''Let's Scare Jessica to Death'' (1971)

By Crusader1307

 The much overlooked and under appreciated ‘’Let’s Scare Jessica To Death’’ was a quasi-independent 1971 Horror Film (eventually picked up by Paramount Studios). Seen by some as one of the scariest Horror Films made, the eerie and unusual tale was filmed in color and featured no famous Actors or Actresses. The film developed a major Cult following and was a staple in American Drive-In Movie’s and small Theaters for years. The Plot deals with Jessica, a woman who was institutionalized for having a severe mental breakdown. Her Husband and close friend decide that a change from The City to the Countryside is just the trick. The group take residence in a creepy old House near a Lake, outside of a small village, populated by only ‘’old men’’. Each of these very stand offish lads wears some sort of bandage on their body, except the Town’s antique Dealer.


After moving in, the group finds a beautiful young vagrant named Emily. A strange girl, she is the atypical ‘’Hippie’’. Realizing She is trespassing, She volunteers to leave. But Jessica and Her form a bond – and Jessica allows Her to stay (as maybe a future girlfriend for Her and Her Husband’s friend – Woody). The 4 of them seem to get along perfectly – despite the obvious ‘’strangeness’’ of Emily. Raiding their new home (built at the turn of the Century) for antiques to sell – they find an odd piece. A silver framed picture of the previous tenants. Mom, Dad and their daughter – Abigail (who looks very much as Emily does). Taking their treasures to The antique dealer in Town, He tells them the story of the original owners of the house. In the 1880s, the Owners daughter Abigail was supposed to have married (a man She did not love). Going swimming in the nearby Lake, She drowned and Her body was never found. A curious story, He buys everything – including the picture.


Later at the House, it seems Emily and Woody are hitting it off. In the morning, Jessica and Emily go swimming in (of course) The Lake. ‘’Something’’ grabs Jessica by the leg and pulls Her down – almost drowning Her. Of Course, their was nothing there, so everyone starts thinking Jessie may be relapsing again. After a series of other strange occurrences, Jessica’s husband becomes convinced his Wife is ‘’losing it’’ again. Claiming to have found the antique dealers body at the bottom of a ravine (only to met Him later ‘’alive’’ with similar bandages to the other Men in Town – Jessica starts to doubt Her sanity as well. After several other weird happenings, Emily seduces Jessica’s Husband (who is found by Jessica later in their bed, with ‘’bandages’’) – our ‘’Hippy’’ cons Jessie to go swimming again. BIG MISTAKE. Coming up for air, Jessica finds Emily is gone…..only to appear as (you got it) Abigail (complete with corpse white skin and 19th Century wedding dress. Surrounded by Her ‘’slaves’’ (the Men with the bandages…remember?), we learn that Emily/Abigail is a Vampire. After so many ‘’bites’’ Her victims become Her willing slaves.


Jessica swims out to a free floating boat in the middle of the Lake. Climbing inside, a pair of pale white corpse hand reach up from the water, intent on grabbing Jessica. Grabbing a Gaff Hook, Jessie repeatedly beats Abigail to ‘’death’’. In ‘’reality’’ Jessica beat Her Husband to death (who was perhaps trying to save Her). Abigail and Her Slaves watch from the shore….glaring. Only perhaps the whole movie was actually Jessica having a severe mental split again…..your not quite sure at this point. Originally hard to find on most mediums, ‘’Let’s Scare Jessica To Death’’ can now be found on DVD easily. If you can find it, watch it. It will make you ‘’jump’’ at points. Altogether a fun time from 1971.