SCORETOBER!!! Day 24 FRIGHT NIGHT!!!

Day 24

Fright Night

Well this was one I hadn’t popped in for a while, and definitely one I’ve been wanting to chat about with my friend The Vern, well more specifically the sequel because oh boy are there some stories there.

This one however?

ALSO has a ton of stories. But they are atleast fun stories, unless you look at some of the actors lives after. Then maybe it’s. Well anyway.

When you tell a director you can’t have a gay vampire, but you decide to do it anyway just subtly, and you want to have gay characters but your told no, so you do it anyway just subtly, and you wanna throw in some comedy in, which they tell you I don’t know, so you do it anyway.

Welcome to Fright Night.

It’s a fun little ride down 1985, A film as memorable as its poster, and trust me it is every bit it as memorable. The remake? A lot less so. The sequel to the remake? A straight up rip off poster to a far superior hard to obtain film.

Let’s not waste any more time because it has already been too damn long since I’ve seen this, and I have a kick ass score AND soundtrack waiting for me here so, lets dig in.

The Movie

Awooo! Mother truckers!

We got a full moon and wolf’s howl setting us off on the path to goodness, and oh I do mean goodness. We have a classic cast, and right now we’re about to meet our two first characters and the horniest of horny. At least one part of them is. They’re also smooching while doing th ultimate 80’s Friday night party. Hanging out in bed watching a creature feature show playing classic vampire films. More specifically a terribly made funny as hell vampire movie with the worst kissing effects ever. It’s hilarious however we are made to listen to actual and better kissing noises as our two main horndogs take up the scene, Charley Brewster(William Ragsdale) and Amy Peterson(Amanda Bearse).

Now, this is the 80’s, which means things are about to get really awkward. As the Peter Vincent hosted show Fright Night plays a Peter Vincent film, Blood Castle, our couple is making out and Charlie is skipping second base heading straight into third. Or at least attempting to do so. But Amy politely tells him no, she’s a little unsure and he’s a little eager. She finds an out though as Peter Vincent takes to the screen and begins chatting about his classic film. It’s worth noting now before anything else. I love Peter Vincent, and he is played by an even more remarkably awesome man, Roddy McDowall. He’s really part of the life force in this film that makes it play so well.

Amy is trying to keep Charley from rounding second and slamming into third so she points out as I said that Peter Vincent is on tv. “So what”, Charley returns to awkward fumbling and since he can’t slide into third, he’ll just aggressively try for second again. Amy is getting a little desperate here, “But you love Peter Vincent.”, Charley considers this for a while, debated it. Then decides the logical way to proceed. Compliment your girlfriend and she’ll obviously open the gates to her temple. “But I love you more!.”, her face tells us she knows who’s doing the talking and thinking for Charley in this moment so she politely pushes him back.

As he doesn’t get the message still, she finally shouts at him to stop! Fighting free of him and standing up. Charley, has crossed a line. He was given several polite attempts to stop his actions, and she now has the right to taser his balls if she so chooses. However this was a different time. Which means she is just going to explain to Charley that she’s just not sure. So Charley being a good boyfriend apologizes and tells her it’s cool, they can wait and just enjoy the movie.

Actually no. Charley instead lets out his frustrations, they’ve been dating forever, and they’ve never gone all the way! She acts like she wants to, then they don’t and its just frusting him. When your girlfriend isn’t sure she wants to have sex, just guilt her into it, that’s how you win them over. Apparently?

Well, she feels a bit bad, she doesn’t want to be a tease, and she does, want to go further. She’s just not sure and shy. So she unfortunately forgives Charley, he’s trying to be a bit calmer. So she gives him a smooch. Which she then deepens. And the kiss turns into mashing lips grinding into each other. She’s making a choice, and she wants her man to know that she is ready to get down and make mac and cheese noises in bed between them.

Charley is confused by this sudden turn but he’s ready to accept this change in behavior and not question a damn thing. “Charley, lets do it in bed”, she’s moving to the bed, stripping her hot pink top off, sitting in bed in her bra. Becoming more and more self conscious of herself sitting there shirtless.

Meanwhile Charley about to live out his hopes and dreams of telling his friends he finally knows what the song WAP is all about, finds himself distracted by his new neighbors. He sees two finely dressed men, carrying a very fashionable coffin. He has to make sure that’s what he THINKS it is at least. So as his girlfriend sits on the bed waiting to be ravaged, her boyfriend is grabbing binoculars to gaze out his window down at the two well dressed men carrying a fancy coffin. She covers herself up with her top and tries enticing his attention back to her for some look to inspire confidence. “Charley…I’m ready.”, But Charley is not available.  He tries telling his girlfriend exactly what he sees, She looks from him to the television set and, unfortunately for Charley who actually does see two men carrying a coffin. On the television Blood Castle has reached a scene with several men on a Moor carrying a coffin. So she thinks he’s messing around.

Here she is, deciding to give in to her horned up boyfriends demand for some WAP, and he’s turned his boner of mahogany wood, into a semi watching two men up to no good. So she’s done, he blew it, that WAP is now dry sandpaper and she is packing her tits in and headed home.

Oh hey, that finally got his attention!

So he tries convincing her of what it is he saw, but now she wants to discuss with him exactly what he got mad at her at. Here he is telling her they don’t do enough or go far enough, so when she decides to do so, he loses interest and makes her feel like crap. So he can go warm up a jar of peanut butter and stuff it between his mattress and box spring.

What an awkward time for your mom to announce herself letting you and your partner know that she’s present, in her home, and awake fully aware of the no bustin goin on upstairs. She even ask politely if they were having a lovers spat. Informing them that most divorces stem from problems in the bedroom. Which prompts Charley to thankfully remind his mom that they are in High School. But mama don’t care. She can see they love each other, or as the kids today say UwU.

Well Amy is very polite to his mom and she tries some polite conversation with her before deciding she had best head home. So she says goodnight to Charleys mom and waits for Charley to tell her goodnight.

Charley is focused on the well dressed men vanishing into their basement with the fancy coffin. His mom even has to tell him to salvage this dry sponge and give it a little faucet drip. But Charley’s mind is on manly vampires so he murmurs out “Good night.”

Well, mom tried and gives Amy a look as if to say “That boy dumb as hell, I’m sorry girl.” She politely looks to his mom giving her an “I know he is, but I love his dumb ass.” Look, then gives Charley just ONE. MORE. CHANCE! To bring peace to this couples fight, so they can at least sleep alright knowing the other ain’t mad, and they’ll at least be cool to hold hands tomorrow.

But Charley already fucked up, and he is no longer under dick magic. So she peaces out and slams the door behind her.

Does Charley tell his mother at least what he saw? No. He doesn’t want to worry her. Best to let her think he’s an asshole instead of worried about the undead moving in next door.

I mean hell I’ve messed up in High School, and my mom called me out on that too. She was doing laundry and pulled me aside wanting to know if I was okay and what’s goin on with me, because “I don’t get it son, you had a girlfriend who didn’t care about you, then you had one that would do anything for you, and you just acted uninterested.”, and I told her yeah I know, I messed up. But I couldn’t correct that ship so, It was what it was. I still should’ve tried and I know that. But. We’re all dumb shits in High School.

Charley is just a confused horny dipshit. With a very forgiving girlfriend.

As he goes to school the next day, we get to meet his best friend with the greatest name, and some of fun one liners for the film. Evil Ed(Stephen Geoffreys), Evil Ed is a weird punk that doesn’t really fit in too well at school and he loves embracing that. He’s a little bit punk, and a little bit horror, and a little extra. He’s fun, and Charley is the one friend who gets him. As the two hang out and discuss their upcoming test for the day, Amy makes a point to walk between the two boys and shoulder check her boyfriend out of her way, since kneeing him in the dick could get her suspended, if someone turned snitch at least.

Charley. Begins to understand, that he done fucked up. And he must make right what he put wrong, if ever he wishes to view her thong.

Well, more like high waisted panties but lets not get sidetracked here.

So he buddies up to her at lunch time, trying to be mature and explain that he really is sorry. He knows he acted like a jerk. Both in his attempt to push her into going all the way to slam town, and also when he decided to check out two guys outside his window instead of his girlfriend. But also he was rude to her, he could’ve called her, walked up to her before classes started. Anything. So. He’s sorry.

Well Charley, it’s a start. And she’s willing to extend the hand of forgiveness. Telling him how she too was sorry, and maybe she was a little harsh but they both can get past this and. And Charley is gone. Because the news on TV, which their school having a tv? That’s…lucky ass bastards.

He’s hearing the news talk about another murder victim, and Evil Ed begins telling him how that’s now two. TWO victims in their town.

Amy has put up with a lot, and just as her road crew was about to flip the switch back on the “Now Entering Booty Town” sign, the city inspector says shut it down and so it is. She gets up, takes another kids chili fries with mustard, and slams it into Charley’s face.

Fuck this school. They got lockers for everyone, Televisions in the lunch room, AND chili fries? We had a Taco bell at our school. Keyword. HAD. Those bastards moved out and the best thing we had to look forward to? Was a Powerade machine that was set colder than it should be, so every drink was filled with frost…and these bitches get chili fries. Swear I was born in the wrong time.

ANYWAY….

So Charley, now wearing some other guys lunch, prompts Evil Ed to give us the best quote of the movie, “You’re so COOL Brewster!” and his laugh, man that guys laugh. Love it.

Well as Charley is forever shunned, and Amy hopefully writes on the girls bathroom stalls that he has a micro penis. It’s time to head home, Charley on his way home though runs into a very lovely woman who…I can’t say what she is. I don’t want to say prostitute? But I also don’t want to say escort. Model?

He spots a beautiful blonde in a very revealing top getting out of a taxi cab and making her way into the neighbors house. Charley is glad he still manages a boner, and then remembers his girlfriend will never touch his dick, so life is good.

As he gets into his home and spies on the neighbors, he ask his mom if she’s heard anything about them, or saw them while she was out shopping. Mom says no she hadn’t, but she did see them, and she wondered if they were gay.

Her son readily assures his mom that, they are indeed totally not gay. But I dare you to tell me otherwise. But his mom does seem interested to know just how her boy knows so surely they aren’t, and perhaps this means mama could make friends. Well before that image can pollute Charley’s mind, he heads upstairs to study for his math test. His mom is just as shocked as mine was at the idea her son would actually study.

But study the boy does. He’s even using an old paper printing calculator we used to have in the house for doing taxes and balancing checkbooks. Oh life skills, how useless you now are.

Thankfully Charley is distracted from his math work. But also in a super pervy way. He notices the beautiful woman from earlier, and see’s her with her top off and soon her bra as well. His not gay neighbor is getting a hell of a lot further than he sure as hell has. As Charley realizes how much of a beta he is, and pervs on the lady as his neighbor gets sexy with her. The man next door notices Charley watching smirks and, with a long clawed finger he closes the blinds. This has, rightfully freaked Charley out. But its just the start of his night. As time passes he hears a scream come from the house next door.  He rushes and looks just in time to see his neighbors male companion loading a large body like shape into the back of his car. Well now this is too much. He’s rushing outside and he’s watching these two with the body from his bushes. Which would raise his stealth level up to at least 60. If not for the fact his mother was woken up by his loud exit from the house. She heads out in her robe and begins calling out to her son. Immediately the neighbors take notice and our truly wonderful not gay, but bi vampire, spots Charley hiding. He playfully tosses an apple to Charley and begins walking over tauntingly. Charley loses his shit and bolts back into the house. Much to the amusement of the two men.

Charley is not sure what to do with this information now. He was almost spotted, he could’ve been killed. But he’s safe for now.

As the morning comes and Amy arrives to check on Charley, giving him another chance to make up with her. Charley is trying to explain what he saw. His mom makes him a cup of hot cocoa and idly grumbles about the marshmallows not fully being melted, giving another great line from this movie, “Mom I don’t need hot cocoa, I didn’t have a nightmare!”, no one cares to listen to poor Charley and while his mother can’t get over her son sounding like he’s on drugs or dealing with him and his girlfriend fighting. Amy is no better unfortunately. She smiles a bit as she considers the possibility, and even ask aloud of Charley, if he possibly made all that stuff up to try and get her back with him.

It's cute, and she’s practically flagging Charley to the path of redemption and butt hugs. But Charley is not going for it. Instead he’s convinced vampires are the priority here. So he’s leaving these simple women folk, and doing the responsible thing. He’s headed for the police, and he’s reporting a murder.

Which he does! Bless his heart.

He goes to the police, tells them he saw the missing girl on the news murdered by his neighbor. So the detective goes with Charley over to the house, where they are greeted by the vampires roommate, Billy Cole(Jonathan Stark) who more than happily greets the detective and Charley. Bringing the two into their home. Informing the pair that he and his roommate are there restoring the house. That they did not see any woman in the neighborhood, they were the only two inside that house all night and worked on the house. But Charley is not giving up. He tells the detective to look in their basement, if they do? They’ll find a coffin.

Well. He nearly had the police on his side. They tend to look at you funny if you mention things like ‘hey my neighbors are killing people. They buried the bodies in the yard, oh and they have a coffin in the basement.” It just doesn’t carry as well as the first two. I mean this is a time when serial killers were a thing and they could’ve checked the basement, just yeah. Or maybe the detective knows better and decides he wants to reach retirement. He doesn’t want to lose his ass to a damn vampire.

That’s a better choice. We’ll go with that.

So Charley is warned by the police now, keep your vampire loving cracker ass at home and don’t call in fake murders.

Well Charley is officially out of options here, and he’s also poking a bear. Which I think he now knows. Given this direct move of his, has for sure put him on their watch list, and worse yet, night is quickly approaching. So Charley begins nailing his window shut. He knows from Peter Vincent vampire films that, as we do. A vampire needs permission to enter your home, and if he doesn’t give permission they are safe, more so sealing his room, and asking Evil Ed for a cross are now his best options for protection. Just stay in the house, lock it up and all should be fine.

It would be, if not for the fact his mom has invited their neighbor over to introduce himself properly. They’ve been chatting about Charley a bit, and at last we have a name for this wonderfully handsome well dressed man, Jerry Dandrige, played by the legend himself, and a man I shared an elevator with, Chris Sarandon.

Also let It be known, we have a vampire named Jerry. Which is a rarity itself, and I don’t know why it amuses me but hey. It’s funny.

He even jokes with Charley about his visit, “What’s the matter, Charley? Afraid I’d never come over without being invited first? You’re right. You’re quite right. Of course, uh…now that I have been made welcome, I’ll probably drop by quite a bit. In fact, anytime I feel like it.” He smiles over to Charley before staring back, the last few words left to linger in the air as an open threat. His mom is absolutely charmed of course and she should be. Jerry is a charming MF. Sure he kills hookers and people next door but, the guy seems nice otherwise. Just not when he needs a snickers break.

Having made his introduction he excuses himself and leaves for the night.

Only to reappear in their home once mom is asleep. Charley walks around the house checking his neighbors, All while Jerry secures the moms door and quietly walks into Charley’s room, waiting for him. Which doesn’t take long, and as Charley stares out the window hoping to glimpse his vampire neighbor. He soon realizes he isn’t alone, and turns around just in time to have his neighbor wrap a hand around his throat and pin him to the wall. Prompting one of the better vampire encounters I’ve enjoyed in a movie, for a long time.

“Do you realize how much trouble you’ve caused me? Spying on me. Almost disturbing my sleep this afternoon. Telling policemen about me! You deserve to die, boy. Of course. I could give you something I don’t have. A choice. Forget about me, Charley. Forget about me, and I’ll forget about you. What do you say, Charley?”

Honestly it’s a fair approach, and its actually said with some sincerity. He really wants to be left alone, he doesn’t want to go on a killing spree, and especially blow his cover by killing his neighbors. But he also wants to give him a chance to walk away from this and not die. Yes he’s a vampire, but how he plays it through the film. He’s just a different breed. He really does try to leave a lot up to human choice, and spare people suffering.

Charley however, is not accepting this. For some reason. He reaches out and picks up the plastic cross Evil Ed gave him, trying to point it at Jerry. Who gives a disapproving frown “fool…” And with that Jerry lifts Charley up and begins to single handedly open the nailed down window that Charley hammered shut earlier. He’s going to place Charley under the nails! But Charley grabs the next best thing to a cross. He picks up a wooden pencil and stabs Jerry in the hand. Causing him to let go of him and immediately howl out in pain. He even changes shape in front of Charley. Looking less dapper and handsome, and more like the master from Salem’s Lot. Right down to the animalistic eyes.

Jerry is going to kill Charley, but they both hear his mom escaping her room and hearing the noise, Jerry growls at Charley and takes flight over back to his home through the window.

Charley calms his mother, telling her he was just having another nightmare so she should go back to sleep. As his mom grumbles about working the night shift and needing more sleep, shutting her door. Charley returns to his room and tries to relax. Only to have his phone ring, answering it. It’s of course Jerry, Who’s having Billy tend to his wounded hand. He smiles and tells Charley that he destroyed his car outside, and tomorrow night? He is going to kill Charley, and his mouther. So you know. Sleep on that and enjoy your last day alive I guess.

So what can Charley do?

The only thing a teenager in need of help can do. As he watches television, just in time for the Fright Night show with Peter Vincent. Who discusses his career as the GREAT vampire hunter. That no one believes in vampires now. But he does! Because he has faced them, and always won! Charley, has found his savior. Lord have mercy.

So the very first thing Charley will do, on his last day alive. Is visit the studio where Fright Night the show is filmed. He meets Peter Vincent, on his way to the parking lot. Only to learn from him that his show has been cancelled, “I have just been fired because nobody wants to see vampire killers anymore, or vampires either. Apparently, all they want to see are demented madmen running around in ski-mask, hacking up young virgins”. How unfortunately right you are Mr. Vincent. But Charley tells him he believes in vampires! This touches Peter, and he tells Charley how he wishes there were only more like him so his show would’ve lasted longer. He takes it as a sincere compliment, until Charley ruins it by showing his craziness and informs Peter that he has a vampire living next door to him, “In fact, I have one living next door to me, would you help me kill him?”

Charley is precious, what some would call, a sweet summer child.

Well Peter Vincent has faced enough monsters and crazy beings, to know Charley is not stable, so he’s getting the hell out of the studio lot, and away from the ravings of poor Charley.

It looks like he’s left with little alternative but to go home, rethink his life, and find new ways to further upset his girlfriend as he won’t be seeing her after tonight.

Meanwhile, Evil Ed spots Amy on the most mid 80’s thing I can remember seeing even my own mom on, A vespa. The two are headed over to Peters home to check on their buddy and boyfriend. Charley is…in a dark place.

It’s funny as hell, but the two walk into Charley’s room with smiles to greet their troubled friend. Only to find his room has been changed into a gothic church. He’s sat on his bed, sharpening wooden post into stakes, and making crosses. His room is covered in hanging ropes of garlic. Crucifixes, statues of the virgin Mary, and candles. Candles everywhere. Enough candles to make any goth worth their hot topic socks cream a little at the sheer volume of candles in this absolute fire hazard.

Needless to say they believe their friend is in really desperate need of getting out, and some help. But Charley is preparing for his last night on earth. He isn’t going quietly he tells them. He is planning on driving a steak through the heart of his neighbor, if he can manage.

That being said, when you can manage to convince someone with the name Evil Ed, that you are in serious need of help? You might need to consider it.

So to help their friend and stop him from marching over to the house of death to slay his neighbor. They ask him to let them go talk to Peter Vincent, which he already has! To no avail. But they plead with him to let them do so. Just to see if maybe they can convince him to help with the vampire problem. So Charley relents and figures why not. At least he will still see his friends before he dies.

Now, with a mission to save their boyfriend, and a clear goal as to achieving this. They take off for the home of Peter Vincent, which good luck tracking a tv star to their home now, rather no. Don’t. There is a reason they are difficult to find.

Unless you pay money online for a celebrity address book, but that is neither here, nor there.

Our duo manage to catch Peter at home, which let’s be honest with his show canceled and prospects slim, he’s got nowhere else to go. Evil Ed is a huge fan of his and he’s more than happy to meet the man, however Amy is pretty cool with him, but she’s mainly here for Charley. Not so much to gush over the guy she has to listen to while her and her boyfriend makeout. Trust me, its awkward. He agrees to listen to these two discuss their reason for being in his home, and their plea for help. They want him to come see their friend Charley and help him convince himself that vampires aren’t real, and you know, not killing his neighbor. Peter Vincent is a man of taste, and stature, so he kindly turns down the offer as he tells them he has been offered a lead role in a major motion picture. Amy blurts out that she has money and will pay him. He ask immediately how much and she tells him she has a bond 500 bucks. Without hesitation he answers “I’ll take it”, and suddenly he’s all smiles and ready to be their buddy! I love the damn scene so much and the humor in this film is just great. Roddy McDowall is perfect in this movie and this is why he brings life to the film.

Evil Ed shares his plan for helping Charley. He had the idea, from one of Peter’s films, “Orgy of the Damned”. That maybe he could conduct some sort of test in the neighbors home proving him to be a human and not a vampire. If he managed that, then Charley should be fine. Well now caring about Charley and his well being, as well as the delivery of the 500 bucks. He’s all in. He’s even happy to hear someone bring up a plot from one of his favorite roles, and he even shares with them that he still kept his original prop from he film, as he seems to have done EVERY one of his films as his home is a beautiful museum dedicated to his life in film.

So the plan is set. Our group has their quest log updated, and all that remains for them. Is to contact Jerry and Billy to keep them in the loop.

It’s awesome, in short.

The group waits outside for the arrival of Peter, who does so in style. Literally the man is dressed in character. Head to toe in his absolute best. Charley is beside himself with the fact they have the famous vampire killer on his side, armed with holy water. Which Peter and Amy called Jerry ahead and told him would be regular tap water and all he’d have to do is drink. Why not crosses? Well he tells them he’s a born again Christian and that he believes using the crosses this way would be sacrilegious. So Peter brings just the water, no stakes, or crosses or garlic. Entering Jerry’s home they are greeted by Billy at the door, and soon Jerry himself. Who admits to being a huge fan of Peter’s films, finding them to be amusing. Of course a vampire would.

It's a tense fun moment as the group watches Peter Vincent act and question their polite host. But Charley is the one on a death watch here, so he’s showing little patience. However, Jerry is also showing some interest now in the group. More specifically Charley’s girlfriend. For a brief moment when Charley first entered the home with the Detective, he noticed a painting which resembled Amy, it would appear Jerry feels she bares an incredibly striking resemblance as well to the woman in the painting. Of course this upsets Charley, the man who promised to kill him is now openly going to cuck him and steal his girl. Which he could do trust me. Chris Sarandon is a handsome AF vampire.

Well he’s played with the food long enough by sharing details of Charley’s attempts to prove him a vampire in the past and call the cops on him. So he takes Peter’s offered vile of holy water and drinks it. Charley is dumbstruck as he thought for sure the man would burst into flames. Peter of course knowing it wasn’t real turns to Charley, announces Jerry isn’t a vampire, champagne and celebrations for all. Time to exit with his paycheck. But Charley is still not convinced, he brought a crucifix with him and tells Peter to have Jerry hold THAT! But Peter considers that incredibly rude, especially of a man who’s been an absolute gentleman of a host letting them into his home.

Charley only relents. Only. Once Jerry makes the most politely vailed threat toward Charley, that he should really stop with all of this, unless he wants to hurt his friends, or see them be hurt, badly. Charley may be dumb as hell when it comes to bedroom fumblings and reading women. But he knows enough to realize this man just threatened to kill his friends and Peter if he didn’t stop. So he complies. Admitting he knows Jerry is not a vampire. That he will leave him alone and never bother him again.

Which I mean hell that’s all he wanted in the first place!

With things now resolved, and everyone friends. They begin saying farewell to one another, Peter meanwhile feels the need for a smokey treat and pulls out his little mirrored cigarette case. Only his craving for nicotine goes right the hell out the window the moment he sees Jerry isn’t casting a reflection in his mirror. He freaks out dropping the once priceless film prop. Jerry and the others ask if he’s fine and he assures them very non convincingly that he is totally fine and just would like to get the hell out of the house. So the group departs and Charley in on Peter like white on rice. He knows something freaked him out in there and he wants to know what. Peter is tight lipped but Charley feels he’s finally gaining ground in this losing battle so he digs in deeper. Finally Peter admits that yes he saw something. That Jerry didn’t cast a reflection

With that Peter is off the hell away from whatever nightmare this is and back to his apartment. While Charley feels vindicated, but now also back on high alert. His friends however are unphased. They just want their friend back and feeling better instead of, you know. Waiting to be murdered by a vampire who asked him to just forget about him and the two live in peace.

Well everyone needs to wonder back home. So Charley, Amy and Eddie are headed that way. Charley feels because Amy is with them, they should escort her home first. Seeing as they are two capable men who can protect her from the undead. Amy lets this slide as she feels her semi boyfriend has already had a lot on his plate. She’ll just bring it back to his attention at a more appropriate time.

But Evil Ed wants to take a shortcut. Which Charley forbids. It’s after all a dark alley and that’s prime vampire hunting turf. Well Ed says nuts to that and heads there anyway. Immediately screaming for help and immediately reassured in his awesome friends as they both came running immediately to check on him. Even if it was a prank. Which Amy appreciated, but Charley however did not. He’s still got a crucifix up his bum about this vampire stuff. So Eddie goes his own way and the group once more is separated in our movies. Which you already know how that works out so lets cut to the chase.

A literal chase. Ha! Of COURSE Eddie runs into Jerry in the Alleyway and runs from him. He’s a goddamn vampire! Unfortunately, Eddy has no real sense of direction and ends up stuck in a dead end. No not literally. Though technically yes.

But it is.

Both metaphorically and, nevermind

So he’s in a dead end, and Jerry enters into the form of mist before reappearing behind Ed, still being very polite.

He scares the hell out of Ed who crumbles to the floor in fear, and he cast a sympathetic gaze down to the scared teen, “Hello, Edward. You don't have to be afraid of me. I know what it's like being different. Only they won't pick on you anymore... or beat you up. I'll see to that. All you have to do is take my hand. Go on, Edward. Take my hand!”, and with that offer, Eddie does just that, he takes Jerry’s claws elongated fingers in hand and Jerry helps him to his feet, embracing him and soon our two remaining party members hear their friend cry out in actual pain. Assuming he was only joking again.

It's actually a sad scene the deeper you get into it, and it’s a scene the director absolutely used AND Chris was aware of how to play it off as, a scene where Jerry knew Eddie was gay, and bullied for it at his school for being ‘different’, He was being compassionate toward him and reaching out not just because the kid was weird and into horror films. The director had a particular vision for this film, but was told not to take it there. But he did anyway. And good for him. When you know more of the story behind the film and its original origins it does make for a better experience.

Unlike poor Eddie’s experience. Being a creature of the night is tempting and cool, but its also a painful damn change. But. At least he won’t be made fun of any more, and he will be the one striking fear. Good on you Ed.

As for our remaining group, they debate Eddie’s cry in the night. Charley actually worries maybe he’s in actual need of help, but Amy is done with this vampire business. She wants her boyfriend back, and she wants him normal! Which honestly isn’t that the wish of any woman? Just to have a normal guy for once?

Trust me, on behalf of men, the feeling is mutual on our end. Moving along.

Charley and Amy no longer need to worry about Eddie, or any sense of possible danger. As danger has found them! Yep, Jerry has made himself known to the two and for once Amy is believing her boyfriend and actually scared. They’re being chased through the streets and into a nightclub by a damn vampire. A charming one at that. As they make their way into the hippest night club in town, playing the best music ever of any time period. They decide to call Peter Vincent, figuring he’s their best shot at salvation here. However something is happening Amy was not ready for, and gives us yet another confirmed vampire ability. Amy has spotted Jerry in the club and he smiles to her, casually stalking her. It becomes very apparent, very soon that he in fact has the ability to charm people. Which I mean shit the man already had that ability, just look at him! LOOK AT HIM!!

What ensues, as Charley busies himself on the phone, is the most erotic sexually charged dance and flrting you’ll likely see from the time period. And no I am not lying, It gets pretty damn close to lewd. So of course I love it. Poor Charley finally catches the two and does his best to pry her free. Only to find she’s completely under his charm.

Meanwhile! At the home of our fearless vampire killer. He has a late night visitor knocking at his door, startling the poor guy. And it turns out his guest is none other than recently turned vampire Evil Ed! He’s pleading with Peter to open the door and let him in because, there’s vampires out there!

So Peter hurries to let the boy in and locks the door, immediately relieved to know someone believes what he too has seen. “What are we going to do?” Peter Ask Eddie as Eddie smirks and shakes his head. “No, what are you going to do.” With that he reveals his fancy big boy vamp teeth. Which not gonna lie. Maybe he needed to let them set and grow in a little bit more. They’re still kind of…gnarly. But we won’t judge. Vamping is different for everyone. But Peter is not impressed, he’s scared for his life now, and not just because there’s a for real vampire in his home. But because Ed takes the time to tell him how he used to admire him and his films, but now he knows the man is just a fraud and a fake, his movies suck and the man is washed up. Enough time for talk, he needs to feed! He lunges at Peter and begins trying to nibble the mans neck. But thankfully for Peter he has a cross on his still unchanged from earlier vampire hunter attire. He places the cross to Evil Eds forehead and it immediately scorches his flesh. Evil Ed pulls back in pain. Looking up to the man both in shock and the realization he can still be harmed. You actually can see him begin to cry even as his face has transformed to a more monster like visage. He was supposed to be superior to humans and here he was, still being over powered. “What did you do to me?!” he grows and lunges at Peter. But Peter Vincent is finding faith in his terrible monster films has paid off as he believed in the vampire hunting tools he carried enough that they did harm and protected him. So he thrust the cross out once more at Evil Ed. Who hisses at him and declares through fearful pain “The master will kill you for this! But not fast. Slowly! Oh, so slowly.”, he’s actually pretty haunting and a legit threat from a man we’d only ever seen joking and teasing before. Peter raises his crucifix with more  conviction this time and commands Evil Ed “Back!” and with that Eddie is throwing himself at the window and flies off.

But what of Charley you ask? Is he okay?! Jerry isn’t going to kill Charley. He’s going to take Amy as his prize hostage, and ask Charley to collect Peter Vincent and bring him to his home. He wants the two of them there, and if he wants to ever see Amy again he’ll agree.

Unfortunately for Jerry, the club security has spotted him manhandling poor Charley and intervene. Only to end up dead themselves and the entire club in an open panic. Giving Jerry and Amy the chance they need to escape. And as they do Charley witnesses both his girlfriend whisked away by an Alpha, and his friend now a vampire Eddie laughing at him as he gets cucked and Billy drives the three away.

I feel good for Eddie. The guy had a rough night, so getting to ride away in the back seat of the victory jeep, and laughing at his friend is a win for the guy. Good on him. But sad for Charley. He isn’t going to leave his girlfriend with this monster! So he will have to collect Peter Vincent. Who is not in the best mood for company, let alone guessing who’s human any more. It’s understandable, the guy’s been through a lot.

But Charlie is able to convince Peter that, although running away. Packing his clothes and starting a new life in a far safer town, or country would be ideal. They would just end up feeling crappy for not having helped out their friends. Well Charley’s friends Peter only mildly cares about Eddie who tried to kill him, he cares a lot more about Peter, which I can’t fault him for. Peter is important to Peter, and no one is looking out for Peter but Peter.

So our fearless vampire…hunter killer squad prepare themselves for battle.

While Jerry prepares himself for some lovin’.

So Amy is now his, semi willing prisoner. Kept in a fireplace lit room, waking up in a silk white gown, laid out on a microfiber blanket in front of the fire place. I’m not a woman, at least last I checked, and it’s very rarely I’m seduced. But Jerry definitely knows how to set a scene. Dude even has a fuck tape ready.

Seriously he has an actual fuck tape. The guy has a cassette tape, and loads it into his stereo system. Giving us the most amazing music for anyone to make sloppy 4 minute love by the fire, making your 30 minutes of prep and setup all worth while.

It’s a very tender and sexy scene, if you just forget that Jerry is a vampire and going to kill Charley. The way he looks at Amy, how he treats her. When she shows even the tiniest bit of hesitation or fear. His reactions to her, how he immediately comforts her and reassures her that she’s safe with him.  It’s honestly one of the more erotic scenes I’ve seen in a horror film, the way the two play off each other, is great and carries a lot of well handled, played undertone with surrendered innocence, passion, and the underlying feeling of a hunter luring in its pray.

It's even funner when you consider in real life the actress, Amanda Bearse has noooo attraction to men, and is a happily married lesbian. Well now at least she’s married. Late grats by the way.

But the love scene can’t all be entirely about the sexing. Nope. Jerry is bringing her to new heights and, also biting her neck. Yep. She’s trickling blood down her back and she is now a slurpee for him.

What better way to move from a sexy as hell mood, than to immediately open on Charley staring at the evil house and Peter grabbing his shoulder, holding his vampire hunters toolkit declaring himself “Peter Vincent! Ready to do battle with the undead!” He’s ready for the showdown, or at least in spirit. It’s seriously the greatest damn thing and such a great play on both comedy and horror. The two stand outside the house, glowing with evil mist, and even more evil wind. Peter talks about them using the backdoor instead of the front, as it’d be expected for them to enter through the front. But the door opens on its own accord and their decision is made for them. As they brave the doorway. Peter begins reassuring himself as best he can, “I AM Peter Vincent, the great vampire killer. I am the great vampire killer.” The two walk through the house and are met by Jerry at the top of the grand staircase. Which I have to say. This house on the outside definitely needs the remodeling these two are promising. But inside? It’s like a damn Victorian mansion compares to the rest of the neighborhood. It’s like freaking Mockingbird Lane.

“Welcome to Fright Night!...for real,” jerry teases down at his house guest as he approaches. Telling Charley that Amy Is safe upstairs. He can have her as well. He just needs to get past him to make it up the stairs. Which Charley is ready to do for once and prove himself to his girlfriend. But Peter knows Charley is a bit of a Beta cuck, and holds him back, taking charge of the situation himself. He holds out his most beautiful film prop cross and lifts his chin up. Jerry laughs in his face and walks calmly up to him, crushing and tossing the crucifix aside. Telling poor Peter that in order for that to work, he has to believe in it. Which he APPARENTLY did when he attacked Evil Ed, but now it seems his ego is driving him versus faith. As Jerry prepares to make a vampire out of the great vampire killer. Charley steps up with his crucifix gift from Evil Ed, HE has belief in it, and immediately Jerry howls out in pained anger, The pair might JUST be saved! However Jerry has Billy to help him out, so Billy gives Charley the backhand he’s been waiting to give him for a long time. Knocking Charley out. Leaving Peter on his own. So very bravely, and full of confidence. Peter Vincent the vampire killer, the GREAT vampire killer. Runs the hell out of there and out the front door.

BUT!! He is not going to leave poor Charley to a dark fate, oh no. He’s running across the street to Charley’s home, to notify the boys mother and contact the police. Only when he arrives, Charley’s mother is not there. She works nights, so Peter is unfortunately on his own. Well almost. Evil Ed is there! He has a score to settle with the man as he now carries a burnt cross on his forehead. The two begin a battle of the ages.

Well more like Peter runs for his life yet again only to crash to the floor and break a table as he does. Evil Ed is showing of his new abilities for Peter. Ed apparently has mastered shapeshifting! He’s changed into a wolf and plans on gnawing away at Peter Vincent. A sad end for a vampire killer, to be killed by a wolf!

Only he isn’t going out so easily, and this leads to the genuinely saddest goddamn scene not only in this movie, but in a long list of horror movies. As Ed charges toward Peter. Peter grabs up a broken wooden leg from the table and aims it outward like a pike. Impaling Evil Ed in his wolf form, sending the wolf down over the second floor banister and crashing to the floor.

But Ed isn’t dead. Ed is in pain. We see his wolf body crawling across the floor, and begin slowly changing into a wolfman like creature. The creature howls out dying in pain, crying, reaching out to Peter Vincent, you even hear the creature barely able to make out the word but speaks it, saying “help”, Peter begins to cry seeing this, and begins losing it when Eddie continues transforming and becomes more of his human self. He watches the boy in pain, crying before he finally dies.

Why the hell they felt the need to do this, I don’t know. But damn them, because it genuinely is freaking sad and you really do feel bad for poor Evil Ed. But now, Peter has no time to waste. He has to save Charley, even if killing the creature of Evil Ed, it has given him the belief he needed that his tools work, and that he can indeed kill the vampires.

He enters the home once more, finding Charley has been moved into is own room. The room where his beloved lays in wait. Jerry felt it would be a nice gift, and choice for Charley. To be left in a room with his girlfriend, and a single piece of sharpened wood with the choice. Stake his girlfriend when the sun comes up, or become her first meal. Which honestly yeah, that’s a pretty shitty choice, but a fun messed up game if you are the vampire pulling it.

Peter does his best to free Charley, finally managing just before things can get ugly. Well, uglier. But not before we get a quest update and learn that 1.) Amy is going to be full on vamp soon and 2.) Because movie logic has worked so far for them, if they kill Jerry the head vampire. She can be saved and turned human once more!

So with their quest logs update. Peter and Charley are headed to their first boss fight. Billy!

Billy may look like a life partner who works out regularly and isn’t too hard on the eyes, but he’s also special. He isn’t a vampire. Familiars serve to guard their masters during the daytime, and help provide food as well as safety. However Billy is not just a familiar. He’s a zombie familiar!!

Yes that’s right. This movie has zombies in it too! Bonus I know. But how do we know he IS a zombie, when he looks human and actually is able to use his brain power to speak and be happy?

Well. Because our fearless vampire killer is packing a pistol and shoots the guy in the freakin forehead AND HE GETS BACK UP!! Explain that!

He takes multiple attacks actually. And survives! Until finally being laid out. Well that’s a lie. He has a zombie life crisis, begins leaking precious green fuids, sand and other matter to the floor and then he becomes nothing more than a gleaming slimy skull. Farewell Billy, Billy boy.

Now there’s just the boss fight! Which, is not going to go very well sadly. Jerry is not happy with the loss of his bestie Billy. He’s seriously upset, not so much pissed as he is deeply hurt by this. So now playtime is over. He transforms into an unholy large and fierce looking bat! Attacking Peter, who thankfully is able to hold off the attack. At least for now. It’s kinda funny honestly because the bat just looks really funny, but super creepy. Unfortunately as Charley tries helping Peter, he gets bitten by the bat on his hand! Not a good plan bro.

Even worse, these two aren’t aware yet, but Jerry has called in for backup. He’s summoned the new improved Amy. Complete with longer fuller red hair, and much fimer…larger…fangs.

If you enjoyed the cover art for the film. You’re about to see where it comes from. As Amy descends on Charley she growls out at him, her once beautiful face now a wide open mouth full of teeth, and two orange fire filled eyes. Charley has his hands funn and is really. Well. I doubt the guy could handle a cold let alone fight a woman. Especially a woman who has every right in the world to be pissed at him. For all the times he pushed her into moving forward in the relationship when she wasn’t comfortable. For not understanding what no means, ignoring her when she presents him the keys to the temple, AND finding a man who not only gets the WAP with a smile and a look, but knows how to lay it down and put her ass to sleep. She has a new man and she’s going to kill Charley and Peter to prove her love for him.

Charley is not going to win this fight! But does Peter stop from trying to open Jerry’s coffin? To destroy and rid the world of the prime evil neighbor? Hell no! He tells Charley what any gamer worth his salt would “STFU, you don’t need heals bro, you’re a goddamn tank. We’ll help after the boss is dead”

So Peter cracks the coffin and finds a sleeping Jerry. He’s fled because the sun is coming up and he ain’t facing these two dorks during the day time. He’ll let Amy take care of that.

But his sleep is disturbed as Peter cracks it open and slaps a stake into his heart!

Is it enough though? Does it end him?!

Hell no!

Jerry is standing straight up out of his coffin and peeved! He tosses the wooden stake aside, ready to tare Peters head off. If not for the fact his tossed stake pierced one of his basement windows! Cursed sunlight!

As sunlight pours in, both Peter and Charley get the same age old idea for fighting the undead! They begin cracking windows left and right like kids on a sugar rush that discovered an abandoned canning warehouse.

Sadly this severely ruins Amy’s first night as a vampire and Jerry is, well. He’s not a fan of the sunlight. So with his ultimate finally charged and ready. Peter readies himself to unleash a blinding fury of light. Charley valuing the only chance he has of possibly looking badass if he saves his girlfriend and getting laid uses himself as a body shield over vampire Amy as Peter says let it rain, and the light pours in. Killing Jerry in the most hardcore of ways possible, as we see him go from human, to vamp, to man bat…demon looking thing. Seriously his visage is pretty much pure nightmare fuel.

Did it work? Did they save Amy? Is there a chance she might be able to get over a real man like Jerry having shown her what it is to feel like a woman and return to the arms of a beta boyfriend who ignores her for an old man and his horror movies?

Yeah it saves her, and yeah she thinks her boyfriend is pretty nifty.

Nifty enough that after all is said and done. We find ourselves now at the end of the movie, right where it began. Charley and Amy making out on the bed, while Peter Vincent somehow got his Fright Night show back, using the time to thank his vampire hunting companion, introduce a horror film, and Charley attempts home plate with Amy.

The End.

You can’t hate a movie like this. All you can do is love it, embrace it, and enjoy it. Even without knowing the true story behind it. It’s just honest good fun. It’s a great balance of horror comedy, it’s never over the top gross, just over the top acted. Roddy McDowall with gray spray paint in his hair to look older than he was. Chris Sarandon hamming it up while being terrifying and charming as hell. It’s great.

It still gets me as well that this film didn’t get the same love, let alone classification as a top gay horror film like Nightmare on Elm Street 2 did. I mean this movie has a lot under the surface and its very thinly veiled sometimes. But also funny when you realize a majority of the cast was gay/bi/lesbian. And they’re all supposed to be playing it ‘straight’, its funny. It also was where most the cast had fun too.

But alas again, the Hollywood world wasn’t ready to put that out there, and gay characters in films were still huge stereotypes and not really full characters. Unless you got a big named director to push for it. Sadly.

Everyone in this film is just top shelf and doing amazing chewing the scenery one scene at a time. It was fun seeing this and realizing Amy looked familiar because she played the neighbor Darcy in Married With Children, Hearing the voice of Cornelius the ape from Planet of the Apes and loving every minute of him as Peter. Right down to Prince Humperdinck playing another wonderful villain.

It’s great fun and one of the early horror films I was allowed to watch BECAUSE it didn’t have a lot of gore and wasn’t too scary.

It -did- have however a good deal of breast but. That was the 80’s

Speaking of.

The Music

There is no way I can do this without talking about two of the most greatest things.

Firstly the original score from Brad Fiedel

Which is darkly gothic and very old style Hammer films like. It’s again synth and electric piano. With mixes throughout of strings and bass with some heavy guitar riffs thrown in.

And then, the even more outstanding Soundtrack. Another score of Punk music and fun pop rock that was made specifically for the film. We got Devo, the Sparks, April Wine, J. Geils Band, and the goddamn Fabulous Fontaines.

The score itself, is something you really have to hunt for, but so worth it. The music is beautiful and as I said very old style gothic film like. It switches out old large church organs for electric pianos and synth horns.

One of my favorite tracks from this score is ‘Charlie’s Cathedral’, which as the name suggest yes, it is the music from Evil Ed and Amy finding Charley’s room now made into a gothic cathedral as he prepares for his final battle. In the film it’s just hilarious. But on its own? The piece is just bliss. Pre 80’s fantasy bliss.

But the absolute money shot for both grace and horror is without a doubt ‘Evil Alley’, it combines the surreal nightscape track “Dream Window’ with ‘Come to me’, its majestically tragic and sadly short. It’s what helped hit home the choice Eddie makes when he takes Jerry’s hand in the alley.

But one of the best parts of this soundtrack, and funnest stories, goes to both the score and soundtrack title track “Come To Me”, it was a short beautiful piece of music used when Jerry is seducing Amy, and plays when the two make love. Brian Fiedel admits that he enjoyed the music, and knew it was a hit, or would be. When he was paid for a copy of the track, by a couple. Who wanted it so they could play it while they had sex.

That was the only reason they wanted it. So. He thought screw it, why not, and so they got it and it was included on the soundtrack AND score. The only difference being on the soundtrack you get vocals with the music. Both are absolutely grand earworms that will take over your mind palace, and both are great for getting the mood set for two people making macaroni and cheese sounds.

The score as I mentioned is sadly hard to get a hold of, which is hugely unfortunate as it really is a very solid classic horror album and the feel of the entire thing is so unique and wonderful it stands out head and shoulders from a lot of other synth horror at the time. The gothic touch really adds to it. Seriously worth the listen and find.

The soundtrack, is a beast of a different nature.

I cannot count how many times, countless times! I would clean my house, make dinner, sort laundry and just spin this soundtrack.

I own it on vinyl, cassette, CD, and digitally. Seriously, just let it go from track one to the end and whatever your task is, it’ll work you through it. The beat stays the same, coming off like a mega party mix. It just keeps things goin and boppin.

Good lord where to even begin.

“Fright Night” by J. Geils Band, goddamn man. This song is pure magic. We need more music like this in the world. It’s as 80’s as you could ever want or ask for in a film song. It’s catchy, tells the films story, and it’s hard as hell not to get into it

If something a bit more screaming hair metal sounding is your thing? Look no further than “You Can’t Hide From The Beast Inside” from Autograph. It’s a classic rock/metal sound close to Dokken and dare I say Warrant. That’s a compliment and I’ll beat you after school if you say otherwise nerd.

One of the oddest and fun tracks, maybe because I grew up with the rockabilly love of Cry baby, has got to be from the Fabulous Fontaines, “Boppin’ Tonight”, If Jerry Lewis fused his music with the big bopper and some 80’s rock. You’d get this.

I would still want to name Come To Me as being the be all end all best of all track, but honestly I gotta go with something that just given the sheer number of times I’ve listened to this thing end to end, rewound and flipped sides on. April Wine’s “Rock Myself To Sleep” is unbeaten, unparalleled, and without a doubt the best damn thing on this.

I’m not even listening to the soundtrack and I hear the song in my head, my heads bobbing along and now I’m telling Alexa to play it. Because I need it in my life now.

Which honestly, in the end. That sums up the whole of this entire album and film.

It’s a quadruple win.

It had one of the most iconic and memorable film posters of any horror film at the time. It was a great fun ride of a movie that made you laugh and love the horror, It had a great sounding classic movie monster score, and a kickass soundtrack to boot. Not many films can pull that off and that just makes this film even more of a blessing in my book, and why it stands out in my absolute top 10 film scores and horror scores.

You better believe you need to check out all three of these. You owe it to yourself, your ears and your eyes. Introduce someone, a group of someones to it. They too will thank you.

Until tomorrow my friends, if a vampire moves in nextdoor? Maybe let them live their life, become friends with them, and don’t be a dick to your partner. You’ll live a longer happier life in the end.