Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Terror at the Red Wolf Inn (1972)

aka Terror House

Regina receives an envelope with no return address that contains a letter telling her she's won a vacation.  Naive Regina calls the number provided, even though she didn't enter any contest, and is so overcome with giddy excitement that she doesn't question when she is told she'll have to leave immediately to redeem her prize.  Nor does she falter when she is told by the pilot of the private charter plane she'll be taking to an unknown destination that she will have to call her mom later.

When she arrives at the Red Wolf Inn, she meets two other college  girls who won vacations, Inn owners Evelyn and John, and their grandson Baby John, who is college aged but seems a little soft in the head.

The Inn is beautiful, the owners friendly, and Regina thinks John is cute.  Evelyn cooks huge, delicious meals for everyone.  It's uncomfortable to watch the eating scenes as people are gorging like they haven't eaten in days.  It's bizarre.  Their cheeks bulge with food and yet they continue to shovel it in.  Everyone agrees the ribs are the most tender, tasty things they've ever eaten. Yet we know this is going to end badly since there is too much emphasis on the food and Evelyn doesn't want anyone near the walk in meat locker in the kitchen.

Regina, although a complete ditz, is still likable which is surprising since she doesn't think twice about taking this vacation and doesn't pick up on clues that something isn't right at the house.  She doesn't even get creeped out by the very odd incident which occurs on the beach. Baby John beats a shark to death  while repeatedly screaming, "Shark!" like a crazy man, then turns to look at Regina and deadpans, "I think I love you," before he walks off.

The biggest question I have is about their method of operation to procure women.  Wouldn't it be easier to pick up hitchhikers rather than send anonymous letters to college co-eds?  If anyone had been around in the dorm, Regina would have told them she'd won a vacation.  What percentage of letters get a response, and what are they paying their pilot who must be on call to bring women out but never bring anyone back?

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