Photo Courtesy of Columbia Pictures- Wikimedia Commons
Fright Night (1985) is an underrated cult classic film which had quite the daring use of special effects for the time. If you have yet to experience this film, you should watch it at your next free moment.
Fright Night (1985), directed by Tom Holland, is an American horror comedy that, according to IMDb, follows Charley Brewster—played by William Ragsdale—who becomes increasingly convinced that his new next-door neighbor, Jerry Dandridge—played by Chris Sarandon—is a vampire. Charley is a huge fan of old horror movies and some could say he watches them too much. When his new neighbor moves in next door, he feels as though he is living a real life horror movie. While his suspicions grow, Charley turns to Peter Vincent, played by Roddy McDowall, the host of his favorite late night show, Fright Night. We later learn Peter is a fraud and does not believe vampires are real.
This film is considered a cult classic. A cult classic film is one that did not do so well commercially or was somewhat ignored by the general public, but still built a small but highly loyal fanbase. Films like The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975), Fight Club (1999), and Donnie Darko (2001) are all considered cult classics for these reasons. If you have ever met a fan of one of these movies, or any cult classic for that matter, you can tell how passionate they are about it. Fans of cult classics are diehard fans of the film, even if it is not the best quality or has poor production. Fright Night (1985) is a cult classic because of its suburban setting mixed with witty humor and revolutionary practical effects. Along with standout performances from both Chris Sarandon and Roddy McDowall, this is considered an ode to classic vampire cinema.
A large component to this movie is the use of its practical effects. While the movie was low-budget, just about one million dollars were put towards the use of practical effects, according to American Cinematographer. Only around 50 effective shots were included in the movie, which was few compared to the 193 shots in Ghostbusters (1984). This article goes on to explain how scenes like the pencil being stabbed through Sarandon’s hand were done. As he grabbed the pencil out of his hand, “the telescoping pencil grew about three inches as he was pulling on it while, at the same time…the other side of his hand was pulled off by a hidden wire so that when he turned his hand back over, all that remained was an empty, smoking hole.” Practical effects were used in this way to portray small details in scenes, but larger effects were also created later in the movie.
When one of Charley’s friends, Evil Ed, played by Stephen Geoffreys, transforms into a wolf, heavy practical effects were used. American Cinematographer explains how Fright Night’s (1985) transformation shot changed film significantly. Special effects artist Steve Johnson suggested a new stylistic approach to show the transformation of body parts when man changes to wolf or vice versa. He recalled pitching “the idea of an asymmetrical transformation where the body parts did not change evenly or at the same rates of speed.” This would allow for a transformation that appeared more grotesque and painful, which was good, because Holland had intended for the audience to feel empathy for Evil Ed. This was a large project to pursue, but the end result was worth it as viewers feel for him and see the horror of his transformation.
One of the most talked about scenes from the movie that involves practical effects is in the attic. When Charley’s girlfriend, Amy Peterson, portrayed by Amanda Bearse, gets bit by Sarandon’s character, she turns around to reveal her petrifying half transformation into a vampire. This is one of the most notable uses of practical effects as it leaves a lasting effect on the viewer. I do not believe the same audience reaction would have occurred if CGI (Computer-Generated Imagery) or VFX (visual effects) were used.
Fright Night (1985) flips the typical vampire movie using wit and paranoia while keeping some of the main rules: vampires still need to be invited inside, daylight is still lethal, and crosses and crucifixes continue to repel them. Through the use of practical effects, the movie shows these key details expertly. While this movie is a cult classic, there is no doubt that the practical effects have held up over the years. Fright Night (1985) is a testament to the power of tangible effects and that the monsters that scare us the most are the ones we can touch.