Aspiring American movie producer Irwin Yablans was very impressed with John Carpenter’s sophomore full length feature thriller. Made on a minuscule budget of $100,000 Assault on Precinct 13 was daringly original with its distinctive color pallet, gritty realism, eerie soundtrack and solid acting.
In fact Yablans was so impressed–and inspired–that on a flight back to Los Angeles from the London Film Festival, he mapped out the idea for a horror movie that suddenly dawned on him. He set up a meeting with Carpenter at the Hamburger Hamlet on the Sunset Strip and pitched it to him.
“I said, I have this idea to do a movie about a bunch of babysitters being terrified on Halloween. But I want it to be theater of the mind. Think Psycho and The Exorcist. We won’t show any blood and gore. I said it was like a radio show. You set the audience up and let them scream. John and I, we connected immediately. He said, ‘I know exactly what you want to do.’ ”
Collaborating with then girlfriend and fellow screenwriter Debra Hill, Carpenter wrote the script in ten days tentatively naming it The Babysitter Murders. Yablans suggested the title Halloween instead and Carpenter, who had demanded full creative control (writing, directing, and scoring the musical soundtrack) in exchange for accepting a paltry salary of $10,000 and ten percent of the profits, agreed.
Filmed in twenty-one days on a budget of $300,000, Halloween premiered in Kansas City, Missouri on October 25, 1978. The premier garnered respectable numbers for an independent film. The next night, though, was a harbinger of the success to come.
“The numbers were double. The third night, they quadrupled. This means everybody who saw this picture felt compelled to go home and tell somebody else to go see it.” Irwin Yablans
Halloween went on to gross 70 million dollars, making it the most profitable independent film in cinematic history, until The Blair Witch Project bested it some twenty years later. The movie established John Carpenter as viable directorial star by showcasing his own distinctive film signatures, e.g., minimalism, natural lighting, claustrophobic framing, innovative music score, indestructible killer with tropes borrowed from other horror sub genres, molding a template for the slasher film prototype. In 2006 John Carpenter’s Halloween was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress.
Precursors of the Halloween prototype:
The Scarlett Claw (1944) – director, Roy William Neill, starring Basil Rathbone, Nigel Bruce – A Sherlock Holmes movie, that employs the use of a distinctive weapon (a gardening tool) to dispatch victims. The camera focuses on the disguised killer’s arm as he raises “the claw” menacingly in the air and then repeatedly strikes. Fine use of special effects, camera work and music.
The Spiral Staircase (1946) – director,Robert Siodmark, starring Dorthy McGuire, George Brent, Ethel Barrymore – Sophisticated thriller that blends elements of Gothic horror, psychological horror and film noir. Early use of mystery killer’s first person camera perspective, victim stalking and menacing black leather gloves visual.
Psycho (1960) – director, Alfred Hitchcock, starring Janet Leigh, Anthony Perkins – Undoubtedly the quintessential psychological horror film and precursor to the slasher. The first American film to thoroughly, unashamedly examine erotic violence. Tremendous use of musical score, foreshadowing, the light to dark motif, setting and subliminal terror. A harrowing, unabashed masterpiece. British director Michael Powell’s Peeping Tom proceeded Psycho by a few months and is an equal masterpiece in many respects and is similar in theme.
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974) – director, Tobe Hooper, cinematographer, Daniel Pearl, starring Marilyn Burns, Allen Danziger, Paul A. Partain – Shoestring budget exploitation film that emphasizes the dreaded remote location with documentary style camera work and disconcertingly, beautiful cinematography. Utilizes the “final girl”, “masked, lumbering killer” and “unusual weapon” trope.
Black Christmas (1974) – director, Bob Clark, starring Olivia Hussey, Margot Kidder, Keir Dullea – Canadian, horror, mystery that employs the killer’s first person camera perspective, creepy, obscene phone calls, i.e., Get out! The call is coming from your house!! juxtaposed against a holiday setting. Deploys ensemble college age cast, strong female lead, feminist themes and ambiguous ending.
Deep Red (1975) – director, Dario Argento, starring David Hemmings, Daria Nicolodi, Gabriele Lavia, Giuliana Calandra – Stylistic, Italian horror film with a complex plot, gobs of gratuitously choreographed violence and buckets of blood. Features an unidentified killer wearing black leather gloves, serial killings during the Christmas season, an unusual, deeply unsettling method of killing, a spooky children’s song and creepy doll. Deep Red is considered a horror masterpiece. View with caution.
The music to Halloween creates so much buildup and tension in the movie.
I saw “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” on the big screen in the 80s. I love the cinematography of that movie. It has an atmosphere that only that time period could have produced. The story is ok but it’s the look and feel of it I like. Halloween has some of the same feel also.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree. “Massacre” is an eerily beautifully shot film. To me, that is its hallmark. Thanks for reading.
–Pam
LikeLiked by 1 person
They published a book based on the Halloween movie and it so much more scarier then the film. As for Carpenter,I enjoyed “The Fog” and especially “Escape From New York” so much more….those are some amazing pre-Halloween films as well,Texas Chainsaw is a master piece of horror as is Psycho. Great topic Pam!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hmmm…I think Carpenter made three great movies and one’s a masterpiece. Like you, Escape From New York is my favorite Carpenter film, but in terms of impact and significance I think Halloween qualifies as his masterpiece. Always appreciate your input, Michael.
LikeLike
You reference two that stand out for me, after more than 55 years of watching films, and more than a few years writing about them. ‘Assault On Precinct 13’ is little short of a masterpiece, as far as I am concerned. I watched it again just before Christmas, and no matter how many times I see it, I am always gripped by the atmosphere and soundtrack.
‘Peeping Tom’ I have written about on my blog, and it remains a landmark film for me, far more effective that the much ‘glossier’ ‘Psycho’.
But perhaps the most disturbing film I have seen in the genre is ‘When A Stranger Calls’, (1979 original) combining the ‘phone in the house’ idea with the unseen killer, and outstanding performances from Carol Kane and Charles Durning.
Thanks for another very interesting article and theme, Pam.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree with your assessment of “Assault on Precinct 13”. It is an amazing film, made with minuscule money.
I think Peeping Tom is a great film. I can see why you–and many others–think it is superior to Psycho; I don’t. Psycho is one of my all time favorite films, but I can never mention it with out mentioning Michael Powell’s masterpiece.
When a Stranger Calls, terrified me and my friends. Carol Kane and Charles Durning were terrific in it.
–Pam
LikeLiked by 1 person
While I watched them all, I can’t get into horror films very much anymore. I’m scared of my own shadow. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know what you mean, Cindy. Horror is probably my second least favorite genre, right behind romance. There is so much trash in it. It lends itself to low budgets and inexperienced directors, not to mention that many horror films were made purely as a mechanism of the casting couch. That said, I enjoy the thrill ride and catharsis of a good horror movie from time to time.
Thanks for reading.
Oh yeah, I’m ready to collaborate on your Lucky 13 Film Series when you are.
–Pam
LikeLike
Oh, great! Your knee must be better.
Why don’t you pick a topic you are passionate about. I’m guessing noir. What would be the angle? I try to move beyond mere lists of favorites but consider an aspect of he/she/it that could engage people in a conversation…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Right. Let me think about it…And yes, my knee is much better. Thanks.
–Pam
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great post, Pam. I like how you’ve linked the different tropes to the classics in the genre.
LikeLiked by 1 person
He’s certainly a don. Assault on Precinct 13 really blew my mind. I so wanted the vinyl of the soundtrack but it was never released at the time but has now been compiled and released. But it’s like £50. Boo. I’ll just have to keep humming the tune in my head like I’ve done for the last 25 years or so. Anyway. I do like The Thing, Escape From New York and They Live more than I like Halloween. I’m not the biggest slasher fan. He certainly got a great deal there. Love the fact he does his own music. as always a tip top article Pam. And I need to see The Spiral Staircase. Sounds great.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes Mikey, The Spiral Staircase is right up your alley. It’s a fantastic flick. I’d give it a solid 9. Let me know what how it does on the Wolfie meter.
Thanks for reading.
–Pam
LikeLiked by 1 person
Will do Pam. Thanks for putting it on me radar.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great post 🙂 The Slasher film really has come a long way. Speaking of Psycho, Hitchcock wanted to top that later on with something much more extreme entitled Kaleidoscope. It was abandoned for various reasons, but for more information, here is a wikipedia entry on it below:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfred_Hitchcock%27s_unrealized_projects#Frenzy_(a.k.a._Kaleidoscope)_(1964–1967)
Also, speaking of John Carpenter, I did a blog entry on him a while back regarding my favorite films of his. Here is a link to that below as well:
https://cinematiccoffee.com/2018/03/15/my-favorite-john-carpenter-films/
Anyway, keep up the great work as always 🙂
P.S. I am working on a new blog entry with another review of a Robert Altman film and you will be happy to know, it is the one that you call your favorite film of all-time 🙂 Hint hint 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
For me, because of the cultural impact, Halloween is number one on my John Carpenter list. Personally, I think Assault on Precinct 13 is his best, followed by Halloween and then Escape From New York.
I knew Hitchcock was a sick #@%* when I saw Frenzy. It’s a very good movie, I own it, but I’ve only seen it twice. The strangulation scene is porn for the depraved. I’m glad no one would green light Kaleidoscope. To me, when you remove the low budget, the Gonzo style filmmaking and put horror material–especially psychlogical horror–in the hands of A list directors, you have material that can damage the psyche. To me, Psycho, was just the right blend of psychological horror and pulp horror. It got us thinking but it didn’t rub our noses in it.
Looking forward to your Altman post.
–Pam
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pam, plenty of great films on your list. I have seen all but Deep Red. I have been a big admirer of The Spiral Staircase for a long time (Wrote about it a few years back). and of course Psycho. Black Christmas is a minor gem. Really enjoyed this post.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you John. I think you would like Deep Red. It’s very well done. The soundtrack is awesome as is the cinematography. I was stunned to see the very diner that we see those iconic prints of–you know with Elvis, James Dean and Marilyn Monroe. I will search out your review of The Spiral Staircase. I too am a big admirer of the film. In fact, it is by far my favorite film of those I referenced. Horror is not really my thing, but there are gems, no doubt, within the genre.
LikeLike
Halloween is such a great movie! I love the list of movies you made, I only mentioned Psycho in my review of the movie (see below, if interested), but you are right, there were a few precursors (as it is usually the case)!
https://vengonofuoridallefottutepareti.wordpress.com/2019/01/21/john-carpenters-halloween-what-to-say-english/
LikeLiked by 1 person
Whoa! No idea Texas Chainsaw Massacre was from 1974! Thought it was the mid-to-late ’80s! Holy crap!
Halloween was a good idea for the time; the low budget and then the escalating returns are movie magic and movie history. Then, of course, we’ve had to see every take on *Halloween* in this universe and beyond for the 40 years or so afterwards.
Come on, folks, get your own good idea!
I like a couple of Carpenter movies. I think his wrangling complete control PLUS writing the music wasn’t helpful to his cause in many of his efforts. It seems like when others were involved with the writing and/or music and he relinquished control a little bit, the movies were a lot better…..
Interesting read. Thanks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad you enjoyed it. To me, Halloween, is quintessential. It is gorilla film making, with a flair. Like The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Carpenter’s vision works on a minimalist scale which is easier to do on a minimalist budget. To me, that’s where he is most creative. So I would respectfully disagree with you there. I think Assault on Present 13 and Halloween are his best features. Escape from New York, is a film of his that I also really like, but he doesn’t rank on my favorite directors list. Something that I’m sure he’s broken up about. Ha!
LikeLiked by 1 person