There Was a Little Girl AKA Madhouse - 1981

STREET TRASH · 12-25-2002, 06:27 AM

This was a rather cool, relatively unknown slasher flick. It was made by an Italian crew and shot in Georgia with an all-American cast (no horrendously cheap dubbing here!). A woman, who teaches for the deaf and dumb, anxiously awaits her birthday but when strange things start to happen (like her favorite student getting mauled by a dog), she is, naturally, a bit on edge. When she receives news that her deformed; highly deranged twin sister has just broken out of the nearby mental hospital, well, it doesn't exactly calm her nerves. Vicious dog attacks; some scares; a few twists; and an ending which seems a bit too reminiscent of HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME - although both were released in '81, so it could all just be coincidence. I would highly recommend it to serious slasher aficionados. Not the greatest thing and a bit rough around the edges - I liked it nonetheless.

Also- Anyone know if the US. Media Home Entertainment tape is cut in any way? Although there was some pretty graphic bloodshed - it seemed that there could've, or should've been more (or is it just a case of wishful thinking?)

Has ANYONE else seen the flick, by the way?

12-25-2002, 09:24 AM

Haven't seen it but it sounds pretty good. Gotta look for this one.

Hellbilly · 12-25-2002, 11:25 AM

I did watch the Media tape many many years ago, once.
I think I wasn't too fond of this flick, can't really remember though.

12-25-2002, 12:21 PM

I saw it awhile ago, I thought it was pretty good but a little slow. I can be sort of "where's the body count?" sometimes I admit.

speanroc · 12-25-2002, 04:38 PM

what title does the media tape dislay , i know this one in the u.k.

was known as "madhouse" and was one of the offical video nasties.

STREET TRASH · 12-26-2002, 03:01 AM

speanroc - both the box and on-screen video title are "Madhouse."

onebyone - yeah, at times it was pretty slow (aren't most of these 80s slashers?) but all was forgiven with it's grim atmosphere, cool plot twists and bloody dog attacks. The music score by Riz "Cannibal Holocaust" Ortolani was another fine point I neglected to mention.

Hellbilly · 05-25-2009, 02:18 PM

Gave this a spin today and liked it much better than I did back in the day. It is very slow, and reminded me of Happy Birthday To Me. Not necessarily a bad thing though. Worth checking out.
And yeah, Dark Sky's 2.35:1 transfer is very good.

snowbeast323 · 05-25-2009, 02:29 PM

I've wanted to see this one for a long time, but I can't find it anywhere as I believe it was banned here in the U.K........

05-25-2009, 03:58 PM

Ahhhh! Seven year old threads!! Not familiar with this one, will have to keep an eyeball turning for it. thanks for resurrecting this thread Hellbilly, would never gave it a passing thought.

Katatonia · 05-26-2009, 12:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snowbeast323

I've wanted to see this one for a long time, but I can't find it anywhere as I believe it was banned here in the U.K........

Maybe on its original release, but it did get an "unrated" UK DVD release many years ago. I have it and it's up for sale/trade, but the audio on the disc sucks.

vampyr789 · 05-26-2009, 02:23 AM

wow i have never heard of this movie before...i want to see it now

Mutilated Prey · 05-26-2009, 04:29 AM

I was pretty surprised Dark Sky did such a nice job with this DVD release. I thought if it were ever pressed to DVD, it would be a crappy VHS transfer. Gives us hope for obscure horror to get top shelf releases.

05-26-2009, 01:38 PM

Nice, to see a good copy getting this, gonna have to track one down for sure now!!!

05-26-2009, 03:37 PM

I need to buy this and add it to my video-nasty collection.

snowbeast323 · 05-28-2009, 01:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Katatonia

Maybe on its original release, but it did get an "unrated" UK DVD release many years ago. I have it and it's up for sale/trade, but the audio on the disc sucks.

Ah, after reading your post I went to look for it, and I found it, thanks alot

12-25-2002, 06:27 AM	#1
STREET TRASH Synthicide Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: hobo central - playing "toss the penis" Posts: 561	There Was a Little Girl AKA Madhouse - 1981 This was a rather cool, relatively unknown slasher flick. It was made by an Italian crew and shot in Georgia with an all-American cast (no horrendously cheap dubbing here!). A woman, who teaches for the deaf and dumb, anxiously awaits her birthday but when strange things start to happen (like her favorite student getting mauled by a dog), she is, naturally, a bit on edge. When she receives news that her deformed; highly deranged twin sister has just broken out of the nearby mental hospital, well, it doesn't exactly calm her nerves. Vicious dog attacks; some scares; a few twists; and an ending which seems a bit too reminiscent of HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME - although both were released in '81, so it could all just be coincidence. I would highly recommend it to serious slasher aficionados. Not the greatest thing and a bit rough around the edges - I liked it nonetheless. Also- Anyone know if the US. Media Home Entertainment tape is cut in any way? Although there was some pretty graphic bloodshed - it seemed that there could've, or should've been more (or is it just a case of wishful thinking?) Has ANYONE else seen the flick, by the way?

12-25-2002, 11:25 AM	#3
Hellbilly Water-squirting greatness Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Franconia Posts: 13,677	I did watch the Media tape many many years ago, once. I think I wasn't too fond of this flick, can't really remember though. __________________ "Common sense turns me on"

05-25-2009, 02:18 PM	#7
Hellbilly Water-squirting greatness Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Franconia Posts: 13,677	Gave this a spin today and liked it much better than I did back in the day. It is very slow, and reminded me of Happy Birthday To Me. Not necessarily a bad thing though. Worth checking out. And yeah, Dark Sky's 2.35:1 transfer is very good. __________________ "Common sense turns me on"

05-25-2009, 02:29 PM	#8
snowbeast323 Maniac Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Rhythm Nation 1814 Posts: 596	I've wanted to see this one for a long time, but I can't find it anywhere as I believe it was banned here in the U.K........ __________________ Don't be afraid, I'm gonna hurt you real good, baby.. Close your eyes, not your mind.....let me into your soul.... La Toya Jackson fan and proud!

05-26-2009, 02:23 AM	#11
vampyr789 9, 10. Never Sleep Again. Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 1,632	wow i have never heard of this movie before...i want to see it now __________________ "A lot of movies are about life, mine are like a slice of cake." ~ Alfred Hitchcock New Friday the 13th Boxset Petition

12-25-2002, 09:24 AM	#2
betterdan Guest Posts: n/a	Haven't seen it but it sounds pretty good. Gotta look for this one.

12-25-2002, 12:21 PM	#4
onebyone Guest Posts: n/a	I saw it awhile ago, I thought it was pretty good but a little slow. I can be sort of "where's the body count?" sometimes I admit.

12-25-2002, 04:38 PM	#5
speanroc I WANNA BAN Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: AMERICA Posts: 2,537	what title does the media tape dislay , i know this one in the u.k. was known as "madhouse" and was one of the offical video nasties.

12-26-2002, 03:01 AM	#6
STREET TRASH Synthicide Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: hobo central - playing "toss the penis" Posts: 561	speanroc - both the box and on-screen video title are "Madhouse." onebyone - yeah, at times it was pretty slow (aren't most of these 80s slashers?) but all was forgiven with it's grim atmosphere, cool plot twists and bloody dog attacks. The music score by Riz "Cannibal Holocaust" Ortolani was another fine point I neglected to mention.

05-25-2009, 03:58 PM	#9
CasEjonz Guest Posts: n/a	Ahhhh! Seven year old threads!! Not familiar with this one, will have to keep an eyeball turning for it. thanks for resurrecting this thread Hellbilly, would never gave it a passing thought.

05-26-2009, 04:29 AM	#12
Mutilated Prey Soul Stealer Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Texarkana Posts: 5,157	I was pretty surprised Dark Sky did such a nice job with this DVD release. I thought if it were ever pressed to DVD, it would be a crappy VHS transfer. Gives us hope for obscure horror to get top shelf releases. __________________

05-26-2009, 01:38 PM	#13
CasEjonz Guest Posts: n/a	Nice, to see a good copy getting this, gonna have to track one down for sure now!!! Last edited by CasEjonz; 05-26-2009 at 01:41 PM.

05-26-2009, 03:37 PM	#14
Rockmjd Guest Posts: n/a	I need to buy this and add it to my video-nasty collection.

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