Tag: Ted Nicolaou

TOURIST TRAP (1979)

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Directed By: David Schmoeller

Written By: David Schmoeller and J. Larry Carroll

Cinematography: Nicholas Von Sternberg

Editor: Ted Nicolaou 

Cast: Chuck Connors, Tanya Roberts, Jocelyn Jones, Jon Van Ness, Robin Sherwood, Keith McDermott, Dawn Jeffory 

Four people go in search of their missing friend. What they find is Slausen’s Lost Oasis, and mannequin-dressed museum, and a seemingly abandoned mansion owned by gentle old Mr. Slausen. He agrees to help with their car trouble, but some of the girls decide to look for a working phone inside the house even though Mr. Slausen warned them not to. Hidden within the home is Mr. Slausen’s misunderstood mask-hidden younger brother. What they learn is that the mannequins seem very much alive, or is there something much more terrifying behind the mask?

A great old-school horror of the 1980s. That was a video store heyday that haunted the shelves. It took me this long to finally watch and it’s a shame as this is definitely a film that stays on your mind.

This is one of those films you think you have seen a long time ago then when watching realize you never did. Even as you have seen the poster title for the longest time.

This film at first seems like it will be run off like the poster that could be for any 1980s generic horror film, but this one set itself apart with a kind of creepy puppet tree. That leads to a disturbing atmosphere throughout.

The characters/victims are the usual suspects. You never get to really know them and barely care about them. You were just appalled that they have to go through this torturous violence for nothing. 

The mask of a character from an episode of the Nickelodeon show  SALUTE YOUR SHORTS. The episode was creepy out of nowhere and didn’t seem to be as intentional as it is in this film.

Were it not for the originality and creepy atmosphere the characters and kills are pretty basic and almost not eventful. Except for most of the cast, conveniently short summer outfits.

Especially Tonya Roberts cleavage heavy, and tube top that only adds to its exploitation factor.

This is a shame, considering its originality and other aspects as it becomes more and more unsettling 

There are some action sequences, though they are slow and it seems like the characters wound,  very easily.

The film is not too far off. it’s believable at least in the first half of the film. 

The film seems to be designed to be more atmospheric with a smaller number of characters which leads to the film feeling more intimate. When there is a Chase the film has more time like the killer to stalk.

As a fan of Chuck Connors, this film is quite enjoyable as he is clearly having fun in his role and he is truly the big-name star of the film, especially at the time of its release.

The film is inventive when it does things that are there to surprise you like switching around the final girl you might expect. The survivor truly ends up, becoming someone you would least expect. By the end, the film still offers something that makes it feel even creepier.

That makes you wonder in the end if there is still a certain psychosis meaning that the killer has succeeded. it certainly leaves the audience with something unexpected and unsettling. 

Grade: B 

BUTCHER BAKER, NIGHTMARE MAKER (1981)

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Directed By: William Asher 
Written By: Stephen Breimer, Alan Jay Glueckman & Boon Collins 
Cinematography: Robbie Greenberg 
Editor: Ted Nicolaou 

Cast: Jimmy McNichol, Susan Tyrell, Bo Svenson, Julia Duffy, Bill Paxton, Britt Leach, Steve Eastin

Since the death of his parents fourteen years ago, Billy Lynch has been raised by his overprotective aunt Cheryl. But once he turns seventeen, he is soon set on planning his life…without her. He’s planning on going on to college and is dating local girl Julie. None of which sits well for his aunt, who’s lost everyone else in her life and now with her nephew ready to leave, ensures she starts on a campaign to keep him with her…forever. But as her plans misfire she becomes swept up in a cycle of psychosis and frenzied violence all being blamed on Billy by everyone else…including a homophobic detective, whose anti-gay prejudice is steadily reaching its zenith…leading to an unforeseeable outcome.

This film feels silly even for the time when it was released. Watching the film is a fun experience in its awfulness.

It’s entertainment is marred by its characters’ homophobia. This is disappointing as it easily could have been an unintentional camp classic. Surprised it hasn’t been embraced by a cult audience of not for anything at least the performance and gusto from Susan Tyrell.

The lead performance by Susan Tyrell gives it her all and goes way over the top. So unhinged In one of her rare leading roles.

So unhinged that as the movie moves along even her look begins to deteriorate. She is obviously wearing a wig and once her character cuts it she goes further off the deep end. It ends up being her real hair.

Revealing the killer wept on makes the movie more suspenseful. Especially as the film goes along, there ends up being few choices as to who it could be and where the film can go. 

The film has Bill Paxton in an early role as a jealous bully. Not to mention Julia Duffy as the teenage nephew’s love interest.

The film ultimately revolves around a serious obsession between the aunt for her nephew. Which also makes the film feel more suited for a drive in a movie theater. 

The movie’s special effects, the few that there Are, are so bad they become laughable especially when it cowls to stabbings and dismemberment. 

Memorably bad but the film Means well and tries hard. So that it is more entertaining and fun than scary. If this is a genre you particularly like.

It can be understood that homophobia was the Mood at the time. The film tries to justify that mood as evil by having one fo the good characters be gay. But also at the end, most of the characters with that discrimination end up dead. 

This is a film you look for more for fun than necessary thrills or any kind of horror 

GRADE: C