She had been married to one of the guys cast as one of the Baseball Furies in The Warriors. They had gotten married in Hawaii, both drunk and high off their asses and she didn't remember anything about him, which was disappointing.
Oooooh, man!! Now that’s a story! 😮
"Hey, warriors come out and play...!" As teens we were warned that 'The Warriors' was causing riots and turf wars everywhere it was shown. Theaters refused to book it. Now it looks like weird cheap fodder for early MTV.
Costumer: "Okay, I'm going to need a lot of Bedazzlers, okay?"
It's funny how threatening those gangs appeared to a young kid. Now I'd be more afraid of the cast of Startlight Express.
Didn't 'Taps' have the topless scene with P.J. Soles? I had friends obsessed with that moment.
No! It was 'Stripes'! Duh.
Yep, Stripes. I was definitely obsessed with that moment as well. Though back then it was all memory, no rewind or pause. When I rented it at the video store years later, there was a weird feeling of a boyhood confusion crush meeting teenage hormones.
My household, before my folks got divorced, was one of the first with movie channels on cable. “Rock and Roll High School” with Soles as Riff was a six year-old me’s crush. Even without nudity, the towel drop was electrifying. Witnessing Stripes later in life was unlocking the next level.
Rock and Roll High and Class of 1984 made me terrified to go to high school
Ha! I remember R ‘n’ R High being terrifying on many levels to my young self. Joey lurking and towering throughout was ingrained as fearful to some degree but also hypnotic. As luck would have it, I eventually saw them in concert during my high school years (closing a show that featured another childhood fascination, Deborah Harry (thanks to an appearance on the Muppet Show where her mantra of “gonna getcha getcha getcha” also haunted yer entranced my wee little mind).
She also had a topless scene in Halloween, if my fevered early teen memories are any indication.
You were great on Rogan and I love the newsletter. Your words inspire, provoke, and confound me, and I enjoy every minute of it. Also reminds me I need to catch up on some of your books. (I am ashamed to admit, but I am just one person so what does it matter?) Thank you for sharing your brain damaged brilliance with the world.
Thanks. Damn. He's just too fun to talk to. Midway we had to stop and take a piss break. I went, and then he came in to take a leak, and I thought: "Joe Rogan is peeing right next to me!" A total celebrity freak-out moment.
Hahaha. Had that happen to me with Peter Mayhew. I couldn't stop thinking, "Chewbacca is taking a piss next to me!"
There’s a serial show, in its 3rd season now, on Netflix called, “The Movies That Made Us” with an episode about “Aliens” that is pretty helpful to offer up some production, behind the scene info. The narrator is awful, but mildly entertaining. If you watch the beginning on through of Season 3, there’s some pretty good industry info about how movies in the 70’s were being made through some rag tag efforts of people that love to make movies and went on to make ALOT more classics in syfy/horror. Much of the success rested in the hands of the people getting the movies to the movie houses—- super hard hustling right there and lots of favors being called in! The rise of John Carpenter on the series was informative, along with Wes Craven. This was why I got into SFX make-up for 28 years now. I love it. Have make-up kit— will travel & learn!
The best part about where I live is I’m between Cleveland and Pittsburgh. Tom Saving’s school for SFX make up is it Pittsburgh along with the areas where many now famous and cult classic films were made. My area and surrounding is full of still working Drive-in’s which, during the pandemic, were the only active places showing films where people could safely gather and feel some sense of normality. My area also has the highest rate of serial killers, haunted houses, and paranormal research. Wee!
I’m glad you came back to talk about this more! “Alien” was a movie that stuck with me throughout life due to the SFX, a strong woman lead, mother’s protecting their race to survive. “Prometheus” left a similar feeling after watching— and hard to go back to. All of these movies lead me to Pittsburgh Filmmakers where I wanted to go into cinematography and film editing. We started out with Super 8— I could edit film the rest of my life!! I loved adjusting frames and messing with the timing of how long a person could pay attention or catch something with just a few amount of frames. When “Fight Club” came out, the industry discussion about cigarette burns and sneaking pieces of adult films into child one’s— I laughed out loud in the theater because I knew about this! I thought, “who’s been talking from school?”
It’s amazing how fast shots change now in film making. If you count— it’s mere seconds. There’s no time to waste or you will miss a lot of the story builders. The film, “Halloween” is a favorite because it builds tension so well and if you notice, there’s very little blood. That film is one I go back to because I admire the editing and how they blew most of the money on the camera they used for it. “Alien” is by far a favorite as well—- along with James Bond films featuring Sean Connery. I love how those are shot and edited!
I forgot to mention, “The Fog” featuring the gorgeous and talented, Adrienne Barbeau! Soooo gooooood!!!! Talk about tension!
I do miss actually "scary" scary movies, instead of today's shock and gore. The Fog scared the crap out of me
SAME!! It was a midnight movie when I watched it on a little B&W tv, which was the only TV we had after my folks divorced when I was 12—- Remember, back when the TV channel would actually go off the air.
There was one I watched recently that actually freaked me out a bit—- “The Deep House.” Has a video game appeal— little Blair Witch— but, not bad at building the tension.
ooh I'm going to look for that one!
Let me know what you think! I don’t know anyone else that has seen it. They film underwater!!!!!
Oh that alone would have creeped me out
Fascinating stuff. Just to pile on some trivia, a Hollywood friend tells me that many of the 70s classics -- he cites 'Looking for Mr. Goodbar' -- are unavailable because those rebel filmmakers never got full-and-lasting clearance on the music. The films are dead because it's not financially feasible to re-score them, and it's illegal to show them as originally scored.
I’m so glad you mentioned Let’s Scare Jessica to Death. I still remember the final scene and haven’t seen it since the first time (on TV but I was younger than 10, I bet).
The rat ….. shudder.
Hah! I remember when every hip person had tombstone rubbings on their living room walls! Now you mention that and younger people think you're crazy.
I think we did them on a field trip. I'm sure my mom was like "What kind of occult school have I sent my kids to? I'm paying for this?"
Is safe to assume that your preference is ‘Alien’ > ‘Aliens’, Chuck?
Also, do you intend to finish ‘The House that Jack Built’ now that you know a particular scene was achieved via special effects and the talented acting of one particular Chick?
Despite my full and eternal respect for the immortal Bill Paxton, I favor the original 'Alien.' Hell, ever since 'The Birds' I'd been waiting to see Veronica Cartwright buy the farm. And did Harry Dean Stanton EVER make a bad film?
Harry Dean Stanton is a national treasure. I’m a major David Lynch fan—- Harry was in “Fire Walk With Me.” He’s eternal. My love for “Twin Peaks” is the same— my upper left arm is a giant Twin Peaks inspired tattoo. It’s massive— but I also have bingo arms. Ha!
Also— I can’t tell you have many times I’ve watched “Twister.” Lol.
The funniest Harry Dean Stanton story I’ve heard, and I know I can’t do it justice, is on the commentary track for Repo Man. They wanted to give him a prop rubber baseball bat for a scene and he was NOT having it! As a professional actor he believed he should have been trusted with a real one. That entire commentary track ranks up with Fight Club and Deliverance as one of my favorites.
A scene I quote regularly— his delivery is so effing on point— https://youtu.be/V-XTJBrU52Y
https://www.instagram.com/p/CVpEEahASbN/?utm_medium=copy_link
And yes, I'll revisit 'The House That Jack Built' next week.
Good. My fourteen year-old kid made it all the way through with me and I wouldn’t want to have to tell them that the author of the book they’re reading couldn’t hack it (or just hide that fact, really). That duckling scene is harsh, though. Actually, it’s kind of sweet that movie magic can have that kind of effect on you. If you ever truly come across as a genuine d-bag to me I’ll have that moment of weakness to fall back on.
Thanks for this. I'm going to change the ending I am currently rewriting based around it.
And... then they will make the film, and a test audience of 13-year-olds will force them to give it an upbeat ending. Just you wait.
'The Exorcist' is interesting because the murder comes before the martyrdom. And the witnessing character -- either the priest or the detective -- walks off in a peaceful resignation. "Business as usual" as they joke about films. NOTE: By referring to films within a film, they create the illusion that 'The Exorcist' is reality. Also, by the mother being an actor, and a film (a comedy) being shot within the film.
Like the grubbiness of 'Alien' and how it establishes authority so that the incredible will be accepted... all the "real" film stuff used as business within 'The Exorcist' makes all the demonic magic seem real.
That would be the perfect problem to have. Doubt that you recall it, but I told a story of you going out of your way to be very kind to me here on Substack.
Hmmm... that must've been the hired Chuck. The real one is a douche.
Only after he has signed countless books for rabid dorks and a drunk girl accidentally rubs her breasts on him.
Given the world at the moment and the way it's going, I do wonder what the 'fallback' is for people as (to my eyes) there doesn't seem to be anything clear. Perhaps a general move towards adults consuming more things aimed at children?
Is that, possibly, why there's a Disney Store everywhere I look...?
Re: #2… The first time I was ever offered crack was at a drive in movie snack bar in exchange for a burger. I was pretty hungry, so I passed.
Also, I used to volunteer for concessions at Kauffman stadium for a fund raiser (this was back before they remodeled it — it was a concrete shit hole at the time) and the sketchy dude in charge showed us how to ‘defrost’ hot dogs in the dishwasher. I can also remember the used syringes lying on the bathroom floor. But maybe it was just for insulin.
I should have asked this on the other post, but I didn’t think of it until now. Is it possible (or problematic) to have more than one gun?
I always thought Rocky was kinda the exceptional movie of the 70s. I see Rocky Balboa basically free-rolling. He didn't expect to have a shot at winning big but, he was presented with one. That movie is as optimistic as winning a giveway ticket to Pokerstars sunday million and then final table-ing it.. a win win even if you just finish 9th. Thats how I see it.
It was the turtle that did it for me. Or did Adrian have the turtle? Who had the turtle?
Cuff and Link. Rocky introduced them to Adrian. He had bought them from her before. They're still alive I think, maybe 46 yrs old.
For a time, my boss was the guy who wrote the tagline "In Space No One Can Hear You Scream."
Clearly I'm moving up in the world. ;)
I don't want to overexcite you... but Chelsea says our scary clown has cancelled. She's scrambling to hire a new one.
Clowns are notoriously flaky and, while no one likes a quitter, I suspect you and Chelsea have wayyy more important party details to take care of. Or I can make a few calls (*throws cell phone in the trash*)
I was in 9th grade when my dad took me to see Alien in its first run. That was the scariest film I had ever seen! I had to look under my bed that night before I could go to sleep, just in case, you never know. Before the sequel came out, I thought the Alien could morph bigger or smaller, but the sequel made it into a growth stages. I wonder if I was not correct until the sequel came out, because Alien had the shot of the Alien looking into Jonesy the cat's carrier, soon after, there is lots of suspense when Ripley grabs the cat carrier and takes Jonesy onto the lifeboat pod. Was I really the only one who thought the Alien probably got inside of Jonesy and now Ripley is taking the Alien onto the lifeboat pod! Doh!
Currently watching Saturday Night Fever and was struck by a very early line line of dialogue by Manero’s boss in response to the line “Fuck the future.” “No, Tony. You can’t fuck the future. The future fucks you.” Also, at work today I made the niece of one of the guys who played a cop in Fight Club laugh. Another employee is planning a trip to Italy and is learning the language. I told the “cop’s” niece “Everyone knows a little Italian. His name is Al Pacino.”
I'm a huge horror fan and don't scare easily*--but as a kid I remember being absolutely terrified just by the trailer to Let's Scare Jessica to Death, and I'm stymied by how many people _don't_ remember The Sentinel, which was also one of the few movies that scared me. I'm so glad you mentioned them both.
*The other shows that scared me were The Exorcist (the "subliminal messaging" face was actually the worst part to me) and any episode of this particular black-and-white Japanese TV show about ghosts (yokai), but mostly the one about the long-necked ghost woman (rokurokubi).
I'm a little late to the party on this one, but do you remember "The Legacy"? I saw it as a kid in the '80s, and the pool scene still gives me nightmares.
1978. Did Katherine Ross ever make a bad movie?
Damn, you're right. I was sure I could find a stinker in her filmography, and admittedly there are a few I haven't seen, but I got nothing. She's a legend.