Horror History: Happy Birthday, Amazing Author Lois Duncan – Master of Teen Terror!
Mike Sprague
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On this day in horror history, Lois Duncan was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1934. Duncan was a writer, novelist, poet, and journalist. But that said, she is best known around these parts for her killer horror, thriller, suspense young-adult novels.
Specifically, I Know What You Did Last Summer.
But on top of penning the novel that Kevin Williamson (Scream) based his (second best) teen slasher on, she also saw several other books come to life on the screen.
Like Scream and A Nightmare on Elm Street director Wes Craven’s 1978 TV movie Summer of Fear (aka Stranger in Our House) with Linda Blair (The Exorcist).
Related: Wes Craven & Lois Duncan’s SUMMER OF FEAR With Linda Blair Hits Blu-ray for the First Time!
Kevin Williamson also (basically) adapted Duncan’s controversial novel Killing Mr. Griffin into the teen horror flick Killing Teaching Mrs. Tingle. The 1999 black comedy was Williamson’s directorial debut. It starred Helen Mirren and Katie Holmes.
On top of those films, Killing Mr. Griffin was (actually) adapted into a 1997 TV movie starring Amy Jo Johnson (Power Rangers) and Mario Lopez (Saved By The Bell).
Plus, Uma Thurman (Kill Bill) and Anna Sophia Robb (The Reaping) starred in the 2018 adaptation of Down a Dark Hall. Not to mention, Gallows Hill became 1998’s I’ve Been Waiting for You with Sarah Chalke (Scrubs) and Catherine Hicks (Child’s Play).
Dennis Hopper (Speed) played the villain in Held for Ransom, the villain 2000 direct-to-video take on Duncan’s novel Ransom. And there was also the 1999 TV movie adaptation of Don’t Look Behind You with Patrick Duffy (Step by Step).
Oh, and Hotel for Dogs with Emma Roberts, Kevin Dillon, and Don Cheadle.
In 1992, Duncan published Who Killed My Daughter?
It detailed the 1989 unsolved murder of Duncan’s teenaged daughter, Kaitlyn. After her daughter’s murder, Duncan distanced herself from the horror genre, shifting her focus to picture books and novels for children. Her last published work, was a sequel to Who Killed My Daughter? called One to the Wolves. It was published in 2013.
Duncan died on June 15, 2016, at the age of 82 in Bradenton, Florida.
What’s your favorite Lois Duncan novel?
Make sure to let us know in the comments below or on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram! You can also hit me up over on Twitter @MikeSpregg325.
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