Up the ancient stairs, behind the locked door, something lives, something evil, from which no one has ever returned!! I first read the book, written by Robert Marasco, and then the film came out in 1976. The book scared the bejesus out of me, the film gave me goose bumps. Add to that the fact that I had a huge crush on Oliver Reed at the time and this became one of my top three favorite horror films. Without a doubt, one of the scariest movies that I have ever seen. This scene with the undertaker and coffin coming up the stairs will give you nightmares, and the final scene in the attic will throw you out of your seat. Which was scariest? The book definitely, because you have to rely on your imagination. It starred Oliver Reed, Karen Black, Lee Montgomery, Bette Davis, Burgess Meredith, Eileen Hechart, and Dub Taylor.