May 13, 2008 If I'm correct, the 1973 shocker "Don't Look in the Basement" is actually in the public domain, so it's ripe for a remake. One is now being made.

Here's the official word from the producers:

It is official – Fright directors Alan Rowe Kelly (THE BLOOD SHED) and Anthony G. Sumner (W.O.R.M.) have begun preproduction on a retelling of the 1973 drive-in shocker DON’T LOOK IN THE BASEMENT!

The opportunity arose and surprisingly no on had yet attempted a re-adaptation. We thought it appropriate to remake this low-budget gem as it was intended, by keeping it a low budget feature. This film is a favorite among many horror fans who dig trashy genre cinema and we want our version to remain as true to the film’s spirit as possible. Of course the word ‘remake’ stirs many a groan by fans. But we love this film so much that we can’t help but be true to its roots in Grindhouse schlock cinema. We’ll simply do our best to make the creepiest film possible!

Kelly and Sumner have worked together on various projects. Kelly appeared in Sumner’s award winning W.O.R.M., and he co-produced Sumner’s current project of Douglas Smith’s BY HER HAND, SHE DRAWS YOU DOWN, which will be part of the GALLERY OF FEAR anthology DVD also featuring Kelly’s latest piece A FAR CRY FROM HOME, and DOWN THE DRAIN. The DVD will be ready by early 2009.

DON’T LOOK IN THE BASEMENT begins shooting on location this October 2008 in Southern Indiana and will be scheduled for release in 2009. The cast includes Zoë Daelman Chlanda, Terry M. West, Debbie DiVerde, Alan Rowe Kelly, Marv Blauvelt, Andrew Roth, Jerry Murdock and Jeff Dylan Graham. Other lead roles are still being cast.

The screenplay is written by Alan Rowe Kelly, the film produced and co-directed by Anthony G. Sumner and Alan Rowe, music composed by the always brilliant Tom Burns, and Special Make Up FX by Benzy. As an extra, the DVD will also include a re-mastered version of S.F. Brownrigg’s 1973 classic and interviews with some of the film's original cast members. Official website coming soon!

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