Nerds That Geek Movie Review: ‘Dementia 13’ (1963)

Written by Scott Edwards

Family is a good thing to have around you, especially when things are tough. Even if people are not blood relatives, it does not make them any less a part of your life, and they are likely good people to lean on. While most of the time when you marry into a family, your in-laws will bring you into the circle with very little asked of you, there are times when they will reject you. When this happens, you can try and focus all of your efforts into getting them to accept you, but sometimes it will never be enough and while you may feel left out, you still have the love of your life to keep you in the fold if that is where you want to be.

Wanting to go out for a late-night row, John Haloran is shocked to see that his wife wants to go along for the ride as well. Talking about their trip back to his old home to pay respects to his dead sister Kathleen, Louise wants nothing to do with it. Getting into a fight and making sure that Louise knows that she will not get a dime when his mother passes away if he is not around, John suffers a heart attack. Needing to think fast about what to do, Louise makes it appear that John has gone away on a business trip and will take his place at the service and find a way to get herself included into Lady Haloran’s will.

Arriving at the Castle Haloran, Louise is greeted with open arms from her brother in law Billy but can tell that the rest of the family is having a hard time with just her being there. With John on a business trip, they welcome his wife into the house and try to treat her with the upmost respect, even when Lady Haloran cannot stand the young gold digger. Kane also arrives at the castle to spend time with her fiancé Richard who cannot seem to keep his mind on her. During the ritual to remember young Kathleen who was taken too soon, the family places flowers on her grave and the overwhelming nature of the event forces the Lady Haloran to faint. Seeing this from a distance, Louise now knows that she has an in to get into the old woman’s will and starts with her own devious plan.

Talking to Lady Haloran and saying that she has seen and heard things around the castle, Louise makes the old woman believe that the spirit of Kathleen is still sticking around. Collecting some of Kathleen’s dolls from her room, Louise takes them down to the pond where the young girl downed years before and sets them up to appear like a ghost is trying to communicate. Getting out of the water to find someone was watching her, Louise goes missing and Lady Haloran is beside herself. Thinking that something might have happened to the family member, Doctor Caleb steps into action to find out what is really going on around the house. Not knowing what he will find, Caleb opens a door to the family history that is more demented than even he knows.

I will admit that this movie has captured my heart, mainly because it took a turn away from the main storyline and made it all about family. With it starting out being about getting money, it turned out to be a love story, at least when it comes to love for the deceased. As you get to know the characters, you are left to question who has taken a stance against those who are sneaking around the grounds at night. With an ax, some dolls, an unexplained shrine, a family being torn apart, a mother losing her mind and family members dropping like flies, this is just a great look at a demented mind that will leave you wondering what you would do if you were responsible for a family member's death. Stay Scared.

---