In the wake of “Halloween” and “Black Christmas,” the slasher genre exploded all over the big screen. Horror fans flocked to this new brand, content to be thrilled, amused and horrified by anything that came their way. And while a great many classics to come onto the scene (you know the classics), there were also more than a few, well, let’s say, “less than great” slasher flicks to come along. One such slasher film to kind of find itself hanging out in that neighborhood was “Prom Night.”
I know. I know. You’re probably saying to yourself, “But Jamie Lee Curtis; Scream Queen extraordinaire is in this!” Well, you’re right. She definitely stars in this murky, slow and overtly disco-driven slasher film. But to say it must be a classic because it stars a star and has all the makings of a classic is kind of not the best argument. And certainly not one that in and of itself deserves a pass based on it’s so-called merit.
After all, remember when Adam Sandler, the unapologetic king of nonsense comedy starred in “Jack & Jill?” You know what actually, maybe we should discuss “Jack & Jill.” From a pure horror standpoint, it’s way more frightening that “Prom Night.” I mean, it scarred me- and the other seventy-four people in America who payed full Friday night movie theater price to see it! I’m getting off track; let’s reel it in. Speaking of comedy stars, Leslie Nielsen also stars in “Prom Night.” Alright, back on track.
The actor best known as Detective Frank Drebin plays the Principal of the high school as well as Jamie Lee’s father. At the heart of the story is the accidental death of a young girl who falls out a window to her death while playing a game with a group of friends. The story then flashes forward six years to this group of friends senior prom. Taking inspiration from “Black Christmas,” the group of friends start getting strange phone calls from a mystery person.
Leslie Nielsen in a scene from “Prom Night” (Simcom Limited, 1980).
What kills me about “Prom Night” is that on its premise alone, it could totally be a great idea. Except we fairly recently had “Carrie” and honestly, that is the definitive prom movie. You know with the psychic powers, the blood and “they’re all gonna laugh at you.” All I can think about right now is Adam Sandler. And it’s scaring me more than “Prom Night.”
The problem with “Prom Night” is that it’s just- derivative of earlier, better horror and slasher films.The kills are mostly lame and really poorly executed. With the exception of that decapitation scene, they’re all kind of stock. Nothing shocking except the schotty effects. A subplot about an actual killer who some think killed the girl is kind of a Red Herring but we the audience never really but that. And we never really care about any of the characters; even Jamie Lee Curtis.
In three years, Jamie Lee starred in five horror films: “Halloween I” & “II,” “Terror Train,” “The Fog” and “Prom Night,” by far the weakest. She may be the queen of screams, but with its onslaught of Disco music, its weak characters and flaccid plot, “Prom Night” just never hits the levels it could have. At some points I kind of wish John Travolta would burst in to a Bee Gees song and at least make the movie fun. Hell, even Leslie Nielsen driving making an ass of himself like in the “Naked Gun” trilogy would make save this from the depths of despair. Just think if the killer had hired Reggie Jackson to be the masked madman? Now that would have been awesome- and very, very welcome.
“Prom Night” gave way to a few weird sequels and an abysmal remake. It’s certainly not the worst horror movie I’ve ever seen (Looking at you “The Devil Inside”) but it’s far from great – or even good. And with its utter waste of the talented Jamie Lee Curtis – at the height of her horror mastery; I just can’t forgive the film for disappointing.
If you love disco though, this may be a better option than the Sylvester Stallone directed “Stayin’ Alive.” But if you’re looking for a fun horror movie, maybe not a classic, but even a second-rate slasher flick, give “April Fool’s Day” a shot. Because the only real April Fools joke you will suffer is expecting a horror masterpiece while watching “Prom Night.”
– by Joe Hughes
