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On this day in 1981 (in the U.S.), it was 'laughs aplenty' when audiences were finally taken inside ... The Funhouse! Directed by Tobe Hooper from a story by Lawrence J. Bloch, the film starred Elizabeth Berridge, Shawn Carson, Jeanne Austin, and others.
According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Teenage Amy Harper, her boyfriend Buzz Dawson, and their friends Richie Atterbury and Liz Duncan visit a local carnival for a night of innocent amusement, but soon witness a fortune teller's murder and find that the exits are locked."
-- EZ
On this day in 1981 (in the U.S.), it was 'laughs aplenty' when audiences were finally taken inside ... The Funhouse! Directed by Tobe Hooper from a story by Lawrence J. Bloch, the film starred Elizabeth Berridge, Shawn Carson, Jeanne Austin, and others.
According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Teenage Amy Harper, her boyfriend Buzz Dawson, and their friends Richie Atterbury and Liz Duncan visit a local carnival for a night of innocent amusement, but soon witness a fortune teller's murder and find that the exits are locked."
-- EZ
From Google.com:
The Funhouse (1981) is an American slasher film directed by horror legend Tobe Hooper, known for his work on The Texas Chain Saw Massacre and Poltergeist. Released on March 13, 1981, the film centers on four teenagers who decide to spend the night in a traveling carnival's dark ride, only to be stalked by a deformed, murderous carnie.
Plot Overview
The story follows rebellious teen Amy Harper (Elizabeth Berridge) and her friends as they visit a local carnival.
Production Highlights
Reception and Legacy
The Funhouse (1981) is an American slasher film directed by horror legend Tobe Hooper, known for his work on The Texas Chain Saw Massacre and Poltergeist. Released on March 13, 1981, the film centers on four teenagers who decide to spend the night in a traveling carnival's dark ride, only to be stalked by a deformed, murderous carnie.
Plot Overview
The story follows rebellious teen Amy Harper (Elizabeth Berridge) and her friends as they visit a local carnival.
- The Decision: Looking for a thrill, the group decides to sneak into the "Funhouse" ride to stay overnight.
- The Murder: While hidden inside, they witness the murder of a fortune teller, Madame Zena, by a masked, deformed worker.
- The Struggle: The teens become trapped as the carnival owner and his murderous son—who wears a Frankenstein mask to hide his grotesque true face—hunt them through the ride's mechanical corridors.
Production Highlights
- Director: Tobe Hooper took this project as his first major studio film following his independent successes.
- Special Effects: The iconic "monster" makeup for the character Gunther (played by Wayne Doba) was designed by Academy Award winner Rick Baker.
- Setting: Although set in the Midwest, the film was shot on the backlots of Norin Studios in Miami, Florida, using real carnival workers and vintage rides from the 1940s and 50s.
- Novelization: A novelization by Dean Koontz (under the pseudonym Owen West) was released before the movie; many fans mistakenly believe the film is based on the book, but the book was actually written from the screenplay.
Reception and Legacy
- Box Office: The film was a modest commercial success, earning approximately $7.8 million.
- Critical View: It received mixed to positive reviews. Critics often praise its atmospheric cinematography and suspense but have criticized its slow pacing in the first half.
- Cult Status: Over time, it has become a cult classic among horror fans for its unique "creepy carnival" vibe and its status as one of the definitive "Video Nasties" (though it was ultimately unsuccessfully prosecuted).
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