July 18, 1980
With the runaway success of Friday The 13th, there was a lot of attention directed towards slasher films coming out in its wake. And Prom Night was no exception. I can still vividly remember watching the television spots for it and getting excited. This was definitely a film I had to go see on opening night.
I wasn’t alone in my desires, either. My aunt, Melody, who was the head of an apartment complex maintenance crew (don’t ask), was also quite taken with the trailers. So, we made plans to attend the opening night together. Little did I know, however, that she had invited her entire maintenance crew to come along with us. Not all of them showed up on that Friday night, but there were three of them there and they were quite the, uh, crew. Long-haired stoners were a dime-a-dozen in 1980, and this trio lived up to their image. Unfortunately, I didn’t get stoned along with them. Melody supported an anti-drug persona, so I opted out. But I’d swear you could smell that marijuana smoke on them. Ah...
The auditorium for Prom Night was packed. It was the same theater where I’d seen Friday The 13th, and it equaled that film for attendance. However, there was a different atmosphere. When Friday The 13th was released, we didn’t know what to expect. And certainly not the gory film we came to see. Prom Night, though, was expected to deliver the goods. It had to live up to Momma Voorhees, or it would fail. It was that simple. We’d been witness to Tom Savini’s handiwork, so now it was this little film from Canada’s turn to bring its best to the table.
Of course, it was a starring vehicle for Jamie Lee Curtis. And that right there put a lot of expectations on Prom Night’s shoulders. Curtis was, of course, the Scream Queen. The poor girl had survived Michael Myers for crissakes! So everyone already knew she was going to be the final girl. There were no surprises there. Did she live up to her reputation? Oh, sure. She does a fine job in the film, and I was pleasantly pleased with her performance.
Now, what about the film itself? It delivered in spades. The audience ate the film up. From one of the best chase sequences in the sub-genre to David Mucci’s decapitation, Prom Night gave the crowd what it was looking for. Of course, it’s nowhere as graphic as Friday The 13th, but what it lacked there it made up for in suspense. The aforementioned chase scene is a prime example of such an incident.
I will admit that the disco scenes were a little embarrassing. During the time of this film’s release, disco was slowly becoming extinct. So, it was a little strange to see it displayed so prominently within the film. Years later, I’ve come to cherish those scenes (especially the sequence between Curtis and Casey Stevens), and absolutely adore the soundtrack. And that’s another thing. If you’ve never been privy to owning the album, pick up the Prom Night soundtrack. You won’t be sorry.
When the film was over, and the audience was leaving the theater, talk about the movie began to circulate. Earlier in the year, Friday The 13th had been the hot topic. It was nothing to overhear people discussing Kevin Bacon’s death. But after the release of Prom Night, everybody began to talk about the van scene. Though it’s lost some of its footing in the sub-genre over the years, I’ll never forget fans being enamored with that kill. Whenever I revisit the film, I always get a bit excited for it. I can still remember how beloved it was in 1980.
So, did Melody and the maintenance crew enjoy the film? Melody certainly did. She was as big a slasher fan as I am, and I’m sorry to say I haven’t spoken to her in years. On the other hand, I believe the crew was too stoned to care either way. They appeared to like it, though. There was certainly no disapproval.
One thing that bothered me, though, and I’m embarrassed to admit this today, but it took me awhile to figure out why Michael Tough is wearing make-up at the end of the film. Of course, I now understand it. But the first time I saw Prom Night, it completely took me off-guard. I now see it as an essential part of the movie. From the bit where Antoinette Bower is missing her lipstick to Tough showing up wearing it, well... The pieces all finally fell together for me.
I went to see Prom Night a few more times at the theater, and also caught it at the drive-in. I’d also like to mention the first time I saw it on television. It was cool to see that the filmmakers were attempting a bit more red herring action with Leslie Nielsen. It’s too bad those scenes were cut and have never reared their head on DVD. Until then I suppose I’ll be stuck with my VHS warhorse.
I’ve since lost count of how many times I’ve seen Prom Night. And I enjoy it more and more on each viewing. I still lament that we never received a direct sequel. I suppose that might’ve been hard with Tough’s passing in the movie, but I would’ve preferred it to Mary Lou and her shenanigans.
And yes, I also went to see the refake on opening day. I knew I was in trouble with a PG-13 rating, but I couldn’t stay away. I’m a glutton for punishment. That’s the last you’ll ever hear me make mention of that particular, um, film.
Now, let’s put on our boogie shoes and enjoy Prom Night! Let’s slip the DVD into the player, do our best to remind ourselves that it’s once again 1980, and sit back to enjoy the show. I know that I will.
Written by Trever Palmer
With the runaway success of Friday The 13th, there was a lot of attention directed towards slasher films coming out in its wake. And Prom Night was no exception. I can still vividly remember watching the television spots for it and getting excited. This was definitely a film I had to go see on opening night.
I wasn’t alone in my desires, either. My aunt, Melody, who was the head of an apartment complex maintenance crew (don’t ask), was also quite taken with the trailers. So, we made plans to attend the opening night together. Little did I know, however, that she had invited her entire maintenance crew to come along with us. Not all of them showed up on that Friday night, but there were three of them there and they were quite the, uh, crew. Long-haired stoners were a dime-a-dozen in 1980, and this trio lived up to their image. Unfortunately, I didn’t get stoned along with them. Melody supported an anti-drug persona, so I opted out. But I’d swear you could smell that marijuana smoke on them. Ah...
The auditorium for Prom Night was packed. It was the same theater where I’d seen Friday The 13th, and it equaled that film for attendance. However, there was a different atmosphere. When Friday The 13th was released, we didn’t know what to expect. And certainly not the gory film we came to see. Prom Night, though, was expected to deliver the goods. It had to live up to Momma Voorhees, or it would fail. It was that simple. We’d been witness to Tom Savini’s handiwork, so now it was this little film from Canada’s turn to bring its best to the table.
Of course, it was a starring vehicle for Jamie Lee Curtis. And that right there put a lot of expectations on Prom Night’s shoulders. Curtis was, of course, the Scream Queen. The poor girl had survived Michael Myers for crissakes! So everyone already knew she was going to be the final girl. There were no surprises there. Did she live up to her reputation? Oh, sure. She does a fine job in the film, and I was pleasantly pleased with her performance. Now, what about the film itself? It delivered in spades. The audience ate the film up. From one of the best chase sequences in the sub-genre to David Mucci’s decapitation, Prom Night gave the crowd what it was looking for. Of course, it’s nowhere as graphic as Friday The 13th, but what it lacked there it made up for in suspense. The aforementioned chase scene is a prime example of such an incident.
I will admit that the disco scenes were a little embarrassing. During the time of this film’s release, disco was slowly becoming extinct. So, it was a little strange to see it displayed so prominently within the film. Years later, I’ve come to cherish those scenes (especially the sequence between Curtis and Casey Stevens), and absolutely adore the soundtrack. And that’s another thing. If you’ve never been privy to owning the album, pick up the Prom Night soundtrack. You won’t be sorry.
When the film was over, and the audience was leaving the theater, talk about the movie began to circulate. Earlier in the year, Friday The 13th had been the hot topic. It was nothing to overhear people discussing Kevin Bacon’s death. But after the release of Prom Night, everybody began to talk about the van scene. Though it’s lost some of its footing in the sub-genre over the years, I’ll never forget fans being enamored with that kill. Whenever I revisit the film, I always get a bit excited for it. I can still remember how beloved it was in 1980.
So, did Melody and the maintenance crew enjoy the film? Melody certainly did. She was as big a slasher fan as I am, and I’m sorry to say I haven’t spoken to her in years. On the other hand, I believe the crew was too stoned to care either way. They appeared to like it, though. There was certainly no disapproval.
One thing that bothered me, though, and I’m embarrassed to admit this today, but it took me awhile to figure out why Michael Tough is wearing make-up at the end of the film. Of course, I now understand it. But the first time I saw Prom Night, it completely took me off-guard. I now see it as an essential part of the movie. From the bit where Antoinette Bower is missing her lipstick to Tough showing up wearing it, well... The pieces all finally fell together for me.
I went to see Prom Night a few more times at the theater, and also caught it at the drive-in. I’d also like to mention the first time I saw it on television. It was cool to see that the filmmakers were attempting a bit more red herring action with Leslie Nielsen. It’s too bad those scenes were cut and have never reared their head on DVD. Until then I suppose I’ll be stuck with my VHS warhorse.
I’ve since lost count of how many times I’ve seen Prom Night. And I enjoy it more and more on each viewing. I still lament that we never received a direct sequel. I suppose that might’ve been hard with Tough’s passing in the movie, but I would’ve preferred it to Mary Lou and her shenanigans.
And yes, I also went to see the refake on opening day. I knew I was in trouble with a PG-13 rating, but I couldn’t stay away. I’m a glutton for punishment. That’s the last you’ll ever hear me make mention of that particular, um, film.
Now, let’s put on our boogie shoes and enjoy Prom Night! Let’s slip the DVD into the player, do our best to remind ourselves that it’s once again 1980, and sit back to enjoy the show. I know that I will.
Written by Trever Palmer
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