Time For A Halloween Horror Classic!
Finishing up #31daysofhalloween on a cinematic high note, with the second greatest horror film ever made.
More than a great horror film, “Carrie” is a beautifully made movie, which began as a Stephen King novel – his first novel in fact!
Classic “Carrie!”
In 1976, Director Brian DePalma took a very young cast – including Sissy Spacek, John Travolta and Nancy Allen – and made a classic film that will stand the test of time:
It’s not just a great horror film – it’s a great movie – classic cinema from a master filmmaker – let’s look first at the trailer for “Carrie”:
“Carrie” is a master class in filmmaking. I mean, how can you top this opening credits sequence, when Carrie takes a shower after gym class and discovers an unknown horror…
After her class mates taunt her about her horrified reaction to her totally unexpected first period, the story takes a dual path: both “good” and “bad” girls at school have plans for Carrie, while she discovers that she is “gifted”, and you really don’t want to get her angry.
Casting “Carrie” – AND Princess Leia!
Here’s great trivia: George Lucas and Brian De Palma held a joint audition for “Carrie” and “Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope”. There is a long-standing rumor that originally, Sissy Spacek was cast as Princess Leia, and Carrie Fisher as Carrie, but when Fisher refused to appear in nude scenes and Spacek was willing to do them, they switched parts.
Princess Leia Says “NOT TRUE!”
However, Fisher refuted this story in a Premiere magazine article called “The Force Wasn’t With Them,” about actors who auditioned unsuccessfully for “Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope.” That article got into the “switched roles” legend, and quoted Fisher as saying:
“Not only do I love being nude, I would’ve been nude then… But anyway, it’s total bullshit that Fisher refused to play Carrie.”
Spielberg’s Set Visits!
In a 2010 interview with “The A.V. Club”, Actress P.J. Soles said that Steven Spielberg often came to the set at Brian De Palma’s invitation – because DePalma told him that there were “a lot of cute girls down here.”
Soles said that Spielberg asked out most of the women on the set, Soles included, and Amy Irving was the only one who accepted. Irving and Spielberg were married from 1985-1989 and had one son together.
Travolta’s Smarmy Supporting Role!
John Travolta broke out big in as small role as Billy Nolen, a punk who just wants to make his girlfriend, Chris Hargenson, happy. Chris is played by DePalma favorite Nancy Allen. Their big dramatic scene takes place underneath the stage where Carrie White is about to be crowned homecoming queen:
Billy Nolen: “Keep the light straight!
Chris Hargenson: [blood drops onto the flashlight] Watch it, you stupid shit, you’re getting blood all over the place!
Billy Nolen: [starts laughing] Who are you calling a stupid shit? I mean you can’t even keep that fuckin’ light straight
Chris Hargenson: [whines] Just hurry up, I wanna go home!
Billy Nolen: [drawls] Yes, Ma’am! We’re doing the BEST we can, we sure are!
Billy Nolen: Just keep your tits on, and I’ll let you pull the rope!
Chris Hargenson: I intend to!
Billy Nolen: I know…”
Piper Laurie was Oscar-noiminated as Carrie’s crazy, religious Mom…in a virtuoso performance that was central to the film’s success…
“Carrie” is a masterpiece, and brilliantly directed by a master filmmaker – check out all of the special editions DVD’s and Blu-rays that delve into much more great behind-the-scenes trivia about the making of the film…
Here is another low-budget cult film that changed horror forever – because “Black Christmas” created the eerie POV camera shot of the killer that was knocked off by every horror film since!
“Carrie” is a great film that transcends horror, as do some of these films:
Here is a list of some great cult horror gems you may not know:
https://jrsploitation.com/2018/10/02/shocktober-2018-is-here-check-out-these-halloween-horrors/
Happy Halloween!
Categories: 70's Cinema, Academy Awards, Action Films, Art, Books / Media, Cult Movies, Exploitation films, Film Fight Club, Great Films, Grindhouse, Halloween, Hollywood, Horror films, Independent Cinema, Movies, Obscure Movies, Pop Culture, Revenge Movies, Talent/Celebrities
johnrieber 
This was another fantastic movie based on a King novel. I loved the book too, John.
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Yes Robbie, as an avid reader, I always appreciate the source material!
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Carrie is indeed a top film, with a great cast. Piper Laurie alone is worth watching the film for.
It also had one of the worst remakes in cinema history, and that is best avoided at any cost. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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