Death at Love House

**Death at Love House** (also released as *The Shrine of Lorna Love*) is a 1976 American television horror film directed by E.W. Swackhamer. It premiered on ABC on September 3, 1976, and stars Robert Wagner, Kate Jackson, Sylvia Sidney, and Marianna Hill.

The story follows Joel and Donna Gregory, a young couple touring Hollywood who stop at the estate of Lorna Love, a notorious actress who died in 1935. There, they meet housekeeper Clara Josephs and agent Oscar Payne. The couple is writing a book about Lorna, spurred by the discovery that Joel’s father was her lover. While staying at the mansion, strange events unfold. Donna sees a woman in 1930s clothing at a garden shrine where Lorna’s embalmed body is displayed. That night, film director Conan Carroll visits; he directed Lorna’s first hit, *Gone of Desire*, and claims she ruined his life. He says Joel Sr. was the only person who left her, after telling her she had no soul. As he departs, a creature attacks him; he falls into a fountain and dies of a heart attack. Donna finds a witchcraft blade and a torn photo. Joel learns of a locked room—once Joel Sr. and Lorna’s bedroom.

The couple visits aged actress Denise Christian, a former rival. Lorna tried to blackball her at every studio. Denise met Joel Sr. at the studio where he worked in the art department; Lorna stole him to spite her. Denise reveals Lorna contacted a healer for eternal beauty and youth, and could not sleep after Joel Sr. smashed all mirrors and left. She lived in the healer’s spiritual world, called “Father Eternal Fire.”

Back at the mansion, Joel finds a book of witch spells and becomes obsessed, fantasizing about Lorna. The same figure who attacked Conan tries to kill Donna via carbon monoxide in a locked bathroom; Joel and Clara save her. Donna wants to leave but stays to support Joel, who says he is close to uncovering Lorna’s secrets. They meet Marcella Geffenhart, Lorna’s self-proclaimed best friend, who mentions “Father Eternal Fire” but refuses to discuss the blade. Donna suspects Marcella is the woman she saw at the shrine. Joel forbids her from meeting Marcella again, saying Lorna deserves secrets.

That night, Joel breaks into Lorna’s bedroom and reads about his father’s affair. Donna again sees the mysterious woman. The next morning, Oscar tells Donna the healer’s rituals involved fire and that Joel is in danger.