MovieChat Forums > The Amityville Horror (1979) Discussion > Back in 1980.

Back in 1980.

posted 8 years ago by dazzaler44
4 replies | jump to latest

Who remembers the media storm over THE AMITYVILLE HORROR? It was massive.
Being 10 years old at the time, I do recall how kids in the school playground were talking about 'the haunted house in America with the scary windows." My teacher claims "it's all B.S!".
The book was a bestseller (all my mate's parents had a copy in their homes.
Local Australian media aired stories of the case.
The film had everyone flocking to theaters to see what the fuss about. We seen it at the old Goulburn drive.in and it scared my family members (that opening scene is one of the best opening scenes in the retro horror films!)
I think the house was also featured on THAT'S INCREDIBLE as well.

Ahhh great days!

[–] FlyingSaucersAreReal 8 years ago

I was only three at the time the book came out, when the media attention was at its peak.

But it would pop up in the news from time to time in the years afterward. (Still does, though not as often). I do remember people talking about it and seeing some of the stories in the media. Some of them are on You Tube now, like an old segment of That's Incredible about the house.

-Sitting on a cornflake waiting for the van to come

[–] Ultrashiver 8 years ago

I was only 6 at the time and living overseas but I do remember watching this for the first time in 1983 and it scared the piss out of me. My younger sister and I got to sleep with Mom that night while my Dad was out on business.

[–] fjk1138-731-161881 8 years ago

My first experience was seeing brief trailers on TV back in the day, but the real fun was at our friends house. This was 1980 and they were the first people I knew who had HBO. Back then HBO would have maybe 5 movies or so in constant rotation, with ads in between each for the other movies.

Well we were waiting for the first Chris Reeve Superman to show up and they kept showing Amityville previews. It scared us so bad we would literally run out of the room Everytime it came on (we were 4 to 6 yrs old between us). They kept showing Brolin screaming about the house and Jodie's eyes in the window. Those images never have left my mind.

Ahhh memories....

[–] ShogunofYonkers (77566) 7 years ago

Yeah were about the same age
It scared the hell out of
It didnt help that my neighbors had that same roofline and attic windows !