Haunts of the Very Rich

Haunts of the Very Rich

Year: 1972

Runtime: 75 mins

Language: English

Director: Paul Wendkos

HorrorTV MovieMystery

An eclectic group of affluent but deeply troubled individuals escapes to a secluded island resort, hoping for leisure. A sudden, life‑threatening incident forces each of them to confront their hidden anxieties, sparking an intense introspection about the meaning of their privileged lives and the purpose of their existence.

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Timeline – Haunts of the Very Rich (1972)

Trace every key event in Haunts of the Very Rich (1972) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Arrival at Portals of Eden

Wealthy tourists arrive at the mysterious tropical resort Portals of Eden, welcomed and pampered by host Seacrist. They settle into paradise, enjoying luxury and indulgence in a setting that feels almost dreamlike. Beneath the surface, an uneasy tension begins to simmer as the group bonds and competes in a sunlit fantasy.

Day 1 Portals of Eden
2

Storm isolates the guests

A powerful storm lashes the resort after their first night, severing all contact with the outside world. The staff disappear and supplies dwindle, leaving the guests to improvise survival in a place that once felt like paradise. The sense of security evaporates as fear and suspicion rise.

Night 1 Portals of Eden
3

Realization of shared near-death experiences

The group discovers that each guest has recently faced a brush with death, linking their fates in a haunting way. The memories of those near-death moments—past heart attacks, accidents, and other crises—stoke anxiety about what the Portals of Eden may be. This realization deepens the mystery and fear among the survivors.

Early days Portals of Eden
4

Dave's prior heart attack

Dave reveals he had a heart attack before arriving at the resort, underscoring his vulnerability in the deteriorating situation. His frailty becomes a quiet point of tension for the group as they weigh who can endure what comes next. The revelation colors every new challenge with a personal stake.

Prior to arrival Portals of Eden
5

Ellen's fatal vaccine reaction

Ellen is linked to a fatal reaction to a rabies vaccine, a memory that shadows the resort’s tranquil facade. The event hints at hidden dangers and contributes to the sense that fate is playing a cruel game with them. The group grapples with fear that life and death can pivot on a single moment.

Prior to arrival Portals of Eden
6

Annette given unfamiliar sleeping pills

Annette discovers she was given unfamiliar sleeping pills by her husband, a revelation that sows suspicion and fear among the survivors. The mystery surrounding medical interference adds to the sense that nothing at Portals of Eden is accidental. Trust among the guests deteriorates as secrets surface.

Early days Portals of Eden
7

Lyle and Laurie's car accident

Lyle and Laurie recount a car accident they survived, another reminder of mortality that they bring with them into the resort’s strange refuge. Their shared trauma deepens the group's fragility and heightens the stakes of any decision they make. The accident becomes a touchstone for fear and survival.

Prior to arrival Portals of Eden
8

Reverend Fellows drowns

The memory of Reverend Fellows drowning surfaces among the guests, contributing to the ominous atmosphere. Mortality feels intimate and present, as if the resort itself is pressuring them to confront their fates. The group struggles to distinguish reality from a possible, ever-present nightmare.

Past Portals of Eden
9

Al’s possible fall down the stairs

Al recalls possibly falling down the stairs while drunk, another brush with death that haunts the survivors. Each near-miss adds to the feeling that fate is testing them at every turn. The line between accident and consequence becomes increasingly blurred.

Past Portals of Eden
10

The Hellish feeling grows

As conditions worsen, some guests begin to believe they are in Hell, a chilling interpretation of the paradise-turned-prison. Clues about their fates surface, hinting at a larger design behind the suffering. The resort shifts from luxury to a metaphysical battlefield of hope and despair.

Days after storm Portals of Eden
11

First seaplane and fragile hope

A seaplane lands to answer the distress call, and the pilot promises help but cannot take anyone to safety. The guests feel a surge of relief before reality intrudes again. Laurie recognizes the pilot as Johnny Delmonico, a singer recently reported dead in a plane crash.

Following days Portals of Eden docks
12

Second seaplane and hurricane explanation

A second seaplane arrives, and the pilot explains that the storm was a hurricane and that urgent relief efforts elsewhere caused delays. The crew clings to the possibility of rescue while doubt gnaws at their hope. The cycle of hope and setback continues.

Shortly after first plane Portals of Eden docks
13

Departure attempt fails; plane vanishes

The guests pack their bags and head toward potential escape, only to find the plane has vanished without a sound or trace of takeoff. They realize this is another cruel twist in the ongoing pattern of hope raised and dashed. The sense of being trapped intensifies.

Later Portals of Eden docks
14

Dave’s heartbreak as his wife reappears

Dave experiences a shocking reappearance of his wife, a clingy figure who seems to have killed herself rather than be without him. The apparition crushes his fragile hope of life with Ellen and deepens the sense that something beyond ordinary reality is at play. The moment leaves him more isolated than ever.

Evening Portals of Eden
15

Ending in uncertainty

With the plane gone and the environment unrelenting, the group remains stranded and trapped in a cycle of hope and despair. There is no clear resolution, only the lingering impression that their fates have been sealed by forces larger than themselves. The film closes on a mood of perpetual ambiguity.

End Portals of Eden

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 12:33

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Haunts of the Very Rich

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