MovieChat Forums > Dark Night of the Scarecrow (1981) Discussion > The Dark Secret of Harvest Home

The Dark Secret of Harvest Home

posted 12 years ago by DreTam2000
4 replies | jump to latest

There are lots of old horror movies made for television back in the day. They were truly atmospheric and creepy. Even if they don't exactly hold up today, they should still be studied by rising filmmakers to remind and teach them how it used to be done.

While Dark Night of the Scarecrow may not be the best film, it still does some things right that modern horror does not. It is another made-for-television cult classic like Don't Go to Sleep, Don't Be Afraid of the Dark, A Cold Night's Death, and The Dark Secret of Harvest Home. All of these films were made by filmmakers who understood that less is more (as well as the importance of atmospheric quality in a scary movie).

Of all the aforementioned films, though, there seems to be decent DVD releases for them, or remakes of them, or decent copies floating around of them, except for one: The Dark Secret of Harvest Home. It is most difficult to find. Does anyone happen to have a copy of the film that they would like to share a file of? The one on Youtube is barely watchable (mostly due to the sound quality, or lack thereof).

Anyhow... which of the oldschool made-for-TV horror films do you find most creepy?

I'm not a control freak, I just like things my way

[–] ecmblume 12 years ago

I just received my Blu Ray copy of Dark Night of the Scarecrow today. I bought it from importcds.com. $11.94 with shipping. I watched it this evening and it has help up very well. The only time I have ever viewed it, beside tonight, was when it first aired on CBS in 1981. I was 8 then and it terrified me.

Funny that you mention The Dark Secret of Harvest Home. I recently began searching for it on DVD. I have found a couple of sites that sell DVD R copies with made up covers, but I am leery of the quality. I will wait for a proper release I think.

I have an affinity for hard to find horror titles, and some of these well done made for TV films fit the bill perfectly. I am still waiting for a proper release of the 1979 Salem's Lot mini series.

What stirs up my interest in Harvest Home, though, is the word of mouth buzz on it. I have never seen it. Also, in fact, I am from NE Ohio where some of the movie was filmed. My best friend's mother and brother were extras in it. Just background extras. It would be nice to have a good copy to own and to purchase for them.

Try this site if you want a copy. I did not make a purchase, so I cannot recommend based on personal experience.
http://www.ioffer.com/i/the-dark-secret-of-harvest-home-1978-dvd-uncut-version-475109058

Good luck.

They're in the yard not too far from the car

[–] DreTam2000 12 years ago

Thanks for the input.

I could have sworn I saw an official DVD for Salem's Lot someplace. Check out Amazon and see. I get a huge rush for Horror this time of year every year.

I too love the older, more obscure pieces that are underrated gems. The British seemed to make the best ones. And the Japanese too. I have a huge list of some stuff I would recommend. I could suggest some awesome stuff you like. Feel free to let me know if so.

I'm not a control freak, I just like things my way

[–] ecmblume 12 years ago

An official Salem's Lot DVD does exist. I am just holding out hope that the "braintrust" at Warner Bros will put out a fresh package. Remastered with plenty of extras and hopefully on Blu Ray.

I am in the process of compiling a list of horror/sci fi/thriller/cult titles that I want for my collection. I collect DVD and Blu Ray. I own around 800 titles now, but I am going to concentrate on just those titles for a while. I do not consider burned movies as part of my collection. I shop for bargains. The internet is a good place for finding rare gems, but gets pricey. A great source is also Moviestop. You can find mint condition used titles for $5 and under. They seemingly do not place a premium on hard to find titles, so I scoop up as many as my budget allows. Another good source is actually Walmart. Especially around Halloween. They have those 4-movies-in-a-set for usually under $10 that I like.

I broke down the wish list by category. I have American Horror, British Horror, Italian Horror (mostly Giallo), Japanese Horror, German Horror, French Horror, Sci-Fi, Thrillers, Made for TV Horror, Cult, Lynch, and Cronenberg.

It may seem like a lot, and it is. But I am using discretion so as not to purchase just anything. I do have standards!

There is also another World Horror category from the rest of the globe.

Feel free to contact me if you are looking for hard to find titles or just want to shoot the sh!t about movies. Just send me a PM.

They're in the yard not too far from the car

[–] YankeeDood 12 years ago

I'm still looking for a DVD or Blu Ray release of "Midnight Offerings" and "This House Possessed". Saw both of them on network TV when they premiered in the 80's and loved them since.

ghost stories..WEIRD stories..
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