Happy Shocktober 2026!
Well, we all know what month it is: Shocktober! I follow many bloggers who will be sharing films every day of the month, so I will jump on with my “A – B – C” of horror films to enjoy all month long!
Let’s start with “A”:
“Alien”
Not only one of the greatest horror films of them all, it also has an iconic poster and tagline!
Meet The Crew Of The “Nostromo!”
Here they are: crew members on a transport freighter who are asked to make a detour in outer space.
In 1979, Director Ridley Scott shocked moviegoers with a futuristic sci-fi horror film that used that simple premise – and the film became an instant classic.
As we look at the film, here are three reasons I love the original “Alien”.
1- The Who!
Yes, the seminal rock band had a role in creating the moody atmosphere of the film.
The blue laser lights that were used in the alien ship’s egg chamber were borrowed from the band, who were testing out the lasers for their stage show in the soundstage next door.
2 – The Face Hugger!
The first look at the “alien” takes place when unfortunate Astronaut Kane and the others visit The Who’s moody egg chamber – when he leans over an alien “egg” he gets a big surprise: the face hugger!
Here is why this baby alien looked so creepy. The dead face hugger that is autopsied after being pried off Kane’s face was made using fresh shellfish, four oysters and a sheep kidney to recreate the internal organs. Yum!
This all leads to the next reason I love this film:
3 – The Bursting Chest!
Yes, after Kane has the face hugger pried off, he is seemingly OK again. Well, at least until he attempts to eat a meal, and the crew discover that the alien was inside him!
Here’s a fun fact: the chest bursting scene was filmed in one take with four cameras.
This scene was voted the second most shocking moment in movie history, right before “The Exorcist”…and even before moviegoers made it to the theater, there was a palpable sense of dread, thanks to the next reason this film is a classic:
A perfect slice of Halloween horror – check out this classic trailer:
What a classic!
Up next is the letter “B”, another classic 70’s shocker, also one of my favorite films of all time:
“IF THIS PICTURE DOESN’T MAKE YOUR SKIN CRAWL – IT’S ON TOO TIGHT!”
I mean, what a tagline! And one of the great images on a poster as well:
A classic 70’s horror film that has been rediscovered thanks to home video, “Black Christmas” is a tight, vicious thriller that is one of my top five horror films of all time!
Let’s look at the original trailer, which is not only lengthy at four minutes, but scary as hell as well:
The plot is straightforward: it’s time for Christmas break, and a group of sorority sisters make plans for the holiday – but for a few, they will remain at the sorority house, when the horrifying anonymous phone calls begin. Olivia Hussey stars in the film…
Hussey starred in “Romeo & Juliet”, but this is no love story…one of the reasons the film works so well is that her performance is so grounded in reality – she is very much like Jamie Lee Curtis in “Halloween” – a “real” person who makes the horror all the more real…
Margot Kidder also stars as one of Olivia’s sorority sisters, and she’s got a wicked sense of humor and an acid tongue…this was just prior to her breakout role as Lois Lane in “Superman”…
Kidder really elevates the film with her caustic wit…
This is a tight, claustrophobic thriller with a terrific ending….avoid the remake!
Finally, the letter “C” take me to another of my favorite films of all time, and another 70’s shocker:
“Carrie”
More than a great horror film, “Carrie” is a beautifully made movie, which began as a Stephen King novel – his first novel in fact!
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”:
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.”
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.
“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…
“Carrie” is a great film that transcends horror, as do some of these films:
So, there are the “A – B – C” of scary movies for Shocktober – and if you want to keep that scary vibe alive all month long, here’s an idea:
Yes, you can own this wild Pennywise “IT” clown door mat!
Click here to see more!
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Categories: 70's Cinema, Cult Movies, Film Fight Club, Great Films, Halloween, Horror films, Movies, Pop Culture, Revenge Movies, Talent/Celebrities, True Hollywood Mystery
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