ABBY (1974) – Episode 238 – Decades of Horror 1970s

“Are you trying to say that Abby has… flipped out?” Uh, pretty much. Join your faithful Grue Crew – Bill Mulligan, Chad Hunt, Gregory Crosby, and Jeff Mohr – as they cover the oft-mentioned, discussed at last, William Girdler’s Abby (1974), featuring William Marshall, Carol Speed, Terry Carter, Juanita Moore, and Austin Stoker.

Decades of Horror 1970s
Episode 238 – Abby (1974)

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Synopsis: A marriage counselor becomes possessed by a demon of sexuality when her father-in-law, an archaeologist and an exorcist, accidentally frees it while in Africa.

• Directed by: William Girdler
• Writing Credits: Gordon Cornell Layne (screenplay) (as G. Cornell Layne); (story) William Girdler & Gordon Cornell Layne (as G. Cornell Layne)
• Cinematographer: William L. Asman
• Editors: Bub Asman (credited as Henry Asman), Corky Ehlers
• Sound Department: John Asman (sound); Jack Davies (looping editor)
• Selected Cast:
  • William Marshall as Bishop Garnet Williams
  • Terry Carter as Rev. Emmett Williams
  • Austin Stoker as Det. Cass Potter
  • Carol Speed as Abby Williams
  • Juanita Moore as Miranda ‘Momma’ Potter
  • Charles Kissinger as Dr. Hennings
  • Elliott Moffitt as Russell Lang
  • Nathan Cook as Tafa Hassan
  • Nancy Lee Owen as Mrs. Wiggins
  • William P. Bradford as Dr. Rogers (as Billy Bradford)
  • Joann Holcomb as Lois
  • Claude Fulkerson as Benny
  • Bill Wilson as Dan
  • Charles Broaddus as Joe (as Chuck Broadus)
  • Don Henderson as Flip
  • John Miller as Hal
  • Julia Jones as Louella
  • Joan Ray as Sue
  • George Robinson as George
  • Mary Minor as Lolly
  • Michael Cowden as Lantern Bearer
  • Bobby Griffin as Ben
  • Casey Brown as Corky
  • Robin James as Robin
  • Brice Amos as Simon
  • Rhodi Hill as Rhodi
  • Felice Kinchelow as Student (credited as Felece Kinchelow)
  • Bob Holt as The Demon (voice)

After years of wanting to discuss Abby (1974) but holding off because of the poor visual quality, the ‘70s Grue-Crew, with Gregory Crosby along for the ride, finally pulled the trigger. The picture was very grainy, but they forged ahead nonetheless. Abby has always been a bit of a Holy Grail for the ‘70s crew with the Black Saint’s love of director William Girdler in conflict with the poor quality of the available version. Make no mistake. It’s not a good movie. Is it worth a watch? Yes! William Marshall’s on-screen gravitas combined with Carol Speed’s performance as the possessed title character make it so. Girdler’s improvement from Asylum for Satan (1972) and Three on a Meathook (1972) on the way to Grizzly (1976), Day of the Animals (1977), and The Manitou (1978) is evident. So check it out and check us out!

At the time of this writing, Abby (1974) is available to stream from Plex.

Gruesome Magazine’s Decades of Horror 1970s is part of the Decades of Horror two-week rotation with The Classic Era and the 1980s. In two weeks, the next 70s episode, chosen by Gregory Crosby, will be Don Coscarelli’s Phantasm (1979), complete with Angus Scrimm and freaky flying metal balls. It was first covered in 70s episode 29, published over nine years ago, and hosted by a completely different crew. We can’t wait!

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