Fade to Black (1980) Horror Movie Review

by Ronnie Angel
(Washington, USA)

Released: October 14, 1980
Directed by: Vernon Zimmerman
Written By: Vernon Zimmerman
Starring:

Dennis Christopher as Eri Binford
Tim Thomerson as Jerry Moriarty
Gwynne Gilford as Offier Anne Oshenbull
Norman Burton as Marty Berger
Mickey Rourke as Richie


Here's a novel concept sure to interest any horror freak: a horror movie about a horror movie freak. Actually, not just a horror movie freak, but a movie freak in general, particularly classic black white movies. I'm sure many of you who watch this little overlooked film may be able to identify with the main character. I did!

Of all the movies to come out during the ‘80s slasher craze, Fade To Black manages to separate itself from the rest of the pack, and it’s one of the few I consider unique in both storyline and killer profile. Others are Bloody Birthday (1981), Fatal Games (1984), Chopping Mall (1986) and Tourist Trap (1986).

Our main character and killer in Fade To Black, Eric Binford is one creepy little bastard. The actor portraying Eric with psychotic glee may be familiar to horror fans as Dennis Christopher, known for his role as Eddie in Stephen King's It (1990), among other things. Eric is a movie nerd on an extreme level, living with his crippled Aunt Stella, watching old movies ‘til the wee hours, chain smoking, being antisocial and spewing enough random old movie quotes to make Goldust from WWE proud. Eric's life revolves around movies. He even works at a movie distribution company. Eric gets picked on a lot, at home and at work, but honestly I can't blame those who do. One of them is a co-worker played by famous movie tough guy Mickey Rourke, in one of his first film roles.

Life looks up when Eric meets Marilyn, a beautiful Aussie Marilyn Monroe lookalike played by future Playboy playmate Linda Kerridge. Interesting side note: it says in her bio that she is from a little place called Wagga Wagga, Australia. Doesn't that sound like a place Bugs Bunny would vacation? Somehow he wins Marilyn over, either with his awkwardness or his cool scooter but not for long, and when she eventually stands him up on a date, he snaps like a rubber band.

After killing mean ol' Aunt Stella by pushing her down the stairs and making it look like an accident, Eric starts to really slip over the edge, taking on the personality of his favorite movie characters and laughing constantly in a creepy way. Eric begins dressing like these characters when he takes revenge on those who are mean to him. Some disguises are very cool - Dracula, Hopalong Cassidy, The Mummy, a 1930s era tommy gun sporting mobster – all helping him commit his dirty deeds. One of my favorite scenes is when he Eric dressed as Dracula, enjoying a late night showing of Night Of The Living Dead (1968) in a crowded theater. A very nice nod to classic horror.

Another scene I really like is Rourke's death scene. Very well done. While the killings aren't necessarily gory or too frightening, they are interesting. Throughout the murders, Eric stalks and continues to obsess over Marilyn and these scenes are among the most disturbing in the film. Pretty soon, Eric becomes widely known as the Celluloid Killer and hatches a final plan to hook up with his dream girl, even with the cops and an odd coke-snorting police psychologist hot on his trail. The ending is superb and takes place, appropriately, at the landmark Mann's Chinese Theater in Hollywood.

Fade To Black is a fun little film I believe all horror movie freaks should have on their shelf. It was relatively hard to come by at the time of this writing and expensive. It's odd how such a movie can fall so far under the radar, especially with a big name star like Rourke in it. Hopefully one of these days, maybe even with my help, the masses may rediscover this lost horror gem.