Before, I dive too far into this movie I need to clarify an important aspect this film – it is not a remake nor has any association with the film of the same name Frightmare from 1974 that movie which was a horror/comedy movie directed by Pete Walker. I wanted to stress this because while this film also known as primer did go under the name the Horror Star in fact, was released in the United States’ theatrical market circuit under that title until it went to video, and switched names to Frightmare so there’s a little confusion. Let’s be honest, the film from 1974 is a British shocker film and for a lot of people is a little bit more fun to say the least there’s a lot of hideous crimes that occur in that flick while this one is more of a sincere effort being put forth and the heart of it is definitely in the right place as it gives a loving tribute to the horror cinema and pushed forth ghoulish intents, but doesn’t sustain true tension throughout the entire feature. Norman Thaddeus Vane (Midnight [1988]) served as both writer and director of this campy flick which was originally intended for Christopher Lee to star in but when he passed on the movie Ferdy Mayne (Howling II [1985]) took over the lead role in the film. In addition, this movie also shares similarities to Fade to Black the Vernon Zimmerman film from 1980; ideally though Norman’s flick creates atmospheric moments with old school horrors that will also satisfy a body count driven to teen viewers. Now, I often inform the readers of the distribution, well that’s a tad hard to do, for example Video form from Finland released a VHS copy in 1980 (which predates some other sources from one year) and Saturn International received credit for the United States theatrical distribution in 1983, a Blu-ray come from Vinegar Syndrome in 2015. What a journey!
The film incorporates quite a few genres of cinema into it yes it is a horror movie but then switches over to incorporate some comedy and then again to a crime, mystery with a police investigation occurring with a bit of occultism and even a haunted house theme sounds like a buffet this all could be due to the fact that once they lost Lee for the film they were in a quandary of what to expect from the production. Let’s explore these murky depths to see what unfolded in this movie. We open with an egotistical horror legend Conrad Radzoff (Ferdinand “Ferdy” Mayne) on a film set portraying his iconic vampire character for a young director his ego is very present in the moment and becomes quite frustrated with the entire scene of a measly commercial shoot rendering it a complete mess leading the two to settle their differences in a vicious manner. A Horror Society film appreciation group at a university has welcomed the actor Conrad to accept an award and to have a fitting retrospective of his career however before he can have this honor bestowed upon him he suffers a heart attack on stage. He’s revived by Meg (Jennifer Starrett) and then begins to prepare for the final curtain but first a moment to finish off director friend Wolfgang (Leon Askin (Doctor Death [1973])). Soon after he passes and his funeral is considered a grand affair so much that his tomb is one of spectacular measures it even has an everlasting neon star above the doorway however everything is not as it seems there are some secrets that he has taken to the grave but knowingly wants to share with others.
Although, the Horror Society members Saint (Luca Bercovici), Meg (Jennifer Starrett), Stu (Jeffery Combs (Re-Animator [1985])), Oscar (Alan Stock), Eve (Carlene Olson), and Bobo (Scott Thomson); has a different game plan for their hero they decide to break into his tomb and recover his body. Inside the mausoleum they are greeted by a video of Conrad speaking to his guests as if he knew that people would be coming to see him, they’re there to steal his body brought it back to a gothic mansion both their home and where he filmed some flicks. One wonders how they can afford such a building while being university students a question that will never get answered so do not dwell on it; they engage in drunken party to celebrate guest before storing him away in the attic like sort of decoration.
medium Rohmer (Nita Talbot) and Etta (Barbara Pilavin) (Left and Right)
A doubting detective (Chuck Mitchell) enters into the story as it strives for a lame mystery though we know all the pieces already, while Radzoff’s Etta (Barbara Pilavin) and medium Rohmer (Nita Talbot) use the divine spirit world to resurrect him. In the end some of the deaths are quite extreme, from a ripped-out tongue to a cremation to even stuff actual money into one’s mouth (yuck) forced suffocation. All of it ending with a strange fiery conclusion from the realm of the afterlife somehow transmitted via a video screen to audience in sort breakage of the fourth wall of acting.
Etta (Barbara Pilavin) with a mouthful of real money
Cinematographer Joel King originally wanted to shoot the film in black and white with only color being represented in red for blood now this was not an original concept this dates back to the film The Tingler from 1959 that did that very same action now King did almost find himself being fired from the production on the first week of shooting this was because he was taking far too long on very low budget film to light the scenes he was going for a creative dramatic yet gothic lighting technique with clouds of smoke to give for atmospheric effect. He didn’t understand the target audience for this film was going to be the average teenager market once that craved a body count more than a full complete in depth storyline in fact it was actually Joe King’s second time in his career that he was serving as a cinematographer, the first time was on the film Just Before Dawn in 1981. Vane and King worked in harmony for the killing spree which allowed them to accelerate in both a directorial style and creating a chiller mood however the story does lack the true punch to really hook in the audience for a terror-filled suspenseful ride. He made sure to rely on his crew such as David Del Valle and Forrest J. Ackerman to provide various memorabilia from horror movies including some original poster art. The word ‘weird’ is heavily associated with this film, with the absence of logic, and some set creations namely the crypt for Radzoff, although Mayne owns the lead, by a hammy performance, that blends laughable sinister deviant behavior and comedic moments that perhaps weren’t directly intended.
Dining Table
There’s an interesting reference in this movie from old Hollywood history that involves Errol Flynn and John Barrymore who are very good friends and also huge pranksters so when John Barrymore passed away in 1942, Flynn and a few friends went to the mortuary and stole John Barrymore’s corpse from the morgue for one final prank which was to basically smuggle his corpse out of the building set them upright with a whiskey and have him sit in for some poker.
A video spoken frm Hell
There are two aspects that one can take away from this film first, while it does entertain the average viewer it is a little of a letdown there are some things that just don’t work that well together and makes you long for Cushing, Price, Carradine, Lugosi, or Lee that type of actor would have probably carried the movie further especially because of their countless horror works that is not to take away from Ferdy’s just that those actors had a very macabre background. In addition, the other takeaway is how the clichés of old Hollywood worked the kind of moral corruption of the power, the influence and also of course the acting business itself where the newcomer gains the media’s attention and the older actor becomes an overlook treasure. While it nods to rabid and extreme passion from the fans, some who don’t realize or care about the decency of death, and wish to enjoy their spoils, though in the end everyone pays a price for admission. Oh, horror fans of the genre, take some time to venture down memory lane with this odd film, and witness clips of Uncle Was a Vampire [1959] which stared the legendary Lee.
TAGLINES:
- There is no escape, not even death…
- Experience Terror As Cold As The Grave
- The ultimate nightmare.
- To the limit…
- His encore performance was murder!
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0083973/
IMDb Rating: 4.6/10
Baron’s Rating: 4.5/10