The Possession of Joel Delaney *** (1972, Shirley MacLaine, Perry King, David Elliott) – Classic Movie Review 10,246

Director Waris Hussein’s 1971 The Possession of Joel Delaney stars Shirley MacLaine in a hokey but entertaining British-financed chiller, set in New York City, where she plays divorced mother-of-two socialite Norah Benson, pursuing her younger brother Joel Delaney (Perry King), who is possessed by an evil voodoo spirit fond of decapitating people.

This weird, atmospheric suspense horror thriller, based on a novel by Ramona Stewart, builds up a high tally of scary scenes, and MacLaine and King play it to the hilt.

It is one of two not very popular films MacLaine made for Lord Lew Grade’s ITC company in return for making a TV show, Shirley’s World (1971-1972). It follows Desperate Characters (1971).

Also in the cast are Lisa Kohane, David Elliott, Michael Hordern, Miriam Colon, Robert Burr, Lovelady Powell, Edmundo Rivera Álvarez, Teodorina Bello, Peter Turgeon, Ernesto Gonzalez, Aukie Herger, Earle Hyman, and Barbara Trentham.

King regards his role here as the best part he ever had. MacLaine befriended the young actor, who credited her for helping him with his performance.

The Possession of Joel Delaney is directed by Waris Hussein, runs 106 minutes, is made by Haworth Productions, Incorporated Television Company (ITC) and Paramount Pictures, is released by Paramount Pictures (1972) (US) and Scotia-Barber (1972) (UK), is written by Matt Robinson and Irene Kamp (as Grimes Grice), is shot by Arthur J Ornitz (Eastmancolor), is produced by Martin Poll and George Justin (in charge of production), is scored by Joe Raposo and is designed by Peter Murton.

The Lion in Winter and The Dain Curse producer Martin Poll died on April 14, 2012, age 89.

© Derek Winnert 2020 Classic Movie Review 10,246

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