Wer hat Tante Ruth angezündet (1972)

Wer hat Tante Ruth angezündet: Directed by Curtis Harrington. With Shelley Winters, Mark Lester, Chloe Franks, Ralph Richardson. A demented widow lures unsuspecting children into her mansion in a bizarre “Hansel and Gretel” twist.

“Who Slew Auntie Roo is still one of the most cleverly constructed films of the 70s.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eAn interesting and fascinating take on the Hansel and Gretel story.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003enMrs. Forrest (Shelley Winters) is a rich widow who had been married to a successful British Magician. He died leaving her his fortune and creepy mansion called u0026quot;Forrest Grangeu0026quot; Their little 7 year old daughter Katherine died after falling off a banister that she was sliding down.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe film opens with Auntie Roo as she is called by the orphans singing a lullabye to what appears to be a child in a cradle. Auntie Roo quietly steals out after we think the child is asleep. The camera slowly pans to the cradle only to reveal a rotted corpse of a child in a nightgown. This sets the scenario for the film.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eAuntie Roo is obviously an eccentric. She has constant seances in an attempt to communicate with her dead daughter. Of course her psychic is in cahoots with the servants who stage the seances.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eIt is now time for Aunt Roou0026#39;s annual Christmas Party where 10 lucky children from the local orphanage are selected to attend an overnight holiday party at Forrest Grange. Christopher and Katy Coombs, a brother and sister are not selected, but stow away in the back of the car. Auntie Roo sees a resemblance in Katy to her dead daughter Katherine…and of course the movie takes off from here. The children see Auntie Roo as the witch in Hansel and Gretel…and Forrest Grange is the Gingerbread House. I wonu0026#39;t give away any more of the plot, but the psychological games between the children and Auntie Roo as their terror mounts makes for an extremely entertaining film.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eAside from Shelley Winteru0026#39;s bravura performance, there are also strong contributions from Sir Ralph Richardson as her psychic; Rosemary Crutchley as the director of the orphanage, Mark Lester (of Oliver fame) as Christopher. The art and set direction are marvelous along with excellent camera work and lighting.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThis film makes for a different and offbeat Christmas movie or just a plain u0026quot;funu0026quot; movie to watch anytime!”