Spooky House

Spooky House is a 2002 American family film directed, co-produced and co-written by William Sachs, and starring Ben Kingsley and Mercedes Ruehl. It was entered into the Chicago International Children's Film Festival, winning two awards, "Best Of Fest" and the "Children's Jury Award". 
== Sypnosis ==
The Great Zamboni is a famous illusionist who works with his wife and assistant, Dawn Starr. During a recording session of one of his shows, something goes wrong during the act, and Dawn Starr disappears.
Eleven and a half years later, Zamboni lives alone, save for his pet jaguar Shadow. He uses his character to scare off visitors and builds a reputation for himself as "the Spooky Man" in the "Spooky House". Also living in this town is a recently orphaned Max, as well as his friends Yuri, Beans, Prescott, and Zoe. These five are trying to enjoy themselves as much as they can before Max is sent to an orphanage after Halloween. The five kids run afoul with three kleptomaniac teens, Mora, Mike the Mouth, and Dumb Dave. These three work for Madame Boss, who is training them to be real thieves. 
The teens steal Zoe's pet goat Princess, stashing her in a graveyard near the Spooky House, forcing the kids to go after her. Zamboni, seeing the children, uses various tricks and traps in his home to scare everyone away. However, Max is not afraid, and becomes intrigued by Zamboni. He begins repeatedly visiting the reluctant illusionist, who begins begrudgingly interacting with him. One day, the teens steal back Princess, leading Max to suggest talking to Zamboni and asking for help. When he doesn't answer, Max peeks through the window to see Shadow with her tail stuck in one of Zamboni's traps then he goes to rescue it.
== Cast ==
Ben Kingsley as The Great Zamboni
Mercedes Ruehl as Boss
Matt Weinberg as Max
Jason Fuchs as Yuri
Ronald Joshua Scott as Beans
Simon R. Baker as Prescott
Chaz Monet as Zoe
== Production ==
William Sachs co-wrote the screenplay together with his wife Margaret Sachs. The film was shot in Vancouver, and was released in 35 American theatres in 2004, becoming the top grossing film during that time in some of them. The Great Zamboni was originally to be played by Christopher Lloyd who signed on in 1998.
== Reception ==
According to Nicole Dreiske, Founder/Executive Director of the Chicago International Children's Film Festival, it was the first time in the festival's 17 year history that the children's jury unanimously picked a winner when Spooky House won.
Category:2000s films
Category:2002 films
Category:American films
Category:English-language films
Category:American independent films
Category:Independent films
Category:Family films
Category:Films
Category:Films about magic
Category:Rated PG