Creepshow

“Creepshow” is a 1982 American horror anthology film directed by George A. Romero and written by Stephen King. The film consists of five short stories and is designed as a homage to the EC horror comics of the 1950s such as “Tales from the Crypt.” Here are some key details about the movie:

Overview

• Title: Creepshow
• Director: George A. Romero
• Writer: Stephen King
• Producer: Richard P. Rubinstein
• Cinematography: Michael Gornick
• Music: John Harrison
• Release Year: 1982
• Genre: Horror, Anthology
• Runtime: Approximately 120 minutes
• Language: English

Structure

The film is structured as an anthology, with five separate horror stories bookended by an overarching prologue and epilogue involving a boy named Billy and his encounter with his strict father who throws away his Creepshow comic book.

Stories

1. “Father’s Day”: This story revolves around a wealthy but cruel patriarch named Nathan Grantham, who is murdered by his daughter Bedelia. Years later, Nathan rises from the grave to seek revenge on his descendants who have gathered to celebrate Father’s Day.
2. “The Lonesome Death of Jordy Verrill”: Stephen King stars as Jordy Verrill, a dim-witted farmer who discovers a meteorite. Hoping to sell it for a large sum, he instead ends up being infected by a strange substance that causes plant-like growths to consume his body and property.
3. “Something to Tide You Over”: Leslie Nielsen and Ted Danson star in this tale of revenge. Richard Vickers (Nielsen) discovers his wife is having an affair with Harry Wentworth (Danson). Richard buries Harry and his wife up to their necks on the beach, where they drown as the tide comes in. Later, the couple returns from the dead to exact their revenge.
4. “The Crate”: A janitor at a university discovers a mysterious crate hidden under a staircase. Inside the crate is a ravenous creature that has been dormant for over a century. The story follows the chaos that ensues after the crate is opened.
5. “They’re Creeping Up on You!”: E.G. Marshall stars as Upson Pratt, a wealthy and ruthless businessman obsessed with cleanliness. He finds himself besieged by an army of cockroaches in his sterile, high-tech apartment.

Prologue and Epilogue

The framing story involves a young boy named Billy (played by Joe Hill, Stephen King’s son) who is punished by his father for reading a horror comic book. The story concludes with a darkly humorous twist involving a voodoo doll.

Notable Elements

• EC Comics Influence: The film is heavily influenced by the style and tone of the EC horror comics, characterized by ironic twists, moral retribution, and a campy, colorful aesthetic.
• Special Effects: The practical effects, particularly the creature designs and makeup, were created by Tom Savini, a renowned special effects artist known for his work in the horror genre.
• Directorial Style: George A. Romero’s direction combines dark humor with genuine horror, using exaggerated lighting and comic book-style framing to create a unique visual experience.

Reception

• Critical Reception: “Creepshow” received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised its faithful homage to horror comics, its blend of horror and humor, and its effective special effects.
• Box Office: The film was a commercial success, grossing over $21 million against an $8 million budget.
• Cult Status: Over time, “Creepshow” has achieved cult status and is considered a classic in the horror anthology genre.

Legacy

• Sequels and Adaptations: The success of “Creepshow” led to sequels, including “Creepshow 2” (1987) and “Creepshow 3” (2006). A television series adaptation was also released in 2019 on the streaming service Shudder.
• Influence: “Creepshow” has influenced numerous other horror anthologies and continues to be celebrated for its creativity and its successful blending of horror and humor.

Additional Information

• Cast: The film features an ensemble cast, including Hal Holbrook, Adrienne Barbeau, Fritz Weaver, Viveca Lindfors, Carrie Nye, E.G. Marshall, Leslie Nielsen, and Ted Danson.
• Music: The film’s score, composed by John Harrison, contributes to the eerie and campy atmosphere, enhancing the comic book feel of the stories.

Overall, “Creepshow” is a seminal work in the horror anthology genre, known for its imaginative stories, impressive special effects, and the collaborative genius of Stephen King and George A. Romero.