Alice Oscura, Featured Writer
Disclaimer: The following contains facts and information gathered from well documented interviews behind the scenes of the film.
“Ki…ki…ki…ma…ma…ma”…there isn’t an avid horror fan that doesn’t know what follows that iconic sound. Usually it’s a machete welding zombie wearing a hockey mask! This year marks the 45th anniversary since the iconic slasher Friday the 13th (1980) was released in theaters. And despite the fact that it was nominated for Worst Picture at the first annual Razzie Awards in 1981 (Editor Jules: How dare they?!) , it is considered a classic horror slasher film with an enormous cult following.
The original film was released on May 9th in 1980 and the script was heavily inspired by the immense success of another cult horror film, Halloween (1978). It was directed and produced by Sean S. Cunningham (The Last House on the Left, 1972) and written by Victor Miller (A Stranger Is Watching, 1982). The filmed spawned a franchise consisting of 12 films (including crossover Freddy vs. Jason), a tv series (in name only), video games, comic books, novels and an incredible paraphernalia of merchandise and collectibles.
The plot follows a group of teenaged camp counselors who are in the process of preparing to reopen a once abandoned summer camp named Camp Crystal Lake nicknamed “Camp Blood”. An ominous feeling constantly hangs unto the atmosphere as the camp had been closed 20 years ago due to murders that had occurred on the grounds. They soon begin to get viciously murdered one by one by an unseen maniac lurking within the shadows.
Keeping in mind the impact of the film on the horror industry, let’s celebrate this landmark anniversary by exploring thirteen (13) interesting/fun facts behind the scenes of this well-loved fan favourite horror.
- Location, Location, Location
The film location is a currently active Boy Scout campground named No-Be-Bo-Sco in Blairstown, New Jersey. There’s even an official website nobebosco.org. Check it out if you don’t believe me!
2. Son of a Crooner
The actor who played the role of who played camp counselor, maintenance guy and Mrs Voorhrees’ final victim Bill (Harry Crosby), is is the fifth son of legendary American singer Bill Crosby, Harry Crosby. He is currently an investment banker after having left his career of acting behind in 1984.
3. Direction Displeasure
Writer Victor Miller was displeased with the general direction of the Friday the 13th franchise. His intention always was to have it be a stand-alone film with Jason remaining dead from the beginning.
4. ‘Garbage Script’
Actress Betsy Palmer (Mrs. Voorhees) thought that the script was garbage and only took the role because she desperately needed to replace her car. Little did she expect that it would be her most famous role to date.
5. Jason Rocks
The actor who is shown as young Jason drowning in the lake, Ari Lehman went on to pursue a musical career in punk rock and heavy metal. Lehman named one of his bands “First Jason” in 2004 based upon his role as Jason Voorhees in the original film.
6. Campfire Songs
The cast and crew were entertained by American musician and singer Lou Reed (The Velvet Underground) during filming because he owned a farm nearby and just came to hang out around the set.
7. Wait for it
The now iconic jump scare in the final sequence of the film was a last-minute addition made by make-up effects artist Tom Savini who had recently seen the supernatural horror Carrie (1976) and wanted to mimic the effect for the audience.
8. Too Bloody Long
Screenwriter Victor Miller had a totally different movie title when he wrote the script in 1979, Long Night at Camp Blood. It was considered too lengthy and the director already had the name Friday the 13th chosen long before the script was even written.
9. Maniac Method
Betsy Palmer was a method actor who wished to know more about the backstory for Mrs. Voorhees so she came up with one. Pamela Voorhees detested premarital sex because she had her son Jason out of wedlock which caused her parents to disown her for her sins. By doing so, she helped boost the popularity of one of the most famous slasher tropes by having the good girl survive the massacre.
10. Six Degrees of Skewering Kevin Bacon
Kevin Bacon’s iconic death sequence almost didn’t happen because the scene proved to be a much more complicated process to achieve and took many uncomfortable hours of prop positioning, malfunctioning equipment and planning.
11. Who’s Cooking? Savini!
The pizza ovens at the campground were used to bake many of the most gruesome special effects pieces created by legendary makeup effects artist Tom Savini.
12. Going once, going twice…
Due to the immense financial success of Halloween (1978) there was an all-out bidding war between movie studios Paramount Pictures, Warner Bros. and United Artistes in order to acquire the distribution rights for Friday the 13th.
13. The OTHER Friday the 13th
There was another movie titled Friday the 13th that was released in 1979 and although their producers attempted to sue over copyright infringement the lawsuit never proceeded and the film was renamed Friday the 13th: The Orphan now commonly known as just The Orphan. I suspect that money had a lot to do with influencing that particular decision. There was ultimately no competition between the two films in terms of how it performed at the box office. One guess which of the two Friday the 13th films came out on top.
So, there you have it. Did you know any of the above facts? There’s lots more to be found online. Although the original Friday the 13th is not considered the strongest entry in the franchise, the film is considered a cult classic as it is one of the specially chosen slasher movies that has paved the path of inspiration for many modern day horror films.
And you fan slash your way through more Friday the 13th articles below:
Alice has an old soul and a curious mind. I believe that anyone can be a hero and that the good guys should always win! I dislike cruelty to animals and think that they have far superior qualities to humans. My motto is there is no future without the past. I also have a weird penchant for Paranormal TV shows even though the slightest sound makes me jump. I enjoy writing reviews and throwing in fun facts to pique the readers’ curiosity. My ultimate goal in life would be to become a published writer one day. Read More