A kindly widow turns out to be as nutty as the goodies she makes for her visiting children at Christmas time, and is unmasked by two run-aways she "takes in". Shelley Winters is all over the place here as she doesn't hold anything back in her desire to provide both laughs and chills. The problem is in the script because there is never any indication that she was anything more than a grieving mother who saw in Mark Lester's little sister a replacement for the daughter she lost in a freak accident. This changes the mood of the film once her huge mansion becomes Macadamia Manor.
In spite of character inconsistencies, the film remains engrossing, featuring cameo appearances by some of England's greatest character performers. An interesting historical note for film history is to see Lester ("Oliver!") sharing scenes with the little boy who played Tiny Tim in the musical version of "Scrooge". A truly gruesomely frightening ending may have kids with nightmares, so share it with them cautiously.
In spite of character inconsistencies, the film remains engrossing, featuring cameo appearances by some of England's greatest character performers. An interesting historical note for film history is to see Lester ("Oliver!") sharing scenes with the little boy who played Tiny Tim in the musical version of "Scrooge". A truly gruesomely frightening ending may have kids with nightmares, so share it with them cautiously.