TRICK OR TREAT 1986
Marc Price (Eddie Weinbauer), Tony Fields (Sammi Curr), Lisa Orgolini (Leslie Graham), Doug Savant (Tim Hainey), Elaine Joyce (Angie Weinbauer), Glen Morgan (Roger Mockus), Gene Simmons (Nuke), Ozzy Osbourne (Reverend Aaron Gilstrom)
Directed by Charles Martin Smith
THE SHORT VERSION: Heavy Metal and Horror are two genres that go great together like peanut butter and fudge. As a whole, the horror portion of this pairing isn't as heavy as the metal half is. Still, this combination has rarely been as good as it is in actor Charles Martin Smith’s directing debut. The lyrical hellscape is about Sammi Curr, a satanic shredder from beyond the grave who uses a bullied high schooler to exact revenge on the human race. Chock full of 80s iconography, metal band album covers, a rockin’ soundtrack by Fastway and cameos by Gene Simmons and Ozzy Osbourne, TRICK OR TREAT is a Halloween headbanging ball of 80s horror nirvana.
Eddie Weinbauer is a bullied and lonely high-schooler who loves heavy metal; and particularly the shock rock tunes of the anger-fueled frontman Sammi Curr. When his metal idol dies in a hotel fire, Eddie's DJ friend, Nuke, gifts him'Songs in the Key of Death', the satanic singer’s final, unreleased LP that, when played backwards, brings Curr back to life. Banned from playing a concert at a high school gymnasium when he was alive, the undead rocker manipulates Eddie in helping him get even with his tormentors. In reality, the anger-riddled rocker is only using him to exact his own Halloween Night revenge against the society that condemned him and his music.
The year 1986 was a transitional period for the horror genre. The first half of the decade was dominated by slasher movies. With few exceptions, horror was dark and sometimes unpleasant. By 1985 the genre began to gradually become lighter in tone with increasing amounts of comedy. TRICK OR TREAT (1986) falls in between the two even though the filmmakers were reticent to openly embrace the horror moniker. This was something else that was becoming like mold on the genre in 1986 with filmmakers refusing to admit they were making a horror movie.
It wasn't a genre-wide problem, but horror was largely losing sight of the fear factor. Advancements in makeup effects and other tech wizardry gave rise to spectacle-oriented set pieces and humor in the second half of the 80s. Two examples can be found among the major horror franchises: Jason Voorhees had transformed into bloodless corporatist horror while Freddy Krueger became a standup comedian. TRICK OR TREAT (not to be confused with 1982s TRICK OR TREATS) had a lot going for it, resonating with its story of teen angst, school cliques, heavy metal and revenge... if only it had angled for darker horror and had a bigger advertising campaign backing it up.
Other than a domestic VHS release from Lorimar Home Video in 1987, it's taken nearly 40 years for TRICK OR TREAT to reappear on a legitimate format in its home country of the United States. And aside from it being on the Most Wanted List for many cult film fans, it's been largely forgotten till now.
The film’s failure to find a wide audience during its theatrical run appears to have been due, in whole or in part, to the financial troubles of its studio.
Produced through Dino De Laurentiis's ill-fated DEG (De Laurentiis Entertainment Group), TOT was one of the first movies released by the company that would be bankrupt just two years later. Among their roster include the sought-after Schwarzenegger actioner RAW DEAL (1986), the awful MAXIMUM OVERDRIVE (1986) and the entertainingly bad KING KONG LIVES (1986); then there's acclaimed titles like MANHUNTER (1986) and BLUE VELVET (1986). The long gestating TAI-PAN (1986) had been in the planning stages from various film companies around the world since the mid 1970s. De Laurentiis spent a bundle on it and ended up suffering a $20+ million loss. DEG's best and best-known horror titles were the eagerly awaited EVIL DEAD 2 (1987), the inventive vampire outing NEAR DARK (1987) that barely got a release; and Stan Winston’s directing debut and Lance Henriksen’s leading role showcase PUMPKINHEAD (1988) which ended up being released by United Artists.
DEG was designed for smaller scale feature films, but even those didn't make much money. Meanwhile, the company's bigger-budgeted fare like KING KONG LIVES (1986) and the aforementioned epic disaster TAI-PAN (1986) helped bankrupt them. Even before DEG's early troubles, De Laurentiis had already produced a handful of box office failures like the big-budget SciFi epic DUNE (1984), the barbarian adventure RED SONJA (1985) and meager moneymakers like the Stephen King adaptations CAT'S EYE (1985) and SILVER BULLET (1985).
TRICK OR TREAT was arguably the most unique title on the company's slate for 1986 because it was built around a popular style of music that was in the news about as much as it was getting airplay on MTV (back when they played music). A horror movie about a music style known for its evocative lyrics and sinister imagery should’ve been a hit. Heavy Metal was both a profitable and a contentious property throughout the 1980s, and particularly in 1986. Horror movies, particularly slasher films with their teen-centric storylines, were ideal for good box office. If ever there was a horror flick with the potential for “satisfaction guaranteed” stamped on it, TRICK OR TREAT was that movie.
However, TOT was one of those pictures where the filmmakers wanted to avoid the horror label and especially any depiction of blood and gore. This was a sentiment shared by most of the production staff from producer Dino De Laurentiis to actor and first-time director Charles Martin Smith.
Makeup effects superstar Tom Savini was initially being considered as the film’s director. Since Savini was closely associated with creating some of the genres goriest makeup effects, the decision to avoid that kind of thing likely figured into the DEG execs going with Smith instead. Smith appears in the movie wearing a Groucho Marx get-up during the big gymnasium concert at the finale where he gets obliterated by Curr's literal electric guitar.
Prior to its release, Smith, in a Fangoria interview, referred to TRICK OR TREAT as “sort of a rock n’ roll monster movie” and emphasized the comical elements rather than promote it as a horror film. He disliked blood and gore and wanted to steer away from slasher style kills; so that’s why Sammi Curr’s victims are mostly fried, electrocuted or blown up without bloody body parts going everywhere.
Reading this in Fangoria magazine back in '86 that the filmmakers didn't have enough confidence to describe their production for what it was--a horror movie--was enough to take the wind out of any horror fan's sails. As a heavy metal horror film, it doesn't hit those 4-octave range high notes like Manowar's Eric Adams in his prime but it does succeed as a fitfully fun little rock anthem with some catchy riffs. Speaking of Manowar, some of that band's terminology they originated in 1984 about posers and false metal turn up in some of Eddie's dialog referencing the power of Curr's music.
A former SOLID GOLD dancer, Tony Fields was ideal to play the role of the undead metal singer. He expertly played the part, moved like a frontman and showcased acrobatic maneuvers that probably no other genuine rock band member could've pulled off. His other horror-themed credits were performing on MICHAEL JACKSON'S THRILLER (1983), an episode of WEREWOLF (1987-1988) and the season 3 episode of MONSTERS (1989-1991), 'Outpost'. Tony would die in 1995 at only 36 years of age. Oddly enough, Sammi Curr, the character he plays in the movie, died in a fire at the age of 38. He's so memorable in TRICK OR TREAT, it's a shame Tony Fields never headlined another horror film.
TRICK OR TREAT (1986) is an original idea but there's some familiar sounds among the handful of tracks on this cinematic album; most noticeably comparisons with Freddy Krueger. Two of TRICK OR TREAT's producers, Michael S. Murphey and Joel Soisson, had just completed A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET 2: FREDDY'S REVENGE (1985). Elements of that sequel made their way into TOT. In that film, the leading character is a troubled youth just as Weinbauer is. Additionally, in NIGHTMARE 2 they took Freddy out of the dream world and brought him into the real world; the same happens here. After Curr commits suicide, dying in a hotel room fire, he haunts Eddie Weinbauer initially through back-masked messages on his last, unreleased LP before emerging through his stereo speakers to take revenge on pretty much everybody within reach.
The NIGHTMARE connection became one of TRICK OR TREAT's few disadvantages. Instead of haunting your dreams it's your record player. The movie also doesn't go as far with its revenge concept as it could have. There's a great shot of Eddie standing on his porch with flames rising from two Jack-O-lanterns. As the camera slowly rests on his face, it looks like evil is about to overtake him. It never happens; nor is there a full-blown horror movie level revenge on those who bullied him. Instead, the filmmakers take a safer route and have their ostracized hero redeem himself early on, save the day and get the girl. There's nothing wrong with that, but one wonders how TOT would've turned out had those making it embraced the genre potential more than they did.
Sammi Curr has a demonic familiar, a gargoyle-looking monster called Skeezix. Inspired by Iron Maiden’s zombie mascot Eddie and built by SPX artist Kevin Yagher (the creator of Freddy's makeup in NIGHTMARE 2), you only see Skeezix for one, albeit memorable, sequence where he enters both the real world and the body of the unsuspecting girlfriend of Eddie's high school enemy via a Walkman tape player. This is the farthest Eddie's revenge goes in the movie before he reverses course and, instead of further rebelling against the preppies that torment him, he turns against his manipulative metal hero.
Marc Price plays Eddie Weinbauer with just the right amount of loneliness, pity, then confidence and finally regret for bringing the raging metal maniac, Sammi Curr, back to life. He was well known at the time for playing Skippy on FAMILY TIES (1982-1989) but was making the move into motion pictures. TRICK OR TREAT was his first leading role, although he co-starred in a rock n roll teen comedy the previous year called THE ZOO GANG (1985). He co-starred with Kevin Dillon in the action film THE RESCUE (1988) and poked fun of his FAMILY TIES fame in the lead role of Michael in KILLER TOMATOES EAT FRANCE (1992).
Despite TRICK OR TREAT's small scale promotional campaign, it had some high-profile music industry figures acting in it—namely Gene Simmons and Ozzy Osbourne.
Simmons plays a local radio DJ by the name of Norman “Nuke” Taurog; in the movie, he's only billed and referred to as Nuke. He seems to know more about what’s coming than he lets on. Nuke gives Eddie the demo LP of Sammi Curr's last and unreleased album having made a tape of it to play at midnight on Halloween Night. When Eddie and Leslie make it to the radio station at the end, Nuke is nowhere to be found. His true nature is ambiguous but there’s certainly an ominous quality about him. That Simmons only worked a day or two on the movie helps add to the mystery of his character and his lack of closure.
Simmons, most famously known as The Demon, the bassist for KISS, was approached to play Sammi Curr. He passed on the role, preferring to play the disc jockey Nuke instead. Simmons had previously played the main antagonist in the 1984 SciFi thriller RUNAWAY starring Tom Selleck and directed by Michael Crichton. In it, Simmons plays a technological terrorist who creates robotic assassins and other lethal weaponry to wreak havoc. His first movie role impressed critics. He would've made a good Sammi Curr, but it worked out for the best when Tony Fields got the part.
Ozzy Osbourne hadn’t acted in a movie before and was reportedly nervous about it. He warmed up to the job when he was allowed to ad-lib his dialog and just run with it. In real life, Osbourne was this heavy metal rocker prone to all sorts of antics. The most controversial incident occurred on January 20th, 1982 when, during a concert, a fan threw a bat onstage. Thinking it was a fake, Osbourne bit the head off what turned out to be a real bat. The shock rocker then underwent a series of rabies shots. Director Smith recreates this moment in his movie by having Sammi Curr bite the head off a snake and drink its blood.
In a wild instance of role-reversal, Ozzy plays a preacher who rallies against the Devil’s music. Ozzy’s excellent in the role and has one of the most memorable death scenes in the movie. There's not much variance in the on-screen deaths, but the two that stand out both involve television sets. That there are two TV-related casualties fits with the time period considering MTV had debuted in 1981 and watching music videos had become as popular as listening to the songs themselves. (Ozzy with his 'The Ultimate Sin' album released earlier in 1986 standing alongside Tony Fields as Sammi Curr in promotion for TRICK OR TREAT)
In the first, Ozzy's on the tube proclaiming he's going to bring down Heavy Metal. Sammi's materialized in Eddie's room and scrapes his hand across the television, distorting the picture that stretches Ozzy's face, painfully killing him where he sits in a TV studio some distance away.
In the other, Sammi has materialized through a radio in Roger's house. He sees Alice Nunn (Large Marge from PEE WEE'S BIG ADVENTURE [1985]) on the tube dissing on rock n roll. Sammi reaches into the set and pulls the hapless lady through it, holding her now burnt and charred remains in the air.
In articles of the time, it was stated that both Ozzy and Gene would be contributing music to the soundtrack as well as other bands including The Cramps and Fastway. Whether due to time and or budgetary reasons, Fastway ended up doing all the songs for the movie. Boasting multiple rocking tracks like the main title song 'Trick or Treat' and 'Stand Up', the soundtrack album wasn't a smash but was comparably more successful than the movie.
To even more heavily emphasize the subject matter, the filmmakers had originally envisioned an actual heavy metal singer playing the head banging hell-monger. When the storyline was presented to metal musicians like Simmons and Blacky Lawless of W.A.S.P., there was an immediate aversion to the material; allegedly, the feeling was the film would potentially attach an even greater negative stigma to the immensely popular, if controversial, musical genre due to the satanic and sexual imagery on the albums and the lyrics written for the songs.
One of the key events that gave life to TRICK OR TREAT occurred the year prior in 1985. The P.M.R.C. (Parents Music Resource Center), a bi-partisan committee co-founded by Democrat Tipper Gore (the wife of Al Gore), stirred the ire of numerous rock and metal bands to the extent more than two dozen of them included lyrics in their songs taking jabs at her. One of the lighter examples was a line in the 1990 Cinderella song ‘Shelter Me’ that goes, “Tipper led the war against the record industry, She said she saw the Devil on her MTV”. Another was a profanity-fueled song from Warrant on their CHERRY PIE album from 1990 called 'Ode to Tipper Gore'.
There was a crusade by the P.M.R.C. and religious groups to go after rock bands, some of which weren’t even in the metal genre. Concern over the effects of rock n roll music on the younger generation goes back to at least Elvis Presley, when parents took issue with his onstage gyrations in the late 1950s. It's normal to be concerned with what your kids are watching or listening to. In the end, warning stickers on albums and cassette tapes wasn't banning anything it was just alerting parents as to what was on the record or tape their child would be listening to. This sort of thing only increases sales, so the furor over the hearings was little more than theatrics from all involved; these stunts predictably worked in the musicians' favor. Without the nationwide outrage, there likely would never have been a TRICK OR TREAT (1986).
Backmasking hidden messages on records had been around for decades but became national news in the 80s and 90s. Many bands like Twisted Sister, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden and AC/DC were accused of having hidden satanic messages in their music. Most of these accusations were ridiculous and without merit although some messages turned out to be legit--humorous and harmless as they were. But no hidden devil worship messages threatening to take over the minds of children that played the records backward.
This topic was the perfect setup for a horror movie designed for teenagers. Sadly, the advertising just wasn’t there, and many didn’t know the movie was even out. The subject matter could have also played against the movie with its target audience assuming it was just another attack on the music genre they loved.
Even though it wasn’t a hit at the box office, TRICK OR TREAT inspired several more heavy metal horror combos. In 1987 there was ROCK N ROLL NIGHTMARE; in 1988 came BLACK ROSES; there was also HARD ROCK NIGHTMARE and SLAUGHTERHOUSE ROCK in 1988; SHOCK’EM DEAD rocked out in 1991. There were a few other rock n horror movie crossovers before TOT like TERROR ON TOUR (1980) wherein fans of a KISS-style rock band are being murdered at the shows; and then there’s HARD ROCK ZOMBIES (1985), probably the wildest of the bunch that blends a metal band with zombies, werewolves and Adolph Hitler. Thirty years later came DEATHGASM, aka HEAVY METAL APOCALYPSE (2015), about a metal band that raises Hell on Earth after they uncover an ancient piece of sheet music called The Black Hymn that summons demons.
If you're looking for a much heavier metal horror film that goes as far as the music styling that inspired it, you won't find it here; what you will find is an entertaining, if mild, horror movie experience that successfully replicates a great time from the greatest era. For fans of 80s horror—and particularly those who lived through the decade—TRICK OR TREAT’s long-awaited release on blu-ray is a nostalgic, welcome return to a time of tape decks and turntables, when hair metal hit its zenith, and minor cult film gems like this can be discovered by new fans and revisited by old ones.
This review is representative of the Synapse 3-disc 4K UHD/blu-ray and soundtrack disc set limited to 6,666 units broken up into three slipcover versions at 2,222 each. new 4K restoration from the original 35mm negative; audio commentary with director Charles Martin Smith; making of documentary; Tribute to Tony Fields documentary; audio interviews; electronic press kit; Horror's Hallowed Grounds filming locations featurette; theatrical trailers; radio spots; Still Gallery; booklet; fan-made poster; six double-sided card set; Running time: 01:37:12
