Black Christmas

I'm not a fan of horror films, but I really liked Black Christmas (1974, directed by Bob Clark) when I first saw it 29 years ago today.

It's a creepy and suspenseful film - a stalking killer is calling from inside the house! - with a plot that may seem cliched now, but was daringly original three decades ago. The Canadian-made flick used innovative techniques like POV shots, and eerie music. A strong cast, including Olivia Hussey, Margot Kidder, Keir Dullea and John Saxon give strong performances.

Black Christmas inspired movies like Halloween and Friday The 13th, and a whole sub-genre of horror flicks, but it is largely forgotten. A new DVD edition is out this month, which will includetwo newly-discovered original scenes with a new vocal soundtrack, "The 12 Days of Black Christmas" featurette, interview segments with Olivia Hussey and Margot Kidder, and a midnight screening Q&A with John Saxon, Bob Clark, and Carl Zittrer.

There's a remake out this month as well, but I am quite sure it will be far inferior. But perhaps it will create some more interest in the original.

Note: Director Bob Clark went on to do Porky's and the holiday classic A Christmas Story.