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Six Degrees of ‘Clue’: A Comic Masterpiece with Serious Horror Connections

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In 1985, Paramount Pictures released what may very well be the finest comedic ensemble film the world has ever seen. It was called Clue, and it was based on the board game by the same name which had been a household staple since its release in 1949.

Though it wasn’t initially a success in theaters, the farcical mystery has gone on to garner cult status with a following that would make John Waters proud.

What many people may not know is that Clue, in a very Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon way, has ties to some of the greatest horror and horror comedy masterpieces of the last century.

Don’t believe me? Take a look at the list of six films below, and see for yourself! With all of these talented horror minds, Clue could have been a very different movie!

An American Werewolf in London

Griffin Dunne and David Naughton in An American Werewolf in London

Perhaps it’s not such a stretch to find out that An American Werewolf in London is connected to Clue. The classic werewolf film wasn’t short on winks and nods to its audience. Let’s not forget that hilarious scene in the British porn theater!

The truth is the two films share a common father of sorts. John Landis, who wrote the screenplay for Werewolf, also wrote the story that Clue‘s screenplay is based upon. This also ties Clue to two episodes of the often terrifying “Masters of Horror” television series and Twilight Zone: The Movie.

Halloween (1978)

Jamie Lee Curtis as Laurie Strode in 1978’s Halloween

Debra Hill was John Carpenter’s writing and producing partner when they brought Michael Myers into the horror world with the classic film Halloween. She would go on to also write The Fog (1980) as well as Escape from L.A. in 1996.

It just so happens that Hill also produced Clue.

Want a fun mental picture? Imagine Wadsworth (Tim Curry) producing evidence that Michael Myers had killed Mr. Boddy…in the kitchen…with a knife.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show

Tim Curry in The Rocky Horror Picture Show

Speaking of Tim Curry…

They say you can tell a lot about a person from the first film in which they saw Tim Curry. For me, it was Clue. It would be years before I discovered The Rocky Horror Picture Show, and yet both classic cult films share the same star.

Now if only Curry could have had a bigger musical number in Clue than “For She’s a Jolly Good Fellow” with the rest of the cast!

Young Frankenstein

Teri Garr, Gene Wilder, and Marty Feldman in Young Frankenstein

One of my favorite things about Clue is the score. The driving strings, dramatic horns, and tone that runs from playful to dramatic in a matter of a few bars make for a soundscape reminiscent of the old Agatha Christie whodunits.

It was no surprise to learn, then, that composer John Morris created the scores for both Clue and Mel Brooks’ classic horror homage/spoof Young Frankenstein!

Audrey Rose

Susan Swift in Audrey Rose

Does anyone else love Audrey Rose? The 1977 film starring Marsha Mason and Anthony Hopkins centered on a young girl haunted by her past life and the terror her parents experience as she seems destined to die young, just as she did in that former existence.

The film was not only terrifying but also really beautiful largely due to the man behind the cinematography: Mr. Victor J. Kemper.

Kemper was also the cinematographer on Clue, making sure all those scenes in the mansion were beautifully lit and filmed. The Kemper connection also makes Clue the distant cousin of Eyes of Laura Mars and Magic (which also starred Anthony Hopkins)!

Jaws

Jeffrey Kramer in Jaws

It wasn’t only the big stars or the people behind the scenes who connect Clue to the horror world, however. Some of those ladies and gents in the smaller roles have solid horror pedigrees.

Take Jeffrey Kramer, for instance. Kramer was the poor stranded motorist who ended up getting his head bashed with the lead pipe. It just so happens that Kramer also played Deputy Hendricks in the classic shark features, Jaws and Jaws 2, AND to add another fun layer, Kramer also had a role in Halloween II which connects him to Debra Hill and Halloween!

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Trailer for ‘The Exorcism’ Has Russell Crowe Possessed

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The latest exorcism movie is about to drop this summer. It’s aptly titled The Exorcism and it stars Academy Award winner turned B-movie savant Russell Crowe. The trailer dropped today and by the looks of it, we are getting a possession movie that takes place on a movie set.

Just like this year’s recent demon-in-media-space film Late Night With the Devil, The Exorcism happens during a production. Although the former takes place on a live network talk show, the latter is on an active sound stage. Hopefully, it won’t be entirely serious and we’ll get some meta chuckles out of it.

The film will open in theaters on June 7, but since Shudder also acquired it, it probably won’t be long after that until it finds a home on the streaming service.

Crowe plays, “Anthony Miller, a troubled actor who begins to unravel while shooting a supernatural horror film. His estranged daughter, Lee (Ryan Simpkins), wonders if he’s slipping back into his past addictions or if there’s something more sinister at play. The film also stars Sam Worthington, Chloe Bailey, Adam Goldberg and David Hyde Pierce.”

Crowe did see some success in last year’s The Pope’s Exorcist mostly because his character was so over-the-top and infused with such comical hubris it bordered on parody. We will see if that is the route actor-turned-director Joshua John Miller takes with The Exorcism.

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Win a Stay at The Lizzie Borden House From Spirit Halloween

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lizzie borden house

Spirit Halloween has declared that this week marks the start of spooky season and to celebrate they are offering fans a chance to stay at the Lizzie Borden House with so many perks Lizzie herself would approve.

The Lizzie Borden House in Fall River, MA is claimed to be one of the most haunted houses in America. Of course one lucky winner and up to 12 of their friends will find out if the rumors are true if they win the grand prize: A private stay in the notorious house.

“We are delighted to work with Spirit Halloween to roll out the red carpet and offer the public a chance to win a one-of-a-kind experience at the infamous Lizzie Borden House, which also includes additional haunted experiences and merchandise,” said Lance Zaal, President & Founder of US Ghost Adventures.

Fans can enter to win by following Spirit Halloween‘s Instagram and leaving a comment on the contest post from now through April 28.

Inside the Lizzie Borden House

The prize also includes:

An exclusive guided house tour, including insider insight around the murder, the trial, and commonly reported hauntings

A late-night ghost tour, complete with professional ghost-hunting gear

A private breakfast in the Borden family dining room

A ghost hunting starter kit with two pieces of Ghost Daddy Ghost Hunting Gear and a lesson for two at US Ghost Adventures Ghost Hunting Course

The ultimate Lizzie Borden gift package, featuring an official hatchet, the Lizzie Borden board game, Lily the Haunted Doll, and America’s Most Haunted Volume II

Winner’s choice of a Ghost Tour experience in Salem or a True Crime experience in Boston for two

“Our Halfway to Halloween celebration provides fans an exhilarating taste of what’s to come this fall and empowers them to start planning for their favorite season as early as they please,” said Steven Silverstein, CEO of Spirit Halloween. “We have cultivated an incredible following of enthusiasts who embody the Halloween lifestyle, and we’re thrilled to bring the fun back to life.”

Spirit Halloween is also preparing for their retail haunted houses. On Thursday, August 1 their flagship store in Egg Harbor Township, NJ. will officially open to start off the season. That event usually draws in hordes of people eager to see what new merch, animatronics, and exclusive IP goods will be trending this year.

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’28 Years Later’ Trilogy Taking Shape With Serious Star Power

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28 years later

Danny Boyle is revisiting his 28 Days Later universe with three new films. He will direct the first, 28 Years Later, with two more to follow. Deadline is reporting that sources say Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Ralph Fiennes have been cast for the first entry, a sequel to the original. Details are being kept under wraps so we don’t know how or if the first original sequel 28 Weeks Later fits into the project.

Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Ralph Fiennes

Boyle will direct the first movie but it’s unclear which role he will take on in the subsequent films. What is known is Candyman (2021) director Nia DaCosta is scheduled to direct the second film in this trilogy and that the third will be filmed immediately afterward. Whether DaCosta will direct both is still unclear.

Alex Garland is writing the scripts. Garland is having a successful time at the box office right now. He wrote and directed the current action/thriller Civil War which was just knocked out of the theatrical top spot by Radio Silence’s Abigail.

There is no word yet on when, or where, 28 Years Later will start production.

28 Days Later

The original film followed Jim (Cillian Murphy) who wakes from a coma to find that London is currently dealing with a zombie outbreak.

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