Cast
View All
Jonelle Allen
as Lucinda Cavender
Shari Belafonte
as Melissa Cavender
LeVar Burton
as Vinnie Davis
Peter DeLuise
as Mitch Crandall
Jonna Lee
as Sandy Matthews
Kevin McCarthy
as Judge Crandall
Lee Montgomery
as Phil Grenville
Cindy Morgan
as Vicky Jensen
Dedee Pfeiffer
as Mary Masterson
Dick Van Patten
as Martin Grenville
Mark Blankfield
as The Ghoul
Hank Garrett
as Sgt. Thompson
Sheila Larken
as Janet Greenville
Dennis Redfield
as Lester Mitchell
Kurtwood Smith
as Captain Warren Jensen
Crew
Director
- Jack Bender
Writer
- William Bleich
Producer
- Jill Mullikin-Bates
- Ervin Zavada
Reviews
Wuchak
_**The dead are raised on Halloween night in a New England hamlet**_
In a Massachusetts town, five high school kids inadvertently unleash witches, zombies, vampires and werewolves after reciting a curse from a paper scroll on Halloween.
Originally released to TV, "The Midnight Hour" (1985) came out 23 months after Michael Jackson’s hit “Thriller” video and was obviously inspired by it. You get other items relevant to the 80s, like Eric Carr’s The Fox makeup when the protagonist dresses up for the Halloween party.
If you’re in the mood for a colorful Halloween flick that has spooky elements but isn’t very scary, has little gore and zero nudity, it fills the bill. Comparable flicks in tone include "Monster Night" (2006), "Saturday the 14th" (1981), “Elvira: Mistress of the Dark” (1988) and “Monster Island” (2004).
The requirements of a movie like this are obvious: A good assortment of youthful protagonists, from kids to late-teens (e.g. Lee Montgomery, LeVar Burton and Shari Belafonte); an equally good cast of adults (e.g. Dick Van Patten and Kevin McCarthy); a quasi-horror ambiance; a fun, silly spirit; corny, but amusing humor; a simple story with a sense of adventure; an assortment of good-lookin' women, young and older (e.g. Jonna Lee, Dedee Pfeiffer and Cindy Morgan); an energetic and rockin' soundtrack; and a runtime that doesn't overstay its welcome.
It helps that some quality human interest is thrown in with the sympathetic character of Sandy (the winsome Jonna Lee).
The movie runs 1 hour, 34 minutes, and was shot at Universal Studios, Universal City, California, including the Courthouse Square backlot used in flicks like “Back to the Future” (1985) and “Back to the Future Part II” (1989).
GRADE: B-/B
Apr 7, 2022
Thematic Analysis
This Comedy/Horror/TV Movie/Romance film explores themes of fear and survival, delving into the psychological aspects of human nature when confronted with the unknown. The Midnight Hour presents a unique perspective on the horror genre by focusing on the psychological terror rather than relying on typical jump scares.
Director Jack Bender brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to pacing and visual storytelling creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 1985, the film exists within a cultural context that now offers viewers historical perspective on the social issues of that era. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of The Midnight Hour took approximately 11 months from pre-production to final cut.
- The final cut of the film runs for 94 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 154 minutes long.
- Several scenes were filmed in multiple locations to capture the perfect setting.
- The musical score contains over 60 unique compositions.
- The screenplay went through 10 major revisions before the final shooting script was approved.
Historical Context
- In 1985, when this film was released:
- Economic policies were shifting toward deregulation in many Western countries.
- MTV launched, changing how music was marketed and consumed.
- Independent cinema was growing in influence, challenging the dominance of major studios.
How This Film Stands Out
While The Midnight Hour shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike My Best Friend Is a Vampire, which takes a more conventional approach to its subject matter, The Midnight Hour offers a fresh perspective through its innovative visual language and narrative structure.
While films like The Last Man on Earth and The Reflecting Skin explore similar territory, The Midnight Hour stands apart through its deeper exploration of its central themes and more complex characterization.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its bold artistic choices and willingness to challenge viewer expectations, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: November 1, 1985
- Runtime: 1h 34m
