HILLBILLYS IN A HAUNTED HOUSE

Cinemavixion Review

Jean Yarbrough's "Hillbillys in a Haunted House" from 1967 is a peculiar blend of country music, spy capers, and B-movie horror tropes. The film follows Woody Wetherby (Ferlin Husky), Boots Malone (Joi Lansing), and their manager Jeepers (Don Bowman) as they seek shelter in a dilapidated mansion during a storm. What begins as a typical "haunted house" scenario, complete with spooky effects and a man in a gorilla suit, quickly escalates into a plot involving international spies attempting to steal a rocket fuel formula. The country trio inadvertently stumbles into this espionage plot, all while breaking into song. While the film boasts a cast including genre veterans like Basil Rathbone, John Carradine, and Lon Chaney Jr. in supporting roles, it is primarily driven by the musical performances of its country music stars. The plot, as described by both sources, is intentionally campy, aiming for amusement through its outlandish premise and the juxtaposition of musical numbers with spy thriller elements. Despite its low IMDb rating of 2.8, the film offers a unique, if somewhat bizarre, viewing experience for those interested in cult cinema or the intersection of music and genre filmmaking from the 1960s. Its straightforward narrative and lighthearted tone, even amidst the spy intrigue, make it a curious artifact of its time.