The Attic (1980): Cast & Plot
The Attic is a 1980 horror film directed by Gary Graver and George Edwards, starring Carrie Snodgress as Louise Elmore, Ron Luce and Ray Milland. It runs 1 hour 41 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 41m (101 min)
- Directors
- Gary Graver and George Edwards
- Genre
- Horror
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- Attic Associates
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Attic About?
The premise of The Attic without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
A librarian caring for her wheelchair‑bound, domineering father after being abandoned at the altar lives in oppressive routine. She daydreams about his death and finds the only joy in her pet monkey. When the monkey disappears, long‑repressed family secrets emerge, unleashing a shocking and terrifying truth.
The Attic Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- attempted suicide
- spin off
- suicidal
- suicidal woman
- wheelchair user
- crying
- crying woman
- crying female
- f rated
- female protagonist
- home movie
- watching a home movie
+38 more Show fewer
- projection
- loneliness
- lonely woman
- bare chested male
- younger version of character
- flashback
- paraplegic
- paraplegic man
- old man
- plush toy
- plush monkey
- collection
- plush toy collection
- plush toy collector
- plush monkey collection
- plush monkey collector
- framed photograph
- wrist slitting
- blood
- toy collection
- librarian
- librarian as protagonist
- wrist bandage
- hand bandage
- old woman
- flash
- alcoholic
- female alcoholic
- alcoholism
- overhearing a conversation
- suicide attempt
- toy collector
- bechdel test passed
- coworker coworker relationship
- colleague colleague relationship
- head librarian
- strong female character
- camera shot of feet
The Attic Cast & Characters
Carrie Snodgress leads the cast as Louise Elmore, with Ron Luce as Robert Orin Farnsworth and Ray Milland as Wendell. Directed by Gary Graver and George Edwards; 19 actors are credited in all.
- Co-director Gary Graver
- Co-director George Edwards
- Carrie Snodgress as Louise Elmore
- Ron Luce as Robert Orin Farnsworth
-
Ray Milland as Wendell -
Patrick Brennan as David Perkins
Also Starring in The Attic
· 15 more- Ruth Cox Emily
- Rosemary Murphy Mrs. Perkins
- Marjorie Eaton Mrs. Fowler
- Fern Barry Mrs. Mooney
- Mark Andrews Marty
- Frances Bay Librarian
- Zale Kessler Ben
- Eric Parkinson Sailor (uncredited)
- Dan Campbell Theatre Patron (uncredited)
- Dick Welsbacher Mr. Farley
- Michael LeRoy Rhodes Sailor
- Joyce Cavarozzi Secretary
- Phil Speary Mr. Lester
- Terry Troutt Donald
- Mason Armin James Gorilla
More from Gary Graver and George Edwards
More films directed by Gary Graver and George Edwards: Angel in Training, Veronica 2030, Black Widow Escort and Masseuse 3.
The Attic Plot Summary
What happens in The Attic from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Louise Elmore Carrie Snodgress is a depressed, alcoholic spinster who works as the head librarian in Wichita, Kansas. Since her fiancé, Robert, disappeared the day before their wedding nineteen years ago, Louise has devoted herself to caring for her infirm, abusive father, Wendell Ray Milland, who is confined to a wheelchair. After a nervous breakdown and a fire started inside the library, Louise resigns and begins training her younger incoming replacement, Emily Perkins Ruth Cox. Following the fire, Louise attempts suicide by slashing her wrists, but survives. Louise and Emily quickly become friends, and Emily shows genuine empathy toward Louise. At home, Louise harbors fantasies of revenge against her father, sometimes even imagining murder.
Full summary
The whole story of The Attic, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know The Attic?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Who portrayed Louise Elmore in the film?
The Attic Also Known As
4 alternative titles, including “Η Σοφίτα του Τρόμου” and “13 Stufen zum Terror”.
- Also known as
-
- Η Σοφίτα του Τρόμου
- 13 Stufen zum Terror
- El Desván
- 杀人玩偶
Seen The Attic?
Movies Like The Attic
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including The Attic, The Attic Expeditions and The Attic Door.
The Attic FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of The Attic, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Attic?
The Attic runs 1 hour 41 minutes (101 minutes).
When was The Attic released?
The Attic was released on October 1, 1980.
Who directed The Attic?
The Attic was directed by Gary Graver and George Edwards.
More films by Gary Graver Who is in the cast of The Attic?
The Attic stars Carrie Snodgress as Louise Elmore, Ron Luce as Robert Orin Farnsworth and Ray Milland as Wendell, among 19 credited actors.
Does The Attic have a post-credit scene?
No. The Attic has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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