Guillermo del Toro’s DON’T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK: New Movie Poster, 1973 Ad

By Norm Schrager at June 3, 2011 | 6:26 am | Print

The day after filmmaker Guillermo del Toro turned nine years old, a movie called Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark aired on American television. To this day, the artistic horror director and aficionado believes that original chiller is the most frightening TV production ever made. So, del Toro, clearly influenced by the girl-in-peril plot (Pan’s Labyrinth, anyone?) decided to match (or better) the 1973 telefilm with a remake, coming to US theaters August 26. The good folks at FilmDistrict have forwarded the latest movie poster from the new Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark, co-written and co-produced by del Toro, directed by long-time comics illustrator (everything from Batman to Bart Simpson) and first-time feature filmmaker, Troy Nixey. If you’re not aware of the plot for Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark, this spooky one-sheet makes it pretty clear. (click on the poster for the biggie)

In the 2011 version, Katie Holmes and Guy Pearce star as a couple restoring a 19th-century New England mansion, one that has some creepy consequences for Pearce’s daughter (played by 11-year-old Bailee Madison). She hears scary things coming from the basement. And, no, it’s not Tom Cruise visiting the set…

Madison is reprising the role played by Kim Darby in the original film — that makes two consecutive years for a Kim Darby film to be remade and released. Last year: True Grit, in which she played the starring role which Hailee Steinfeld nailed in the Coen Brothers’ version, earning an Oscar nomination.

With thanks to Bad Ronald’s Pop Cereal, here’s the 1973 TV Guide ad promoting the original airing.

Featured Horror Movie Posters Movie Previews don't be afraid of the dark, guillermo del toro, guy pearce, katie holmes, kim darby, troy nixey, tv guide