With the holiday (and release of the BLACK CHRISTMAS remake) nearly upon us, it is time to discuss the subgenre of the "Christmas horror" film. There was a nice discussion of CHRISTMAS EVIL (aka YOU BETTER WATCH OUT) recently:

http://z8.invisionfree.com/MHVF/index.php?showtopic=6787

I can't think of a holiday that has more horror films set around it (and that includes Halloween). So what are some of your favorites? My list would include

GREMLINS (1984) - This was probably the first film I saw that mixes the holiday and horror. Joe Dante absolutely nails the tone with the best example being the pre-kitchen fight. Where else could "Do you hear what I hear?" be so scary? Plus, you have the Phoebe Cates story about her father. Probably my favorite Christmas horror movie.

The SILENT NIGHT, DEADLY NIGHT series - I actually love the first film in this series. The characters and dialogue are great (and infinitely quotable). How can you not feel sorry for Billy? After all, he was scolded by a nun for looking at nude people and forced into that Santa's outfit by Mr. Sims. That would make anyone want to punish! I could do without the sequels (I think the fourth one isn't even set on Christmas) although pt. 2 has grown on me for being insanely cheesy after I got over the rip-off shock. I seem to recall a drunk Mickey Rooney (in character only I hope) getting bashed over the head with a Jack Daniels bottle in pt. 5. Why aren't they still making these?

SILENT NIGHT, BLOODY NIGHT (1974) - I really like this film. I'll admit that the film's twist got me and I appreciate that. But I also think director Theodore Gershuny pulls off a nice style too. The sepia flashback is great and done really well. I also like the killer's POV which is similar to Bob Clark's BLACK CHRISTMAS (which is strange as this was filmed first). Plus you have Mary Woronov and John Carradine in supporting roles.

TALES FROM THE CRYPT (1972) - This Amicus anthology has the first cinematic killer Santa Claus I believe as he attacks a housebound Joan Collins who is trying to cover up a secret of her own. This is fantastic stuff (the whole film is topnotch and one of my favorite anthologies). This was also re-done by Robert Zemeckis for the HBO series in the 80s (I think it was the first episode) and he did a pretty good job with it. It wasn't nearly as scary as his other Christmas film (POLAR EXPRESS) though. :)

I'd have to say the worst Christmas horror film I have seen would be Ted Nicolau's PUPPET MASTER VS. DEMONIC TOYS (2004), which debuted on the Sci-Fi Channel. Seriously, I wanted to kill someone after watching that.

So what are you faves?

Funny you should bring the topic up, because I just Netflixed JACK FROST this afternoon. Yep, the infamous black comic horror movie about a killer snowman that slaughters the residents of a typical Midwestern small town. I don't know what writer/director Michael Cooney's budget was, but he could have used another million bucks. Big setpieces such as a car crash and an exploding police station take place completely off screen, and Shannon Elizabeth in one of her first roles takes a bath, but doesn't show any nudity. Cooney obviously shot someplace where it didn't really snow, so the streets are clear and shaving cream drips on the walls of buildings. The snowman is clearly made of foam, and it wisecracks like Freddy Krueger ("I'm one pissed-off snowcone!"). Still, it's a fun (and funny) movie, and Cooney does have talent. I'm not certain I should push my luck and watch JACK FROST 2 though.

The story about the children's party in DEAD OF NIGHT takes place on Christmas Eve, with the ghost of a little boy spoiling the fun. And I'm sure Leon's birth day is a Christmas his parents would care to forget in CURSE OF THE WEREWOLF.

While not technically horror, BRAZIL has many scenes of Christmas holiday nightmares, especially in the European director's cut. The opening in particular comes to mind: a family celebrating Christmas with decorated tree and music, while the little girl asks about Father Christmas coming down the chimney, only to be interrupted by stormtroopers sliding in on their own version of a chimney and stuffing Daddy into a big bag to take him away instead!

28 DAYS LATER was equally subversive and effective by presenting an inverse of the BRAZIL scene, an armored stormtrooper beats rabid people to death while forcing people into a cheery, Christmas decorated apartment where he will strip away his terrifying disguise to reveal an utterly jolly and surreal St Nick who proceeds to pass out Creme de Menthe to Christmas carol music.

And let us not forget Cronk and the Christmas nightmares he gives little children about Father Christmas in THE CITY OF LOST CHILDREN.

EDIT: Just wanted to add CURSE OF THE CAT PEOPLE, where a little girl gives Christmas presents to a ghost and a spooky old woman, then escapes her parents on a holiday snowstorm only to be haunted by the Headless Horseman and menaced by a psychotic and very terrifying Elizabeth Russell. How festive of her!

Yeah, as someone who's suffered through the sequel, stick with your happy memories of the original. Nice to know I'm not the only one whose keen on the rapist snowman.

Not really a horror movie but NIGHT TRAIN MURDERS is set at Christmas.

That reminds me that DEAD END (2003) with Ray Wise is also set around Christmas.

I also forgot ELVES, one of the worst films ever to be set around Christmas. Dan Haggerty as a store Santa Claus who must stop a Nazi experiment. Sound great right? WRONG!

And don't forget HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS.

WHOEVER SLEW AUNTIE ROO? (1971) has always been one of my favorite seasonal thrillers. A twisted little holiday treat, made in England for AIP, worked on by some of the Hammer team, and directed by Curtis Harrington. Any fans of classic British-style genre films that haven't seen this yet better get to it. Shelley Winters, Sir Ralph Richardson, and Mark Lester (of OLIVER!) are all top-notch, with a nice turn by Michael Gothard as well.

Another tradition of mine is the extremely rare CASH ON DEMAND (1961), not a thriller/horror per se, but a really intense character drama, from Hammer itself this time, starring Peter Cushing as a Scrooge-like stuffy bank clerk, and Andre Morell as someone who helps redefine his outlook on life. To explain further would ruin the film. This is on my top ten list of all time, and desperately needs to be released to DVD by Sony/Columbia.

A shame that Hammer never actually did A CHRISTMAS CAROL. Cushing would have been a wonderful Scrooge. Just the idea of Christopher Lee as Marley's ghost freaks me out.

Don't forget Edmund Purdom's (“additional scenes written and directed by Al McGoohan”) immortal Don't Open till Christmas in which a pyschopath murders people dressed up as Santa Claus.

1984 was a very strange year for Christmas trashing chillers - rather like buses you wait ages for them and then they all come at once - with this, Gremlins and Silent Night, Deadly Night.

Isn't there also a David Hess Santa slasher film? I seem to remember seeing the video box several times for rental but never picking it up.

Oh, and don't forget the Joan Collins segment of TALES FROM THE CRYPT.

To All a Good Night...comedy gold.

"You killed my dawhter...I shoulda killed you foist!"

Let's go ahead and throw the Alastair Sim A CHRISTMAS CAROL up there, too. Movies with undead visitors who undo the rags which keeps their jaws closed (something undertakers did in those days) tend to creep me out. And the silent, dancer-like Spirit of Christmas Yet to Come is scary, too, especially in all that black and white. It's a film which really communicates the feeling of cold, too, in Scrooge's underheated house and office, and in the graveyard.

Maybe it's time for a Christmas-themed sequel to THE OTHERS! I'd better lay off the rum punch...

This month I did a series of posts for the TCM Movie Morlocks blog called "A Cruel Yule," on Christmas-themed horror movies I like. I wrote about HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS, BLACK CHRISTMAS, NIGHT TRAIN MURDERS and SILENT NIGHT, BLOODY NIGHT but I couldn't find any images from the Amicus TALES FROM THE CRYPT vignette featuring the very scary killer Santa. Too bad, as I remember it with creeping fondness.

I just read about that blog last night when I picked up the new VW, Ricardo!

I put some Yuletide terror trailers up on YouTube if anyone wants to check them out.

TALES FROM THE CRYPT (1972)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lu-v2hrMXWk

SILENT NIGHT, BLOODY NIGHT
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1cxfZhjzDc

I haven't seen it yet but one of the segments in the Japanese horror anthology "Kazuo Umezu's Horror Theater" is about a deranged Santa Claus that goes on a murderous rampage.

It came out on DVD in the US earlier this year and although I couldn't find any reviews online I did come across a trailer here: Trailer

Anyone see this?

What's the rights situation with SILENT NIGHT BLOODY NIGHT? Its a Cannon film, isn't it? So does MGM/Sony have it?

I'd like to see what a "good" presentation of this film looks like. I know it'll never look great. From what I gather, its underlit grainy 16mm further degraded by both 35mm blow up AND post production opticals in addition to the usual transitions.

THE EXORSICM OF COFFIN JOE (1974) is a good example. It takes place on Christmas but it is in Brazil. Thus it is also a greener Christmas than some of us are accustomed too. Actually Coffin does a great job making a Holiday a Horrorday.

I'm bumping up this old thread for the hell of it. And the hope that some Mobian will introduce me to some creepy Christmas horror movie that isn't about yet another slasher Santa.

Dick Maas (THE LIFT, AMSTERDAMNED) just added to this subgenre with SINT (aka SAINT), which is about a killer St. Nicholas (sorry Mr. D'Annucci).

Other Xmas horrors since this thread started include the remake of BLACK CHRISTMAS (ugh), THE CHILDREN, ALIEN RAIDERS, and something called SILENT NIGHT, ZOMBIE NIGHT.

I recently watched the Mondo Macabro DVD of DON'T OPEN TIL CHRISTMAS and the disc looks and sounds good and there is a nice selection of bonus materials. It's just a shame the film itself isn't any good. It's not even so bad that it's good, it's just boring. I think 13 Santa Clauses get offed here? The mystery is so ridiculous and the characters are all so stupid that I just checked out...

Can anyone chime in on this thing? I know it has a cult appeal but what IS the appeal? Is it the inappropriate music when nothing is happening? The weird dialogue between the husband and wife right after her father is killed?

Lucy you got some 'splainin to do!

First movie that comes to mind is Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale (2010). If you're looking for an offbeat Santa tale, it's this.

Outlaw Vern reviews SANTA'S SLAY (2005)

Okay, despite what I said before, I'm intrigued.

MYSTERY OF THE WAX MUSUEM (1932)

The title says it all. The opening sequences take place on New Year’s Day. Later on, Police Headquarters is shown with its Christmas décor and tree still on display in its 2 strip splendor. The police are just sitting next to it and being easily annoyed about something. I guess they didn’t want investigate anything over the Holidays. After that the trimmings are out of view and it’s a frightful fest from there on. There is something endearing about a villain that is working over the Holidays to have his exhibit completed for the spring season.

EYES WIDE SHUT (1999)

Its Christmas time, after a quarrel with his wife a Doctor embarks on an odyssey that takes him all over dives and dirty places through Manhattan and upstate New York. In short he finds a whole different world in existence. The festivities are upon us with parties, colors, sex orgies, and who knows what else. Depending upon you aesthetics it’s sometimes known as Kubrick’s Jess Franco movie or his Radley Metzger movie or his own compilation movie. The movie seems to pertain to all of his previous movies in some form or another (especially KILLER’S KISS and LOLITIA). The Christmas color scheme looks as if the Monolith is an omnipresent thing that has been shattered into a billion little pieces and scattered over earth. Have you ever imagined Christmas without Christ? This is it. While nowadays Christianity has a pretty good lock on the holiday as a time for innocence and hope. However in the pre-medieval Christmas was something else. EYES WIDE SHUT is a very Pagan Christmas. Also the use of children is pretty astonishing. Some people groom children for nefarious things. Even the kids seen running around in a toy store at the conclusion seem like there being fatten for a kill.

THE LEGEND OF HELL HOUSE (1971)

Christmas week is spent in Hell House by four researchers studying the paranormal. The holiday itself is barely mentioned. The dates are posted on the screen to inform the audience of the impending time table. So why did the scribe Richard Matheson have it set at Yuletide? Perhaps it’s a parallel comparison between the spiritual cleansing of the house and the Winter Solstice. The days will slowly grow longer after New Year’s. Either way it’s an excellent movie to no matter what time of the year.

THOMAS KINKADE’S THE CHRISTMAS COTTAGE (2008)

It’s based on a Kinkade painting. That should make it scary. Look for Peter O’Toole as his mentor. “Paint the Light, Thomas. Paint the Light.”

GHOST STORIES FOR CHRISTMAS (2000)

Sir Christopher Lee hosts a series of stories based upon the writing of M.R. James. This is after all the English way. I’ve yet to see this but I’m sure it’s good. These stories make for some good reading especially “Martin’s Close”.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvkgwGGLp0k

THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES (2002)

This umpteenth version of the often told tale has its conclusion take place on Christmas Day. Why, I’m not sure. I don’t think that’s in the novel or the previous adaptations. This version is serviceable but not much else. The 1959 and 1983 version looks more like a Christmas tree. Watch those instead. Or you can always read “The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle”. That story actually takes place on Christmas.

PSYCHO (1998)

The remake, like the original takes place in early December. The remake actually shows the decorations adoring the streets before Marion Crane leaves town. It’s a good touch when you think about it. Late Autumn and Winter is when it finally rains in the desert. Rainfall is an important plot point for the story.

CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY (1944)

A Dancehall girl is awaiting the return of her psychotic ex-husband (and a Mamma’s Boy) during the Christmas time. It was written by Somerset Maugham and adapted by Herman Mankiewicz. It’s directed by Robert Soidmak and features Deanna Durbin and Gene Kelly against type in the leads. Gale Sondergaard is the cruel mother. Sounds great right? Yet it came off as uninvolving. It’s miscast and never gets around it. It does have a relationship that anticipates the likes of WHILE THE CITY SLEEPS and PSYCHO. Sometimes it’s a meandering melodrama and other times it’s a weak film noir. I give it an A for originality but I just wished liked it more. It does deserve more attention than a one paragraph write up. I’m just not the one to do it.

THE FEARLESS VAMPIRE KILLERS (1967)

Vampire Hunters make a point to end the madness of the December Danze Macabre. It’s more of a Winter Horror movie than a Christmas one. It does take place in December with some minor greenery trimmings. What makes it peculiar is that it’s a Jewish people threaten by crucifix fearing Vampires. The snowy landscapes are a marvel. It also anticipates the “Castle in the Snow” and the ski sequence from ON HER MAJESTIES SECRET SERVICE also taking place at Christmas time.


DAY OF THE BEAST (1997)

So it’s Christmas in Madrid and a Priest, a Headbanger and a Television psychic walk into a bar. To top it off The Devil will be reincarnated on Christmas Day. Not only will this mock the Holy Trinity but it may spell the end of mankind. Thus Three Foolish Men must stop Satan from spreading his seed and rescue a child set up for the sacrifice. It’s a horrific variation of “The Three Wise Men” and/or “Three Godfathers”. It works as both a Horror and Comedy and also poignant at times. It makes the point that we can’t choose our saviors. There is no reason to pass on this gift.

SHREIK OF THE MUTILATED (1973)

A Yeti rampages the New York countryside. It’s sort of like EYES WIDE SHUT with an emphasis on cannibalism instead of sex. More winter based than Christmas. There is pontificating about Saturnalia. So it’s another Christmas without Christ. It’s inept yet fascinating. It’s the kind of scares and scenarios that only a low budget horror movie could muster.

BELL, BOOK, AND CANDLE (1958)

It’s about Romance and Witchcraft during Christmas. I have yet to see it. I’ll catch up with it at some point, at least for the novelty of it.


DEVIL TIMES FIVE (1974)

Five insane children have escaped the insane asylum and have found shelter at a mountain cabin for the Holidays. They kids thus have their way with the boozing and over sexed residents. Like the aforementioned VAMPIRE KILLERS it’s more of a snowbound winter horror movie. It’s not really good but its serviceable and interesting time capsule. It features one of the more drawn out murders sequence I’ve ever seen. It’s even slowed down and saturated red to prolong it. It’s worth seeing alone for the 70s fashions, small town architecture, and décor. The most astonishing sequence isn’t the murdering kids. Nor is it even the Piranha in a bath tub. It’s a throwaway moment but for a moment you see a way too young Leif Garrett in drag flirting with Sorrell Brooks (Boss Hog from “The Dukes of Hazard”). It’s that like of movie. Enjoy.

As for Winter Fantasy there is also the Russian produced JACK FROST, the animated SNOW QUEEN and THE DAY THE EARTH FROZE. The version of the SNOW QUEEN I have is features Art Linkleter hosting a Kids Christmas party. It promptly segues into a David Fleisher/Universal TV edit of the Russian animated version. Despite that it’s still holds well. My kids actually like it.

I revisited this one last night. It is funny, as a kid I found it to be a somewhat entertaining slasher. Looking at it with adult eyes, it is obvious that there was a ton of behind the scenes turmoil on this project (something confirmed in the extras). Lots of gory stuff inserted that appears in complete contradiction to what Purdom was shooting. I wonder how he reacted to the final product?

Just bumping this up for the holidays. I think SILENT NIGHT was discussed in another thread, but if you want to continue it here (or talk about other holiday horrors), go nuts!

I reviewed this one for our Christmas horror coverage on the blog. PUREZENTO (PRESENT) is probably the goriest killer Santa Claus flick out there, but it doesn't offer much more than that.

Full review here:

http://originalvidjunkie.blogspot.com/2012...zento-2005.html

DEAD OF NIGHT: "THE EXORCISM" (1972) - I reviewed it on the boards last year or so:

http://z8.invisionfree.com/MHVF/index.php?...post&p=12576568



- excellent stuff - available in full on Youtube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSLfNEodElE

Thanks for the recommendation, Shawn. I'll have to check that out because I'm in the need of seeing something Xmas horror themed that is actually good. My latest torture was John "I co-wrote NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD" Russo's SANTA CLAWS (1996). Don't let that cover fool you as this story of a fan obsessed with a scream queen (Debbie Rochon) has nothing that exciting in it. What it does have are plenty of reasons for you to curse the day Russo decided he was going to try to match the level of success he had with NOTLD. Cinemasochists only need apply.

Full review here:

http://originalvidjunkie.blogspot.com/2012...claws-1996.html

I just saw Christmas Evil for the first time and was surprised by how good it is. It starts out looking like it's going to be terrible, but just keeps slowly ramping up, until you reach the ending, which is amazing. Netflix just rents out one of the full frame budget discs, so now I'm going to seek out the Synapse special edition. B)

The Synapse version is easily the best looking. An earlier DVD from Troma includes a commentary with Brandon Maggart.

I was not a fan of CHRISTMAS EVIL the first time I saw it, which was on VHS as YOU BETTER WATCH OUT. I thought it was slow and boring, and the ending was so ridiculous that I literally burst out laughing.

I was wrong.

Seeing it more than once on Synapse's DVD has given me an appreciation for the film I didn't have before. Maggart's performance is really incredible, and the film is a delicately crafted portrait of loneliness and madness.

I had a very similar experience with CHRISTMAS EVIL that Marty did. Saw it as a kid and hated it. Saw it as an adult and liked it.

Well, we wrapped up our Xmas horror coverage with an unwitting comparison of old and new as Tom reviewed SILENT NIGHT, DEADLY NIGHT III (from director Monte Hellman!) and I tackled the recent SILENT NIGHT, DEADLY NIGHT remake. One of us was luckier than the other.

SILENT NIGHT, DEADLY NIGHT III:

http://originalvidjunkie.blogspot.com/2012...lent-night.html

SILENT NIGHT:

http://originalvidjunkie.blogspot.com/2013...night-2012.html