BY BRANDON ENGEL
We've all seen Halloween, Friday the
13th, and Hellraiser. But for true horror aficionados, much of the
charm of the genre lies in low budget, low production value, and extreme,
outrageous effects and plots. Read on to learn more about five of the forgotten
horror films of
the 80’s that, while an exercise in bad taste, will provide the horror fan with
a truly enjoyable viewing experience.
Pumpkinhead
While poorly received upon its 1988 debut, Pumpkinhead has
built up a cult following in the years since its release. The movie tells of a
small rural town besieged by an ancient, gigantic monster (the titular
character), who is called into being by a father who wants to exact revenge on
the teenagers who have injured his young son in a dirt biking accident. The
film, which starred genre favorite Lance
Henriksen as the vengeful patriarch, spawned one direct to video sequel and
two made-for-television films.
Happy Birthday to Me
The Canadian production stars Little House on the
Prairie darling Melissa Sue Anderson as Ginny, the leader of an elite high
school clique whose members meet unfortunate ends. This 1981 slasher flick is
best remembered—when it's remembered at all—for the bizarre methods by which
the teens are murdered (including death
by shish kabob and death by weight lifting). These elements, in addition to
the twist ending, set it apart from the rest of the early 80’s slasher pack.
C.H.U.D.
This 1984 comedy horror is about a race of humanoid
mutants (CHUDs, or Cannibalistic Humanoid Underground Dwellers), who live in
the subway tunnels beneath New York City. When the government cracks down on
transients who live in the transit system, the CHUDs begin coming up onto the
streets to feed. Starring John Heard and Daniel Stern, the movie is
quintessential midnight viewing and one of the best horror films set in the Big
Apple. C.H.U.D. was so popular upon its release, it developed a cult following
and can still be seen on the El Rey
Network, which DirecTV and Dish
Network customers have access to.
Alligator
Another creature feature set in the urban underground,
1980's Alligator is about a giant reptile who is killing humans in the sewer
system of Chicago. The movie is based on the urban legend about a child who
flushed a pet baby alligator down the toilet when it gets too large to live in
the house. Although the film has largely been lost to time, it was praised upon
its release for its satirical elements and even spawned a board
game.
The Stuff
Falling more on the science fiction side of horror, 1985's The
Stuff is an engaging satire with plenty of comedic elements. The film focuses
on the marketing of a white substance found bubbling out of the ground as a
sweet, calorie free treat that the public begins to consume like ice cream. As
you might suspect, that's not a great idea. Soon, it's apparent that those who
eat The Stuff are transformed into mindless zombies. The cult
classic features the earliest known film appearances by both Mira Sorvino
and Patrick Dempsey.
While you won't find these films in the list of genre classics, it's worth
probing the back catalog to check out these unique
pieces of horror history. Many will appreciate their amateur acting, obvious monster props, and ridiculous storylines.