Two weeks ago we kicked off the summer with an ode to some of the more memorable aqua-horror flicks to ever come about. Now, as a flip-sided encore, we’re keeping the summer theme alive and well by saluting some of the most sterling summer-camp horror joints. Cabins, resorts, pitched tents, wigwams, yurts, hammocks, wooded sheds…and a whole lot of mothaf*ckin’ murder! So be a sport, fire up the charcoal, grab the beer and barbeque sauce, the inflatable mattress, the bug-spray, a fatty or two, and let’s spend some much needed R&R at a few harrowing horror campsites. Vacation has never felt so damn painful…
WARNING: MINOR TO MAJOR SPOILERS BELOW!
#10. CHEERLEADER CAMP (1988)
Buy CHEERLEADER CAMP on DVD here
I remember watching Jon Quinn’s low-rent slasher whodunit CHEERLEADER CAMP in high-school, at my late best friend’s house (RIP Kane), with about six or seven of us. Thick ganja smoke clouded the air, the 80-proof and German hops did laps, laughter was nary a stranger. And with that, I also remember diggin’ the film quite a bit. First off, the film has a highly impressive body count for a supposed throwaway late 80s slasher flick. I’m talking deleterious double digits! I also quite enjoyed the murder mystery element to the film. Much like MY BLOODY VALENTINE, trying to suss who among the bunch of randy teenagers is the actual killer becomes a large part of the fun. Plus, what’s not to love about a 24 year old Betsey Russell (SAW) and a pre-porn star Teri Weigel? In cheerleader garb? F*ckin’ fire! Props to my man Karl Mnarl for correctly guessing the murderous culprit…we all laughed at your prediction at first.
#9. SUMMER CAMP NIGHTMARE (1987)
Buy SUMMER CAMP NIGHTMARE on DVD here
A bit of a misnomer, Bert L. Dragin’s 1987 SUMMER CAMP NIGHTMARE is more of a violent, LORD OF THE FLIES type drama about authoritative abuse than an out-and-out horror joint, but there’s certainly enough unsettling moments to be feted on this here commemoration. For those who missed it, the film follows a cadre of male campers who stage a coup and lock up their camp director and councilors and overtake the camp for themselves. Fit hits the shan when the revolt extends to a nearby girls camp, where the de facto ring leader of the boys starts going postal. Penelope Spheeris (who directed SUBURBIA, WAYNE’S WORLD, BLACK SHEEP) co-wrote the screenplay, adapting from William Butler’s novel “The Butterfly Revolution.” A hard film to find, but if you can, you won’t be disappointed. Come to think of it, I’m pretty sure the film is playing in 10-parts on Youtube.
#8. CABIN FEVER (2002)
Buy CABIN FEVER on DVD here
Eli Roth’s semi-satirical debut feature is a much welcomed variation of theme; instead of a throng of kids being stalked-and-slashed in the woods by a deranged psychopath, they’re unsuspectingly infected by a putrid flesh-eating virus. The source? Fiery bum-water! Seriously, the tonal ambiguity of the film has drawn a love-it or hate-it polarity, and I’m proudly in the former camp. Aside from seeing Cerina Vincent’s nubile flesh, my mind is still and will forever be boggled by the late sequence in which the foully mulleted Dennis goes mental…does a slow-mo tae kwon do kata, replete with cartwheels, all-the-while randomly screaming “Pancakes, Pancakes, Pancakes.” I’m forever a changed man after seeing that shite. And let’s not forget about Deputy Winston. Good lord that dude’s off his rocker…far more interested in partying in Wambusa than doing any kind of police work. Props to Roth for infusing his faithful throwback horror joint with such an off-kilter sense of humor.
#7. JUST BEFORE DAWN (1981)
Buy JUST BEFORE DAWN on DVD here
I’m not sure how many of you have seen Jeff Liberman’s unheralded mountain maraud JUST BEFORE DAWN, but damn is this one worth seeking out. Lost in the vast shuffle of early 80s slasher fare, here’s a slow burning creepshow with palpable atmosphere and brooding sense of impending menace. The great George Kennedy gives a solid performance as an cautionary park ranger, playing the part with a sly twinge of ulterior sleaze. Also, not to spoil anything, but it can be argued that Kevin Williamson and Wes Craven owe a debt of gratitude for the success of SCREAM to this film. That’s all I can say. More glaringly, JUST BEFORE DAWN draws from such sinister outback horror as DELIVERANCE and THE HILLS HAVE EYES (perhaps Wes was repaying the homage a decade and a half later, though Lieberman claims to never have seen HILLS prior to filming). For a movie that turned 30 this year, JUST BEFORE DAWN is quite a sight to behold.
#6. MADMAN (1982)
Buy MADMAN on DVD here
Mothaf*ckin’ Madman Marz! To those who’ve seen Joe Giannone’s lesser known 1982 slasher redux, you know exactly what I’m talking about. And by redux I mean this film is to THE BURNING what THE BURNING is to FRIDAY THE 13TH…basically a cheaper and slightly watered down version. In fact, MADMAN began as a retelling of the Cropsy legend, but was subsequently rewritten when the production team learned THE BURNING boasted a similar premise. That being said, MADMAN certainly has its merits as a standalone summer-camp slasher effort. Some of the kills involving a large wood-axe are genuinely mortifying, the dialogue isn’t as dopey as you might expect from a low-budget 80s horror flick, it has a pretty damn cool ending, and features one of the all time most ridiculous hot tub scenes ever recorded. For all those unwilling to shell out $23 for the new 2-disc 30th anniversary DVD, keep your lids peeled for the occasional IFC screening.
STAY TUNED FOR PART 2!