The 1970's Slasher/Proto-Slasher Thread

[Val Lewton]

The 1980's was unquestionably the decade that saw the slasher film proliferate. We have a thread for that here, but what about the 1970's? The 1970's laid the foundation and gave birth to what we now call slasher films.

This thread will be for keeping track of 1970's slashers and proto-slashers. Since this is the North American section section of the forum, the titles listed will be Region A or Region Free, at least for the time being.

There is also enormous crossover potential with the Giallo thread located here, I've made the choice to leave as many off the list as possible.

Please let me know what's missing and give me your feedback. These are in no particular order:









Upcoming Releases:

Forced Entry 1975 (Code Red, TBA)

Don't Go in the House 1979 (Scorpion Releasing, August)

Silent Scream 1979 (Scorpion Releasing, TBA)

Last House on Dead End Street 1977 (Vinegar Syndrome, TBA)


Rumored

Scream Bloody Murder 1973 (Arrow)

[thesender]

Excellent idea for a thread!

Would recommend to open it up to worldwide releases though, to make sure it is definitive resource. Most collectors have region free and if you don't, no excuses

[Val Lewton]

Originally Posted by thesender

Excellent idea for a thread!

Would recommend to open it up to worldwide releases though, to make sure it is definitive resource. Most collectors have region free and if you don't, no excuses

Thanks sender. I probably will.

[zbinks]

[Val Lewton]

Thanks Zbinks, added.

[Pinot Grigio]

The Roommates double feature from Gorgon should be here.

[Val Lewton]

Originally Posted by Pinot Grigio

The Roommates double feature from Gorgon should be here.

Thanks Pinot! That's one I've been meaning to pick up.

[redrunner97]

60's, but it's a proto-slasher



In my official review I said "If Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho is the grandfather of all slasher movies, then that most certainly makes Dementia 13 the grandmother." Possibly the most accurate statement of my life! lol. Fantastic film, woefully underrated.

[Val Lewton]

Originally Posted by redrunner97

60's, but it's a proto-slasher



In my official review I said "If Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho is the grandfather of all slasher movies, then that most certainly makes Dementia 13 the grandmother." Possibly the most accurate statement of my life! lol. Fantastic film, woefully underrated.

I agree. Forum member Gerby suggested that I add Corruption(1968) so I'm considering adding a section at the bottom for the 60's. There's definitely a few that fit the bill (Peeping Tom, Psycho, etc.) and Scream Factory is releasing I Saw What You Did, which I'm looking forward to and think fits the bill.

[Pinot Grigio]

No problem! Also: Tower of Evil.

[Val Lewton]

Originally Posted by Pinot Grigio

No problem! Also: Tower of Evil.

Good call. Added.

[Lucy Ashton]

Awesome thread! I own - and love - most of these. You might consider adding Island of Death, which fits the mould as a spree killer / body count fest.

I hope at one point we will be able to add:

- Silent Night, Bloody Night
- Rituals
- Alice, Sweet Alice aka Communion
- Killer's Delight

[Val Lewton]

Originally Posted by Lucy Ashton

Awesome thread! I own - and love - most of these. You might consider adding Island of Death, which fits the mould as a spree killer / body count fest.

I hope at one point we will be able to add:

- Silent Night, Bloody Night
- Rituals
- Alice, Sweet Alice aka Communion
- Killer's Delight

Thanks, Lucy. Added it. I'd love to add every one of those titles you listed, especially Silent Night, Bloody Night!

[Lucy Ashton]

Originally Posted by Val Lewton

Thanks, Lucy. Added it. I'd love to add every one of those titles you listed, especially Silent Night, Bloody Night!

I asked Vinegar Syndrome about a the possibility of Silent Night, Bloody Night on Blu a couple of years back, and they said they didn't have any plans, because they believed there were much better elements out there, possibly the negative itself. They added that if they found more suitable elements, they'd consider it.

I wonder if Mary Woronov would do an interview for a release of it? Apparently she doesn't think too highly of it.

[Val Lewton]

Originally Posted by Lucy Ashton

I asked Vinegar Syndrome about a the possibility of Silent Night, Bloody Night on Blu a couple of years back, and they said they didn't have any plans, because they believed there were much better elements out there, possibly the negative itself. They added that if they found more suitable elements, they'd consider it.

I wonder if Mary Woronov would do an interview for a release of it? Apparently she doesn't think too highly of it.

That would be amazing if they could find a way to make it happen. I wonder if it's apparent public domain status might have something to do with it? Code Red released a good version of it on DVD with Invasion of the Blood Farmers, which is now OOP. Film Chest has a really decent version of it on DVD. I haven't checked out Vinegar Syndrome's version that they offer as a free download yet.

I had also heard that Mary Woronov didn't like it, but I saw an interview with her recently and she spoke very fondly of it! I believe the director was her boyfriend or husband at the time. He's since passed away so maybe her dislike of it at the time stemmed from him? I'll try to find that interview and post it. Either way, I love Mary Woronov. She's a legend.

[Lucy Ashton]

I'd love to read that Woronov interview. She's an exceptional beauty, and her presence is definitely an asset to SNBN.

Regarding the movie's public domain status, are there any examples of VS (or Code Red) releasing public domain titles on Blu?

On an unrelated note: Does The Confessional aka House of Mortal Sin qualify? I saw a couple of other Pete Walker titles in the same vein on your list...

[Val Lewton]

Originally Posted by Lucy Ashton

I'd love to read that Woronov interview. She's an exceptional beauty, and her presence is definitely an asset to SNBN.

Regarding the movie's public domain status, are there any examples of VS (or Code Red) releasing public domain titles on Blu?

On an unrelated note: Does The Confessional aka House of Mortal Sin qualify? I saw a couple of other Pete Walker titles in the same vein on your list...

Off the top of my head I know Code Red released Night of the Living Dead and Zombies aka I Eat Your Skin and gave them different aspect ratios. There may have been others, but I'm drawing a blank. I'm not sure about Vinegar Syndrome.

I'll add the Confessional to the list!

[Lucy Ashton]

Originally Posted by Val Lewton

Off the top of my head I know Code Red released Night of the Living Dead and Zombies aka I Eat Your Skin and gave them different aspect ratios.

Ah, yes, the Night of the Living Deadz release.

Other titles to consider: Terror Circus aka Barn of the Naked Dead (follows the same formula as The Hills Have Eyes) and maybe Massage Parlor Murders (sloppy police procedural with leanings towards stalk'n slash horror).

[The Great Owl]

How did I not know until now that Bonnie's Kids is already available on Blu-ray. Wow... Just wow.

So, I just added Bonnie's Kids/The Centerfold Girls and, at long last, The Roommates/A Woman for all Men to an Amazon order.

[Gerby]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

How did I not know until now that Bonnie's Kids is already available on Blu-ray. Wow... Just wow.

So, I just added Bonnie's Kids/The Centerfold Girls and, at long last, The Roommates/A Woman for all Men to an Amazon order.

The transfer on Bonnie's Kids looks pretty good to my eyes too! One the finest 70's exploitation films IMO.
Centrefold girls is a lot rougher looking but the film more than makes up for that.