Silent Night, Deadly Night
The film opens up on Christmas Eve of 1971, when five-year-old Billy, his little brother Ricky, and parents (Tara Buckman and Charles Dierkop) are on their way to a mental hospital to visit Billy's grandfather (Will Hare). Billy's very anxious about Christmas, but his mother tells him Santa Claus won't come until he's fast asleep. Finally reaching the sanitarium, it seems like Billy's grandfather hasn't gotten any better; he still won't say a word. When Billy's parents leave him alone with his grandfather for a minute, his grandfather suddenly grabs Billy and tells him what Santa really does, obviously trying to scare him. After the horrible story, Billy believes Santa punishes those who are naughty and only brings toys to good boys and girls.
Billy, very frightened that night, falls asleep on their way back home, but is awakened when his parents pull over to help a stranded man dressed up as Santa (Geoff Hansen), who's earlier robbery/murder is unknown to the parents. When the parents stop, the man pulls out a gun, prompting them to drive away, but they swerve off the road, Billy's father shot dead. Billy has already escaped, hiding behind some shrubbery in the cold night. As he watches, Billy's mother is killed, the man leaving Billy and Ricky for dead.
Three years later, Billy and Ricky are living in a Catholic orphanage run by strict Mother Superior (Lilyan Chauvin). Billy constantly gets in trouble, which causes him to be punished by Mother Superior, who's spankings are very harsh. Billy is very traumatized by his parents' death and still fears Santa Claus.
Ten years pass and the orphanage gets now-grown-up Billy (Robert Brian Wilson) a job at the local toystore, where he's asked to dress up as Santa for Christmas time! Billy, desperately trying to get over his fear of Santa, dons the suit, but finally snaps, going on a brutal rampage through the small town, killing any sinners he spots. What will stop Billy and his rage on what becomes one of the scariest nights of the year?
This holiday slasher was very controversial during its release, which was dropped by Columbia/Tristar and picked up by an independent distributor. Many protested against this movie for its portrayal of Santa Claus as a deranged killer, along with the not-so-favorable depiction of a Catholic orphanage. This wasn't the first killer Santa Claus movie, but I happen to think it's one of the better.
Charles E. Sellier, Jr., who had only done Disney films up to the point, actually directed this 1984 horror movie! The U.S.A./I.V.E. Home Video release contains previously unreleased footage, despite its once bad reputation. Four sequels to date have followed, all fairly good compared to the original.
This one really didn't scare me, but is pretty entertaining, especially the appearance of scream queen Linnea Quigley, who's character, Denise, is impaled on deer antlers while topless! That is definitely my favorite death scene from this film! The effects person had Quigley straddle a metal object strategically placed in her underwear to balance her on the antlers, but it was still a big struggle for her to keep from falling. Basically, Linnea's entire part has her without a top, despite the cold spell in Utah, Colorado, where they were filming.
The deranged, killer Santa Claus uses an array of weapons, including axe, bow and arrow, the occasional knife, and even Christmas lights! The gore's pretty realistic, which will please any horror fan. The film's killer only knocking off wrongdoers reminds me of the Sleepaway Camp series. The film's video cover art is pretty creepy (shown above) and compares it to other films, such as Halloween, Friday the 13th, and A Nightmare on Elm Street. Definitely recommended, but watch something a little more cheerful around Christmas! Also known as Slayride.
