Watcher in the Woods, The (1980, Bette Davis, Lynn-Holly Johnson)

Lynn-Holly Johnson stars as a teen whose American family rents an English country house where another young girl-who vanished mysteriously decades ago-makes her presence felt. Well-made family entertainment, this film will frighten very young children but please their parents with its beautiful scenery alone. As the creepy owner of the house, Bette Davis brings vigor and authority to her role,” said Vincent Canby of the New York Times.”

When The Watcher in the Woods premiered in New York in April 1980, its ending was not included. The special effects weren’t ready yet, so the film simply stopped, which may have accounted for its poor commercial showing.

production details
UK, US | 83 minutes | 1980

Director: John Hough
Producer: Ron Miller
Director of Photography: Alan Hume
Editor: Geoffrey Foot
Composer: Stanley Myers
Script: Brian Clemens, Rosemary Anne Sisson, Harry Spalding
Production Designer: Elliot Scott
Art Director: Alan Cassie

cast
Bette Davis as Mrs. Aylwood
Lynn-Holly Johnson as Jan Curtis
Kyle Richards as Ellie Curtis
Carroll Baker as Helen Curtis
David McCallum as Paul Curtis
Benedict Taylor as Mike Fleming
Frances Cuka as Mary Fleming
Richard Pasco as Tom Colley
Ian Bannen as John Keller
Katharine Levy as Karen Aylwood
Eleanor Summerfield as Mrs. Thayer
Georgina Hale as Young Mrs. Aylwood
Dominic Guard as Young John Keller