Abby
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- Release Date: December 25, 1974
- Directed by: William Girdler
- Written by: G. Cornell Layne
- Runtime: 1 hour 29 minutes
Here's a fun one! I can't state enough just how much I love the genre of cash-in films. Everyone knows big movies that stand the test of time and are considered classics, but I've always loved finding the various rip-offs, cash-ins, or even unofficial sequels that directors made to try to get some of that success for themselves with only a fraction of the budget. Abby is an interesting case for two reasons. 1. It was directed by William Girdler, who would later go on to direct the fantastic Jaws rip-off Grizzly. 2. This movie was affected by a lawsuit from Warner Bros., who accused the filmmakers of copyright violation for being too similar to The Exorcist. As a result, the movie was pulled from circulation and had its 35mm prints destroyed. The only way you're able to find it today are DVD releases that are sourced from a poorly-preserved 16mm print.
The movie focuses on Abby Williams, a wholesome, church-going woman who becomes possessed by a Nigerian sex god. Once she starts to exhibit physical fits, vomiting, and a demonic voice, the bishop archeologist who unleashed the spirit has to be the one to exorcise her. If it isn't incredibly obvious already, this movie is a blatant rip-off of The Exorcist, but with an all-Black cast. You may be tempted to write this off as just "Blaxploitation Exorcist", but I'm begging you to please give this movie a shot. A lot of the appeal of this movie for me is the performances of the cast members. Carol Speed is very likeable as Abby. She starts off sweet and good-natured, but as soon as the deity takes hold of her, she instantly flips into a violent, vomit-spewing, murderous fiend. Just by looking at the expressions on her face and her body language, you can see that she was having a blast in this role. William Marshall, famous for playing Blacula, plays the part of the exorcist here. He's not phoning it in, either. He delivers the same quality of performance that would be called for in an actual Exorcist film. There's a lot of conviction and care in this part because he is the one who is responsible for poor Abby's suffering. You really feel for him and want him to be able to take this thing down.
The similarities with The Exorcist don't end with just the possession, cursing, vomiting, and exorcism. There are also flashes of the demon's face at points, as well as a scene of Abby being tested in a hospital. Looking at it now, I can see why Warner Bros. thought they were being ripped off. Even with all that being said, Abby is so well-crafted. Along with the top-notch performances, the movie plays around with comparing ancient African religion to this modern, Black Christian community. Using standard Christian exorcism techniques isn't enough to fight back, and the characters have to go back to a sort of ancient African tradition to be effective against the spirit. It's a really neat take on the story that really helps the movie stand out amongst all of the other Exorcist rip-offs that were released around the same time.
I honestly think that what happened to Abby is a crime. This movie is way, way better than its reputation would make you think. I really hope that a 35mm print is discovered one day, and that this movie can get the proper restoration that it deserves.