Haunts of the Very Rich (1972)

By Wuchak

**_Tropical retreat of fools_** Seven wealthy people are flown to a remote-but-swanky tourist center, evidently somewhere in the tropics of Latin America. As the cultured host (Moses Gunn) entertains them and they get to know each other, they have to deal with the results of a storm while reflecting on the curiosities of the situation. The seven are played by Lloyd Bridges, Cloris Leachman, Edward Asner, Anne Francis, Tony Bill, Donna Mills and Robert Reed. The premise of "Haunts of the Very Rich" (1972) hails back to “Outward Bound” (1930), which was remade as “Between Two Worlds” (1944). It has similarities to Fantasy Island, which wouldn’t debut for five more years, mixed with The Twilight Zone. The resort manor locations are fabulous, reminiscent of “Frogs,” released six months earlier. The cast is of note and the drama is decent, but it’s a decidedly low-key experience where Tony Bill & Donna Mills are relocated to peripheral status. While this is a television production, it’s technically well done. The movie runs 1 hour, 15 minutes, and was shot in Miami, Florida, particularly Villa Vizcaya Museum & Gardens in Biscayne Bay (the resort in the movie). Stock footage was obviously used for the brief scene with a mountain in the background. GRADE: C+/B- (5.5/10)