Sunday, October 2, 2011

31 Days Of Horror: Day 2 - FRIGHT NIGHT (1985)


One of the best of the vampire flicks from the 80's is Fright Night. Casts William Ragsdale as teen Charlie Brewster who has a nice vintage mustang, a girlfriend named Amy (Amanda Bearse, who would later on become Marcy on Married With Children), a goofy buddy named Evil Ed (Stephen Geoffreys) and a doting mother. Everything is just fine and dandy until a new neighbor named Jerry moves in. Jerry is played by Chris Sarandon and happens to be a vampire. And Charlie knows he's a vampire. And Jerry knows Charlie knows he's a vampire. After a skirmish one night that Charlie barely survives, the teen realizes he needs help and enlists the aid of TV host Peter Vincent, Vampire Killer (played with relish by Roddy McDowall). That's your movie in a nutshell and it works wonderfully. A nice mix of horror and humor that balances both genres just right. Sarandon makes a suave and dealdly vampire. While Ragsdale is good as Charlie and McDowall is clearly having a great time with his role as Peter Vincent. The recent remake with Colin Farrell is actually pretty good and is worthy to be placed alongside this one. Fright Night just followed by a decent sequel 4 years later.

 Jerry and Charlie meet for the first time

 Peter Vincent with Charlie, Amy and Ed

Jerry putting the moves on Amy

 Amy all vamped out

 Peter Vincent ready to do battle with the undead

Ed going through some major growing pains

1 comment:

Irene Palfy said...

ahem.. yay for Roddy McDowall! (well - it had to be said, hadn't it??)