Lady, Stay Dead

Lady, Stay Dead

Year: 1981

Runtime: 95 mins

Language: English

Director: Terry Bourke

Horror

She must stay alive while watching over her sister’s home. Unaware that her sister and the neighbor were killed by the handyman—who is also a serial killer—she initially believes everything is normal. As strange clues surface, the tension builds and she uncovers unsettling evidence, realizing the murderer is still at large. The simple caretaking job turns into a desperate, deadly cat‑and‑mouse struggle for survival.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Lady, Stay Dead yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline – Lady, Stay Dead (1981)

Trace every key event in Lady, Stay Dead (1981) 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

Mason spies on Marie and assaults her

Mason, a handyman at the Rocky Beach Motel, begins spying on Marie Coleby. That same day, as she packs to drive to the airport to fetch her sister Jenny, Mason invades her space, plays one of her songs on the radio, and rapes her.

afternoon Marie Coleby's home
2

Mason murders Marie by drowning her

Marie bites him and calls him an animal, and Mason drowns her in the fish tank. He then tries to hide her body in a garbage bag.

evening Marie Coleby's home
3

Mason kills neighbor Billy and poisons his dog

While disposing of Marie, his neighbor Billy Sheperd interrupts and is killed by Mason. Mason also poisons Billy's dog.

evening Billy Sheperd's residence
4

Jenny returns from the airport and searches for Marie

Jenny is driven home from the airport and finds the house empty. She later notices Marie's jewels in the fish tank and finds Billy's dog floating in the water at the beach.

evening Route from airport to home; beach
5

Jenny suspects Mason after meeting him

She makes several phone calls to locate Marie and Billy but gets no answers. When she meets Mason, his familiarity with the house makes her suspect him.

night Rocky Beach area
6

Muddy footprint reveals Mason's intrusion at sundown

At sundown, Jenny discovers a muddy footprint on the carpet, a sign that someone intruded and attempted to clean up the scene. The clue confirms Mason's involvement.

sundown Marie/Mason residence
7

Jenny finds Billy's body in the garden shed

Jenny runs to Billy's house to seek help and uncovers Billy's body hidden in his garden shed. The discovery deepens the danger she faces.

evening Billy's residence garden shed
8

Mason taunts Jenny at the motel and cuts the phone line

Back at the Rocky Beach Motel, Jenny finds Mason waiting with presents for her. He cuts the phone wire to stop any calls and taunts her, whistling 'Loving from a Distance'.

night Rocky Beach Motel
9

Police arrive; Pops is killed; Collings investigates

Two policemen arrive: Officer Clyde Collings and Patrolman Rex 'Pops' Dunbar. Mason shoots Pops with a shotgun, killing him, and Collings begins to piece together Mason's violent history.

night Rocky Beach Motel parking area
10

Collings warns Jenny to flee and reveals Mason's past

Collings explains that Mason has a history of raping other women who didn't press charges, and urges Jenny to run for the highway as Mason won't be seen in the dark. Jenny hesitates when she discovers Marie's body in the yard.

late night Rocky Beach Motel
11

Pool confrontation; Collings drowns Mason

Collings chases Mason and they fight in the motel's swimming pool area. Collings manages to drown Mason, seemingly ending the immediate threat.

late night Rocky Beach Motel pool
12

Mason survives and kills Collings

Mason unexpectedly survives the drowning and retaliates by killing Collings in a brutal act. He then pursues Jenny.

early morning Motel vicinity; Collings' car
13

Mason corners Jenny; motorcyclist stops him

Mason corners Jenny and begins to strangle her, but he is momentarily distracted by visions of Marie. A passing motorcyclist hits him, flinging him into Collings' car.

early morning Highway near motel
14

Police arrive and kill Mason

A patrol car arrives and officers find Jenny lying on the road. One officer inspects Collings' car and shoots Mason, ending the pursuit.

dawn Highway

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 14:57

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Lady, Stay Dead Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Lady, Stay Dead

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