The Funhouse

Solid casual watch B list horror movie. Doesn't take itself too seriously. Enjoyed watching while making jokes about some of the typical tropes. The little brother was an absolute menace though. Literal trash sibling. Honestly that kid was the real villain.

I originally saw this movie back in my mid-teens from renting it on VHS. I was instantly drawn to this movie due to it's very unique atmosphere, tone, suspense, and it's effectively creepy and scary monster.Not knowing much about Tobe Hooper at the time as I only knew him for Texas Chainsaw Massacre, I had no real idea what I was in for. Granted reading the back of the VHS case helped a little bit though. Watching proved to be quite a blast all the same.One thing that I love about this movie using a local carnival as the setting where our 4 main characters find trouble beyond anything that they could've ever pondered. The lovely lights of the carnival at night, the fun and interesting shows and games that they partake in, one of them including a magician using a Dracula theme for his show, them getting high and getting into trouble, the mounting suspense to the movie taking it's time both carefully and collectively to get to the horror element and also to develop the characters, the use of the carnival has it's creepy and mysterious side where any kind of danger could be lurking and hiding utilizing both the ample hiding places and the nighttime darkness adds to that, finally it's really cool to pick such a fun setting such as a carnival.The writing was straight up top notch where teenagers, grownups, and kids all say and do things that one would expect them to say and do. Simple character study element.The acting was no nonsense and everyone got right into character and delivered performances that are in no way awkward or over the top plus their performances totally fuel this movie, bar-none. Lots of kudos goes to Elizabeth Berridge, especially. Besides being completely gorgeous and incredibly hot she puts in a very professional performance and best of all she gets to plan a beautiful/sexy final girl without being cheesy or dopey. Don't get me wrong I accept that as par for the course when it comes to any victim in a slasher but still it's nice to have a break from that once in a while. Though everyone was good in this movie, especially Elizabeth.There's one scene of great nudity.My only criticism of this movie is the monster doesn't have a name. You would think if he has a father they would give him a name as well. Great makeup though and the monster is effectively, nightmarishly ugly as well.Also it was great to have characters that I actually care about and I wanna see survive for a change. Again it's imperative that you care about the final and main character and typically par for the course that you don't care(or care very little) about the supporting characters but once in a while it's a nice break to care about them all.

Director Tobe Hooper (The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Salem's Lot, Poltergeist) made a horror film that is centered around a funhouse at a carnival. The Funhouse (1981) is a unique horror film. This movie came out right smack in the middle of the horror movie craze of the late '70s and early '80s. In fact, 1981 might have been the biggest year for horror films. This is one reason why this movie seems to have been forgotten by a lot of people. It got lost in the pile of 1981 horror flicks. It's a horror classic, if you ask me.I've heard a lot of people say that the first half hour to an hour is boring. I completely disagree. It's not boring at all. Time is needed for events to play out that lead up to four double dating teenagers planning their trip to the carnival. Once they arrive at the carnival, they don't immediately go into the funhouse. Instead, they do what most people do - they walk around, buy some cotton candy, go on a bunch of rides, etc. The last thing they do is go to the funhouse. In fact, they decide right then and there that they want to spend the night in the funhouse. This turns out to be a big mistake, for they witness a murder committed by a freak that has the body of a human and the head of, well, a freaky deformed monster. He is actually the sicko barker's son. This is when the horror starts. These kids realize the doors are locked and the nightmare is beginning.This movie stars Elizabeth Berridge, Cooper Huckabee, Miles Chapin, Sylvia Miles, William Finley, and Kevin Conway.This movie has the typical formula that so many slasher movies of that era and today's era have - a group of partying teenagers who end up paying for their bravery or stupid judgment. In this movie, the gore is kept to a minimum. The action in the fun funhouse is scary and never boring. I question a few things, such as why there would be a real sword in a fun house, a trap door, and no exit signs (all safety hazards). But I guess maybe this was the case because, afterall, the funhouse is run by a sicko barker and his freaky deformed monster son. This monster looked pretty good, but I think a psycho clown would have been better.You'll notice right at the beginning of the movie there is a scene that rips off, or at least pays homage to, Psycho and Halloween. I certainly hope it was Tobe Hooper just paying homage to these two movies. Overall, this movie has that Tobe Hooper feel to it. Hooper tends to use really mentally deranged characters in some of his movies, and this is no exception.The carnival atmosphere that was created for this movie is superb. There is everything you'd see at an '80s carnival - rides, freaks, a funhouse, tents, a striptease show, a fortune teller, everything. The after hours nighttime atmosphere is creepy. The mannequins and various props inside the funhouse are very creepy. I like the fat lady prop at the entrance to the fun house. Her laugh is super creepy.If you want to see a largely forgotten horror classic, see this movie. This is one of the gems from the golden age of horror movies, the late '70s and early '80s. They don't make 'em like this anymore.

wanted this for a long time well worth the wait,bought this on dvd years ago,had it on video in the 90's and yes saw this on the cinema as a double bill[remember them]with '' my bloody valentine '' in 1981. on bluray the quality is so good it looks like a new movie. this is one of tobe hoopers finest works,everything from the creepy music,the story and forgetting the creature in it looks even more scary than it did. kevin conaway plays several related characters in the carnival that he sticks in your head long after seeing the movie. if you not seen this movie do not expect gore on top of gore,it is just great fun to see how they used to make these movies in the late seventies and eary eighties. this came out around the time friday the 13th,the howling, an american werewolf in london,the fog,the shining,halloween,happy birthday to me and visiting hours all of these movies classics

With its interesting setting promising to be a fun time soon turns into a slog to get through as even when things kick in it just takes too long for anything to actually happen, as the characters walk as slowly as they possibly can through the titular Funhouse and stare down their pursuer for an awkwardly long time when they finally come face to face. This is far from Tobe Hoopers best.

The movie itself is a pretty good representation of early 80's horror. Standard fair with a little more flair than some of it's counterparts of this time.Tobe Hooper's first film with a major studio and the restrictions are fairly obvious. However it is a fun horror movie.Arrow's presentation is superb. It looks like they have used the same HD print that Shout have in the US but this disc from Arrow has far more extras.As usual Arrow have also provided us with 4 reversible sleeves for the cover, a slip case, a small booklet written by Kim Newman and a double sided poster which is ideal for framing and putting on the wall of your crypt or tomb.I got this from Amazon for £6 which is, to me, a huge bargain.At this price it is to be highly recommended.

Different extras to UK release apart from that looks the same to me Audio Commentary with Director Tobe Hooper, moderated by filmmaker Tim Sullivan The Barker Speaks! - An interview with actor Kevin Conway Something Wicked This Way Comes – An all-new interview with Executive Producer Mark L. Lester Carnival Music – An interview with Composer John Beal Audio Interview with actor William Finley Deleted Scenes Theatrical Trailer TV & Radio Spots

A creepy and enjoyable film, The Funhouse shared a double bill in 1981 with My Bloody Valentine.No gore to be found here, and what once was an 'X' film now comes in for a 15cert.Excellent sinister soundtrack score accompanies the animatronic horrors of the Funhouse.Picture is 2:35.1 widescreen (Good clean picture)Sound 2.0 stereo