Review of Don't Go to Sleep (1982) by Tracey S — 06 Sep 2011

Very eerie but enjoyable early 80's made for tv horror about a family who move into a new place to try and forget their dead daughter.

Turns out she wants her sister to know that she's still around in spirit, so she likes to hide out under her bed and freak her right out by saying her name in the middle of the night.

I've heard really good things about this and it lived up to the hype somewhat, I kinda felt like the movie was a little too long for the subject matter.

I think it would have played better in a twilight zone type anthology show personally, but those are small sour grapes...the film in general is very good for what it is.

Valerie Harper and Dennis Weaver do a great job as the parents, Ruth Gordon was an amazing actress and does the stubborn old bitchy grandmother perfectly.

Robin Ignico who played Mary did a great job looking terrified and Oliver Robins as Kevin (The little boy in Poltergeist) did a good job as the snot nose brat brother.

The dead sister Jennifer played by Kristin Cummings was beautiful and creepy all at the same time, which is hard to do especially for a child actor.

The family unit in this is very believable for a made for tv horror and I strongly suggest you watch this if you can find it, because I heard its out of print. This is a pretty good middle of the week watch and you could do alot worse as far as tv horror movies go.

This also makes a good family horror movie because its not overly scary, no foul language and isn't really graphic...but is just creepy enough to be really enjoyable.