David Hess' "To All A Goodnight" (1980) - October 21, 2014 - Kino Lorber

[jdw89]

Got my copy today from Family Video, ugh, not even an eco-case but I hate when the art work looks damaged in some way.

[Ill_Be_Back]

Finally watched this other night, I find it funny that the night scenes are shot in the daytime. It was a fun film though, some good kills.

[ForEver Blu]

Watching this now, it looks great on blu.

[Demented D]

I'm just now discovering this movie. I'm definitely going to see if I can rent it.

[noirjunkie]

This title is part of Kino's "Moratorium" sale, which means that once the current print run is sold out, it's going out of print. If you're on the fence about picking it up, now would be the time.

[drownsoda]

Originally Posted by noirjunkie

This title is part of Kino's "Moratorium" sale, which means that once the current print run is sold out, it's going out of print. If you're on the fence about picking it up, now would be the time.

Too bad it's going OOP, but I doubt it's a major seller. I really do like this film, as weird and absurd as it is. It's an oddball slasher, but it's got heart to it.

[The Great Owl]

Two years after a tragic accident at the Calvin Finishing School For Girls, five students decide to stay on campus over the Christmas break in hopes of partying happily with a group of out-of-town guys while the superintendent is away. As night falls, our unwitting protagonists are visited by Santa Claus. There is only one minor problem. Their new guest is not actually Santa Claus. As the halls are decked with corpses by the diabolical killer in disguise, the few who remain must fight for their lives before no creature is left stirring in the house.

The 1980 seasonal slasher, To All a Goodnight, was shot over 10 days on a reported budget of $70,000 by director David Hess, who is best known as one of the psychopathic villains in Wes Craven's The Last House on the Left (1972). This outing, which predates the Silent Night, Deadly Night franchise, is one of the better horror offerings featuring a murderous individual in a Santa outfit, although its technical limitations guarantee that it will never be mistaken for a cinematic milestone. If you can forgive the fact that several night scenes are filmed during the day, then you are in for a holiday treat.

Jennifer Runyon, who also starred as the ESP girl in an early scene from Ghostbusters (1984), is a standout here as the reserved innocent girl surrounded by rambunctious classmates. Most astute slasher fans will be able to guess the identity of the killer and the identity of the final girl well before the credits roll, but the story nonetheless charms us with a few red herrings and fun surprises. Mark Shostrom, who would later work in the makeup department for A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors and Evil Dead II, provides gore effects that are convincing enough to put anyone in the Christmas spirit.

I first saw To All a Goodnight a couple of decades ago by way of a VHS tape, and I still enjoy taking it for a trip down memory lane during this most wonderful time of the year.

This Kino Lorber/Scorpion Releasing Blu-ray could use some subtitles, but, aside from that, it's a win.

[savage89]

I definitely like this one, but those daytime night scenes are really distracting. I have to say that in the extra interviews that the lead actress has greatly increased her....well.....assets in the years since this movie!!

[philip74]

I hope this will be re-issued at some point!

If it doesn`t, does anybody have the Spanish bluray and can comment on the quality.
Thanks

[lethalkrs]

Wow, I have never heard of this movie, and now I need to own a copy!! Guess the Spanish import is the only way to go now. No copies of the KL release for sale even on eBay.

[meremortal]

Caved and bought the dvd from KL's While Supplies Last Sale.

[drownsoda]

Is Kino's DVD edition going OOP too? I've noticed this with a number of their titles—they sell out of the Blu-ray, and the DVD slowly dwindles until they're out, and then they don't re-press. I think a few other titles are doing the same (or headed toward that)—I think Jennifer is about to be next.

[lilboyblu]

Originally Posted by drownsoda

Is Kino's DVD edition going OOP too? I've noticed this with a number of their titles—they sell out of the Blu-ray, and the DVD slowly dwindles until they're out, and then they don't re-press. I think a few other titles are doing the same (or headed toward that) —I think Jennifer is about to be next.

Keep an eye on this thread: Kino ‘While Supplies Last’ Sale

[dianabol5mg]

If you have Prime, you watch this right now in HD. The print looks great, too. It is NOT available for purchase, though.

edit: its the Kino print

[Darmok1004]

Just ordered the Blu-ray media book.

[Surge92]

Originally Posted by Darmok1004

Just ordered the Blu-ray media book.

From where? I put the Kino disc on the back-burner and missed out on it.

[mikey horror]

Originally Posted by Surge92

From where? I put the Kino disc on the back-burner and missed out on it.

https://www.orbitdvd.com/products/co...abook-region-b

[Darmok1004]

Ordered the Blu-ray from Orbit, it’s region B but I don’t know if it’s locked. I have a region free player so I’m good either way. Scheduled to arrive Saturday so I’ll know if it’s locked then.

[Surge92]

Originally Posted by Darmok1004

Ordered the Blu-ray from Orbit, it’s region B but I don’t know if it’s locked. I have a region free player so I’m good either way. Scheduled to arrive Saturday so I’ll know if it’s locked then.

I'm region-free also, so that's not a problem. $47 is rather pricey, though, for what's essentially a bottom-tier slasher. I do like the packaging, though. I'll have to think about this one.

[Darmok1004]

2254A01C-1089-49B8-AB68-C7C3FC833760.jpg

It arrived today w/ my Halloween Ends 4K. Book has a nice feel to it. Says on the back that mine is number 324 out of 333.