The Evictors (1977)

Those glued to HBO in the very early 80s may recall The Evictors, generally scheduled during late afternoon summer hours (perfect for school holidays, and at a time when the network only operated in the evenings). Veteran actor Vic Morrow somehow showed up for work on this ultimate independent cheapie, as did Jessica Harper, and we assume the budget was thus consumed. Still, much is made from backwoods/rural creepiness, an almost pre-industrial landscape exploited over and over in the 1970s as representative of America's forgotten horrors, a sort of lawless land of murderous hicks and corrupt officials. Interesting, eh, that said films were distributed almost exclusively in the drive-ins of these various locales?

The Evictors tells the haunting history of a ramshackle farmhouse home to some very unpleasant happenings, all exposed by the research of its new newlywed tenants. A pervasive sense of dread is maintained throughout adding heft to the slight storyline. Sadly unavailable on DVD currently.