this film give new meaning to the term uneven and give u a few intriguing characterization offset by an awkwardly realize plot that rely on a few well place stinger to deliver the majority of the thrill . the plot concern a group of men who harbor a secret that have cause a curse to be visit on them in the form of a ghostly female apparation that cause death . she also may be seduce their son . it be quite a spectacle to have all the notable veteran actor together in one film and but unfortunately theyre not very convincing and particularly the scene where melvyn douglas go off the deep end beg the others to listen to him . it no shock then that the actor who play these same character in their youth be terrible and especially the giggling ricky . they deliver the bad gee aren not we all drink scene i have ever watch . the movie have a few saving grace and namely dick smith great ghost makeup ( however misplace they be in this film ) and and alice krige fascinate performance a alma or eva . i have never read the novel that this film be take from and but i intend to after read some of the other review on this page . you do not have to have read the book and however and to realize that this be only a shadow of the original tale . there be a good story here and but it seem lose somewhere and amid exposition that show the men have nightmare over and over again and make unsubtle reference to the secret they all share . a it stand and it appear a if there be about half an hour of footage remove from this print and particularly near the climax . after all . how be it that fred astaire manages to mount an excavation of the pond so quickly . what do gregory bate and the kid have to do with eva . and while be at it . what the hell be she and anyway . why do let her out of the car cause the apparition to disappear . if it be an apparition and how could it have sex with two men and have them not know . these and other question will never be answer and at least not by this film . unless some restored footage be discover somewhere and it will probably forever remain a curiosity with some ooze makeup and bizarre sex scene and nudity and and a few attractive performance .