The Changeling (The Last Drive-In)

Film Year:  1980
Genre:  Horror
Director:  Peter Medak
Starring:  George C. Scott, Melvyn Douglas, and Casper the Not-So-Friendly Ghost

The Movie

No, not the Angelina Jolie flick directed by Clint Eastwood.  This film called The Changeling is supposedly based on actual events accounted by the screenwriter, in which George C. Scott rents a mansion after the death of his family for some brooding time.  It turns out that there is a spirit of a little boy haunting this empty place, and he won't stop banging on the walls until Scott solves his murder-by-drowning-in-a-bathtub.

The Changeling's scare factor is heavily influenced by The Haunting, and the ghost featured is largely present through pounding noises and the random moving object.  The film is often lucky enough to offer a well-placed jolt to help enhance the heebie jeebies, though sometimes it can be a bit heavy with its attempts.  The first haunting noises in the film sound like someone in the hallway just pounding a really large drum just to be annoying.  The film might have been best grabbing the audience in more subtle ways that early on instead of just demanding their attention ASAP.

Other than that, this is a very casually paced movie that is trying to intrigue with a mystery as it unfolds.  The Changeling succeeds largely because of a strong atmosphere of tension backing it up.  The story is fairly engaging as it throws another plot point out just when the pace threatens to slow down a bit too much.  If you love restrained spookfests, The Changeling is worth a watch.

The Drive-In

Following up DEATHGASM with The Changeling on this week's double feature might prove to be a mistake in pacing, as DEATHGASM is so hyperactive and nonstop that the more carefully plotted film following it up can deflate the energy in the room somewhat.  I enjoyed both movies about equally for different reasons, but if The Changeling had came first this week and we started with a tension build, then just utterly letting loose with DEATHGASM would have felt satisfactory and earned.  Instead, The Changeling just kind of feels buried.

Joe Bob seems to admire this movie and the talent that made it (Darcy looks a bit underwhelmed by it, though).  He has a lot of stories to tell about George C. Scott, Melvyn Douglas, and director Peter Medak.  The director he especially gets into the nitty gritty with, as he admires the longevity of his career and his diversity, right down to his later documentaries.  This also leads into a Joe Bob rant about CourtTV turning into TruTV, which isn't to be missed.

Speaking of rants, this episode opens with a glorious Joe Bob venting session about whiskey, which sent me into a non-stop gigglefit.  That paired with his dissection of the supposed "true" story this film is based and why it reeks of bullshit probably make the episode.  Meanwhile, Darcy's viewer mail this week sees a viewer sending Joe Bob "beer soap," making this a definite one to watch beginning to end.  However this might be a stronger one to watch without the previous feature as a lead-in.  The Changeling should have been the foreplay.  DEATHGASM should have been...the obvious.

Joe Bob's Rating

⭐⭐⭐1/2