NIGHT WARNING (1983)
aka NIGHTMARE MAKER
Directed by William Asher
HBO Home Video VHS
THE FILM
You want a night warning? You got
it. This is not the feel
good film of 1983. However, all
of the homophobic cops and incestuous
aunts out there will be like dogs
on chocolate. God, did I just say
that? Make that two night warnings.
People and their sex make for some
primo subject matter in vintage
horror films. Night Warning,
a UK Video Nasty/slasher-drama from
prolific 1960s TV director Bill
Asher, knows that fact very well.
Just like Crazed
from the previous year, this is
a mid-budgeted, no holds barred
peephole into the lives of a few
confused people. And their sex.
Unlike Crazed however,
Night Warning shoots for
the surface. You'll probably be
surprised by lines like "Doesn't
it bother you that he's a fag?",
but that's as far as it goes. Surprising,
sure, but light on the depth. Then
again, introspection probably won't
sell tickets, but gore-splashed
finales will.
Billy is entering an important time
in his life: young adulthood. After
the insane car accident death of
his parents, sultry Aunt Cheryl
(Hollywood rebel Susan Tyrrell)
becomes Billy's guardian. She's
in love with him, but talks to odd
photograph shrines in the basement.
He's in love with Basketball, but
still has time for girlfriend Julie.
Cheryl throws herself at a repairman
("Please, you can do anything
you want to me!"), then stabs
him dead after he demands a blowjob.
Uh oh. Cheryl says it was rape,
Billy's caught with the knife, asshole
Detective Carlson (Bo Svenson, Snowbeast)
says "fag" a lot, and
a well of forbidden connections
unfold. Then Cheryl REALLY loses
it. Let the blood flow.
If there's anything to complain
about in Night Warning,
you've got one on me. Susan Tyrrell's
Serial Mom meets Katherine
Hepburn performance leads the pack
in a series of smooth moves. The
casting is uniformly on the button.
Asher's direction is forthright,
but never distinct. Low key organ
atmosphere makes the soundtrack
simmer. The film's lifeblood lies
in its willingness to push buttons.
In doing so, a darkly depressing
mood sets in; one that keeps your
attention while building towards
the grande finis.
A few more warnings: Nerf Hoop.
Bill Paxton previewing the transcendent
role of Chet in Weird Science.
Use of the term "butt buddy."
What a night.
AUDIO AND VIDEO
Overall, pretty good. The image
doubled at times, but that's probably
a rental casualty. Colors matched
the early 80s darkness and the print
was in nice shape. The mono sound
tended to fluctuate with louder
voices. Makes sense.
EXTRAS
Bingo. Immediately following the
end credits are 15 minutes of brief
trailers and other assorted oddities.
The Best Of Benny Hill
trailer might be the greatest thing
I've ever seen. That, or the neon
music video sheen of The Tubes.
Mud wrestling? Sushi? Benny Hill!
FINAL THOUGHTS
Feel good even if they don't. Night
Warning isn't especially renowned,
but it's unique enough to grab you
throughout. If the opportunity presents
itself, plan on an evening.
— Joseph A. Ziemba, 05.25.06 |
Meatloaf, beatloaf
7 PM
10 PM
Midnight -- ouch!
|
