The Haunting of Barney Palmer is a fantasy film for children about a young boy who is haunted by his great uncle. Young Barney fears that he has inherited the Scholar family curse; a suite of 80s-era effects ramp up the supernatural suspense. The film was a co-production between PBS (United States) and Wellington's Gibson Group, which resulted in Ned Beatty (Deliverance, Network) being cast. It was written by Margaret Mahy, based on her Carnegie Award-winning novel The Haunting, and an early fruitful collaboration between her and director Yvonne Mackay.
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
 Ned BeattyCole Scholar | Cole Scholar |
| AAlexis BanasBarney Palmer | Barney Palmer |
| EEleanor GibsonTabitha Palmer | Tabitha Palmer |
| MMeredith BraunTroy Palmer | Troy Palmer |
 Michelle LeuthartClaire Palmer | Claire Palmer |
 Andy AndersonJohn Palmer | John Palmer |
| BBernard KearnsBen Scholar | Ben Scholar |
 Yvonne LawleyGreat Grandmother Scholar | Great Grandmother Scholar |
 Patrick SmythAlberic Scholar | Alberic Scholar |
| LLeon BanasYoung Cole | Young Cole |
| SStephen JuddYoung Barnaby | Young Barnaby |