I feel anthology stories will always be a part of the horror genre for example one of the first was Dead of Night [1945], by the 60s the gain more popularity with such classics as Dr. Terror’s House of Horrors [1965] and Spirits Of the Dead [1968] a trend that extended into the 70s with the fine addition called The House That Dripped Blood [1971], The Vault of Horror [1973], and the classic Trilogy of Terror [1975]. The style of four to five stories and a wrap-around or a bookend story help pack the production, into a ghastly bloodied bow. It really has been an incredible creation that allows both established filmmakers and fresh faces a palette to create nightmarish tales for viewers, such as Creepshow [1982] and Twilight Zone: The Movie [1983]. Anthologies continue to the present day though, the stories expand to six to eight or even more which might be a glutton of ill-desired storytelling, such as Holidays [2016], The Mortuary Collection [2019] or Scare Package [2020]. Nevertheless, when it comes to 1987, often one anthology flick is mentioned Creepshow, it was not the only feature film two other narrative creations existed Chillers and From a Whisper to a Scream, this last one has aged a great deal is only sought by Vincent Price aficionados; noting he had a dislike for the film, but not the director and did only two days of rushed performances, as he stated afterwards from the original idea to finish product was a misrepresentation but contractually he was required to fulfill his duties. Speaking of the director, Jeff Burr (The Werewolf Reborn! [1998]), who was personally asked and impressed Mr. Price to do the wraparound story, he was also the only director (and his debut) for the movie this is a bit uncommon for an anthology, as they try to spread about different flavors and styles for the stories although multiple writers were noted, such as C. Courtney Joyner (Dark House [2009]); Darin Scott, Mike Malone, and Mr. Burr who all working on their first film. The actually movie was filmed over the years 1985 and 1986 but didn’t finish post production until 1987 released by Moviestore Entertainment, known primarily for b-movies and such favorites of the video stores of yesteryear The Outing [1987] and The Cellar [1988], the film received a proper treatment release from Scream Factory on Blu-ray in 2015; however with Vincent Price’s inclusion, the movie has achieved worldwide distribution and helped advance Burr’s career in the horror genre.
The story opens with a reporter named Beth Chandler (Susan Tyrrell (The Boneyard Collection [2008]), Warden (Lawrence Tierney (The Prowler [1981])), and others in attendance to witness the lethal injection execution (rudimentary in every manner) of a serial killer named Katherine (Martine Beswick), has a moan-filled death. Shortly afterwards Beth drives to an old Victorian building in Oldfield, Tennessee to meet Julian White (Vincent Price (Dead Heat [1988]), uncle to Katherine, though refuses another interview but open to discussing the evil wrongdoings of this quaint town, it is here the wraparound gives way through a journal about the horrors and terrors found in this town.
The first story entitled “Stanley” involving a lonely quirky looking Stanley (Clu Gulager (The Return of the Living Dead [1985])) who grudgingly cares for his invalidated sister Eileen (Miriam Byrd-Nethery) yet he has desires for his boss Grace (Megan McFarland) who agrees to have dinner with him; however he attempts afterward and tries for romantic advancements, but harshly rebutted, and ends with him strangling her to death, however prior to her burial he visits the mortuary to engage in necrophilia. Afterwards he begins to have bloodied nightmares involving her, but nine months later in a raged-fueled moment he kills his sister in a gruesome fashion and later that same night someone else comes for a visit, I wonder who…. Then we are return back Julian and Beth who discuss more murders and the nature of them before venturing into the second story called “On the Run.”
Set in the 1950s, where small time crook Jesse Hardwick (Terry Kiser (Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood [1987])) finds himself chased by gangsters, a gunshot penetrating him very badly but slips into the swamp. He later awakens to find himself being cared for by Felder Evans (Harry Caesar (Retribution [1987])) who is quite knowledgeable about the practice of voodoo. As Jesse mends he notices newspaper articles about an escaped slave from the late 1800s and believes Felder is that man, and hence knows the secret for immortality. However, Felder survives the attempted murder by Jesse to steals is life giving formula and consequential dismembers and then burns Jesse, leaving his mutilated body on the side a road, Strangely doctors reassemble in hopes to discover his identity, ugh the agony of what becomes the next horror show…
Once we return to the library, another journal reveals a deeper vicious story this time involving a freak, a lover and one twisted carnival. “Lovecraft’s Traveling Amusements” is the third tale so are given a nod to the famous author (and gives a few nods to Poe too), backdating to 1933 and wicked smile to Tod Browning’s legendary Freaks [1932]; aside from those little tidbits it focuses on a young woman with a strange name Amarrillis Caulfield (Didi Lanier) who falls in love with glass-eating freak at the carnival named Steven (Ron Brooks), this love angers the owner Snakewoman (Rosalind Cash (Death Spa [1987])). Steven wants to flee with Amarrillis but together they find escape is only a fantasy as well as you are what you eat, because carnival life has its own rules…
We return to Julian informing Beth of the original town records about Oldfield’s twisted past, namely its history written in blood on pages of human skin, makes it sound like something born from the infamous Necronomicon. The final story is truly about all the horrors of war, the forgotten torture and the survivability of those left behind, it is set during the Civil War with a Sergeant named Gallen (Cameron Mitchell (The Swarm [1978])) still leading his men, separated from General Grant’s armies each expressing hatred and hostile attitudes to the other side. Unbeknownst to them the war is over, however to Gallen still seeks to enjoy spoils of victory in other means as he and some of his men speak of raping widows. The sole soldier Pike (C. Jay Cox (Nightmare Sisters [1988])) refrains from the atrocity speech but finds a new enemy. They stumble on the land inhabited by a group of orphaned children, they carefully entice them into their web, but soon realize they are to avenge their parent’s deaths. One is stabbed quickly for insubordination Gallen and McBride (Leon Edwards) endures other tortures including mutation in a fleeting moment to attempt to restore Amanda’s (Ashli Bare) eyesight, a gruesome site (no pun intended). Finally the children, led by Andrew (Thomas Nowell (Friday the 13th, Part Vi: Jason Lives [1986])) play butchering games it is reveal live in a real-life Children of the Corn [1984] world viewpoint where adults ‘big people’ are dangerous and a with a sermon a new history of Oldfield is set ablaze to praise its glory.
There’re a few interesting bit roles for two actors first Terence Knox as Burt in the story called Stanley and the big heart, and highly renowned actor Angelo Rossitto, known for his early contributions to film in Freaks [1932] and stage in practically every genre accumulated over 100 film credits till his death in 1991. The stories all have a gothic telling to them and capture a southern theme, the four soldiers story direct a nice job with regard to special makeup effects and the battle-worn uniforms, and using a library to help tell the stories was nice usage of set design as it work to create a mythology, however the ending a tad weak. Often in an anthology tale and one fitted with gothic undertones in the of reap what you sow, we are left feeling unfulfilled, the last few lines of dialogue between the Price and Tyrrell characters seems more as an afterthought rather than supportive of a deeper relationship or reflection of the history this town. Speaking of the town that is another problem with the plot, none of the tales seem to have strong connection the town itself, for example in “Stanley” the factory of modern day holds no reference, perhaps if there was easter-egg of a family name it could have more impact and by the second tales its set in a swamp well that fits more with Louisiana especially that voodoo connection, see the link to city Oldfield does hold itself together; as night the two final stories to any better. One final note, the credits welcome the viewer to visit Oldfield, Tennessee.
Before I dive into my thoughts above this movie there are few things that need to be corrected, a few critics out on the internet have mistakenly stated that this was the final horror film of Vincent Price’s legendary and lengthy career that is incorrect that would be Dead Heat [1988], in addition it was stated that another movie he worked on called The Monster Club [1981] was the last anthology far from it as stated in the opening paragraph of this review. Burr and his friends who lent their limited talents at the time for his first film did the best they could mustered, and with Price on screen it brings together some nice remembrances of his classic macabre flair for storytelling. In fact, for myself, as he weaves these stories from his library it reminded me of when he was the host of PBS show called Mystery compete Edward Gorey drawings and there’s a few dogear bookmarks for fans and students who have countless hours scourging over research texts, for those precious footnotes of wisdom. Alas, it was clear the hourglass of life was whistly fading fast, yet he gives all he can to provide audiences with his ghastly aged voice as the elderly librarian in From a Whisper to a Scream.
TAGLINES:
- Fear…..Times Four
- Welcome to Oldfield, Tennessee. Population: Deadly!
- Welcome to Oldfield. Stop in for a night of pure terror.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091671
IMDb Rating: 5.8/10
Baron’s Rating: 5.5/10
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