The Original Fright Night

• Written and Directed by Tom “Not the MCU One” Holland (Directorial Debut)
• August 2, 1985

When a young man realizes his neighbor is a vampire, he recruits a horror-actor-turned-TV-host to help him end the creature’s killing spree.

The 80s were an era of pure imagination in film. Perhaps even a highpoint in cinematic creativity. Not that there haven’t been other bright eras in cinema but there was a seeming willingness to try ANY idea and see if it worked. Toss it against the wall and see what happened. Fright Night was one such entry into this try any idea era of filmmaking.

Set in Everytown USA, the story follows a young man who becomes convinced his neighbor is a vampire. The story is equal parts funny and creepy with a very good story that does not rely on dumb to keep things moving along.

Anybody else mix up William Ragsdale and Zack Galligan back in the day? Anywho, the former stars as Charley Brewster who is essentially the hero of the story though not your typical hero of the era. He is almost comically flawed and stumbles around due to being, well, a kid. This type of not automatically skilled character was a-typical in the 80s as compared to today and Ragsdale makes him feel authentic rather than a punchline of a running gag.

I still can’t get over Amanda Bearse being in this as Charley’s girlfriend Amy. She went from this to Marcy in Married…with Children which is a very different character and played both well. She’s probably the most convincing character of them all here. And I mean that in her character has more going on as compared to the others yet none of it feels fake. Amy is afraid to take the next step with Charley yet does want to do so. She does not believe him initially yet loves him enough to at least listen to and humor him.

But what makes this movie for me is the legendary Roddy McDowall as Peter Vincent-Vampire Hunter. Quite possibly the best casting of this entire movie after Chris Sarandon. Vincent is a former actor relegated to local host of a horror movie show that plays many of his old films. McDowall gives this down on his luck individual some charm that only he could without making the character pathetic.

Chris Sarandon was perfect casting as modern-day vampire Jerry Dandrige. He embodied much of the charm and sex appeal that vampires should have but not in an old-world way. He was very much a product of his day and yet you could see the connection to someone like Bella Lugosi or even Christopher Lee. He was not goofy evil but a serious threat.

I never liked the character of “Evil” Ed (Stephen Geoffreys). I know we are supposed to have a hate for him eventually, but I am mystified at why the character as portrayed had ANY friends of any type. He is completely unlikeable at all points and just generally annoying which makes why ANYBODY hangs with him implausible. And weirdly he gets a bit rehabbed when he’s turned into a vampire. I actually felt bad for the character in that moment. I guess that goes to the quality of the script.

The film maintains a consistent logic for the most part which helps not only when you first watch it but gives it rewatchability. One thing that has always bothered me is that they make it clear that only the rightful owner can allow a vampire into a home. The thing is Ed when he’s a vampire manages to get into Peter’s apartment AFTER Peter finds an eviction notice meaning Peter IS NOT the rightful owner. That may be a bit nitpicking on my part. I do wish somebody would address that in a vampire movie as it happens rather often.

My major beef with this movie though is it moves a little too fast. At least in the change of Charley becoming convinced of their neighbors being a vampire. I think it needed twenty minutes max more to make it feel less rushed. Other than that this is a great film. No hard scares but plenty of atmosphere and Chris Sarandon is a truly threatening villain. He’s charming with an undercurrent of danger. He knows how to send a message in front of people that only the recipient would get as demonstrated in a few scenes.

It’s not a big one scares and the gore we get is weird and manages to be just gross without being gory. All very good stuff. The only bit of makeup I really don’t like is what they do with Amy to give her an unnatural, vampire mouth. It has always looked a bit silly.

While more weird than scary, the original Fright Night is a classic 80s vampire film. It not only brings the mythology into the present but into Smalltown America. A must watch classic!