Repost: Deathdream (October 21st at Negative Space Gallery)

[DEATHDREAM screens Monday October 21st as part of a "Living Dead" double feature at Negative Space Gallery. Films start at 7:00 pm.]

An appreciation by Bob Ignizio

After the success of CHILDREN SHOULDN’T PLAY WITH DEAD THINGS, director Bob Clark was offered the chance to make another horror film by some Canadian investors.  CHILDREN star Alan Ormsby whipped up a screenplay inspired by a mix of the classic short story “The Monkey's Paw” and the Vietnam War, and as luck would have it some genuinely good actors signed on.  The result was DEATHDREAM (aka DEAD OF NIGHT), a serious but entertaining horror film that still holds up quite well today, despite its budgetary limitations.   

Andy (Richard Backus) is killed in Vietnam.  When his family gets the telegram, however, his mother refuses to accept the death of her son.  Somehow, her belief that Andy is still alive brings him back.  But while Andy’s physical body appears unscathed when he arrives at his family home later that night, something inside of him is missing.  Andy is now cold and sadistic, at one point strangling the family dog in front of a group of children.  His internal decay also begins to manifest itself externally, and the only way to prevent it is to shoot up with fresh human blood.   

The Living Dead invade Negative Space Monday 10/21

31 Days of Halloween 2012: Deathdream

An appreciation by Bob Ignizio

After the success of CHILDREN SHOULDN’T PLAY WITH DEAD THINGS, director Bob Clark was offered the chance to make another horror film by some Canadian investors.  CHILDREN star Alan Ormsby whipped up a screenplay inspired by a mix of the classic short story “The Monkey's Paw” and the Vietnam War, and as luck would have it some genuinely good actors signed on.  The result was DEATHDREAM (aka DEAD OF NIGHT), a serious but entertaining horror film that still holds up quite well today, despite its budgetary limitations.   

Andy (Richard Backus) is killed in Vietnam.  When his family gets the telegram, however, his mother refuses to accept the death of her son.  Somehow, her belief that Andy is still alive brings him back.  But while Andy’s physical body appears unscathed when he arrives at his family home later that night, something inside of him is missing.  Andy is now cold and sadistic, at one point strangling the family dog in front of a group of children.  His internal decay also begins to manifest itself externally, and the only way to prevent it is to shoot up with fresh human blood.