{"id":11867,"date":"2010-07-27T13:19:57","date_gmt":"2010-07-27T20:19:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=11867"},"modified":"2022-06-04T16:15:47","modified_gmt":"2022-06-04T23:15:47","slug":"black-christmassilent-night-evil-nightstranger-in-the-house-1974","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=11867","title":{"rendered":"Black Christmas\/Silent Night, Evil Night\/Stranger in the House (1974)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>&#8220;Could that really be just one person?&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/07\/Black-Christmas-Poster.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/07\/Black-Christmas-Poster-207x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"207\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-64516\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/07\/Black-Christmas-Poster-207x300.jpg 207w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/07\/Black-Christmas-Poster-88x128.jpg 88w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/07\/Black-Christmas-Poster-186x270.jpg 186w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/07\/Black-Christmas-Poster.jpg 339w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 207px) 100vw, 207px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Synopsis:<\/strong><br \/>\nA disturbed killer stalks a group of sorority sisters &#8212; including Olivia Hussey, Margot Kidder, Andrea Martin, and Lynne Griffin &#8212; over the Christmas holidays.\n<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>\n<strong>Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Detectives and Private Eyes<\/li>\n<li>Horror<\/li>\n<li>John Saxon Films<\/li>\n<li>Keir Dullea Films<\/li>\n<li>Margot Kidder Films<\/li>\n<li>Serial Killers<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Response to Peary&#8217;s Review: <\/strong><br \/>\nExpertly shot, edited, and scored, this &#8220;atmospheric chiller&#8221; &#8212; featuring a &#8220;sympathetic performance by Hussey, and strong direction by Bob Clark&#8221;: <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/07\/Black-Christmas-Hussey.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/07\/Black-Christmas-Hussey-1024x553.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"346\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-64519\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/07\/Black-Christmas-Hussey-1024x553.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/07\/Black-Christmas-Hussey-300x162.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/07\/Black-Christmas-Hussey-128x69.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/07\/Black-Christmas-Hussey-768x415.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/07\/Black-Christmas-Hussey-1536x829.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/07\/Black-Christmas-Hussey-500x270.png 500w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/07\/Black-Christmas-Hussey.png 1847w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&#8212; is now widely acknowledged as the forerunner of such iconic slasher films as John Carpenter&#8217;s <a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=38015\"><em>Halloween<\/em> (1978)<\/a>. Indeed, though it may seem filled with cliches of the genre (i.e., the killer calling from within the house, point-of-view camera work from the killer&#8217;s perspective): <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/07\/Black-Christmas-Killers-Perspective.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/07\/Black-Christmas-Killers-Perspective-1024x561.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"351\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-64521\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/07\/Black-Christmas-Killers-Perspective-1024x561.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/07\/Black-Christmas-Killers-Perspective-300x164.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/07\/Black-Christmas-Killers-Perspective-128x70.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/07\/Black-Christmas-Killers-Perspective-768x421.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/07\/Black-Christmas-Killers-Perspective-1536x841.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/07\/Black-Christmas-Killers-Perspective-493x270.png 493w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/07\/Black-Christmas-Killers-Perspective.png 1853w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>.. it was seminal in bringing such tropes to the screen. Certain subplots and performances fall completely flat &#8212; I could do without Marian Waldman&#8217;s irritating portrayal as the girls&#8217; imbibing house mother, for instance:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/07\/Black-Christmas-Waldman2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/07\/Black-Christmas-Waldman2-1024x551.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"344\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-64523\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/07\/Black-Christmas-Waldman2-1024x551.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/07\/Black-Christmas-Waldman2-300x161.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/07\/Black-Christmas-Waldman2-128x69.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/07\/Black-Christmas-Waldman2-768x413.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/07\/Black-Christmas-Waldman2-1536x826.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/07\/Black-Christmas-Waldman2-502x270.png 502w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/07\/Black-Christmas-Waldman2.png 1835w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&#8212; but there are more than enough thrills and surprises here to scare the pants off most viewers (including me). As Peary notes, the &#8220;twist ending is a bit frustrating&#8221;, but Clark does a nice job keeping us on our toes as to the identity of the &#8220;insane murderer&#8221;. Be forewarned that the killer&#8217;s phone calls (remastered after filming to add even more obscenity) really are disturbing. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Note:<\/strong> In the years since Peary&#8217;s book was published, this film has become a true cult classic for horror fans, even meriting a fan website at one point. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Redeeming Qualities and Moments: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Many genuinely freaky images and sequences<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/07\/Black-Christmas-Scary.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/07\/Black-Christmas-Scary-1024x567.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"354\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-64520\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/07\/Black-Christmas-Scary-1024x567.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/07\/Black-Christmas-Scary-300x166.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/07\/Black-Christmas-Scary-128x71.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/07\/Black-Christmas-Scary-768x425.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/07\/Black-Christmas-Scary-1536x850.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/07\/Black-Christmas-Scary-488x270.png 488w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/07\/Black-Christmas-Scary-1038x576.png 1038w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/07\/Black-Christmas-Scary.png 1813w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Atmospheric cinematography<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/07\/Black-Christmas-Fire.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/07\/Black-Christmas-Fire-1024x570.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"356\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-64522\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/07\/Black-Christmas-Fire-1024x570.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/07\/Black-Christmas-Fire-300x167.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/07\/Black-Christmas-Fire-128x71.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/07\/Black-Christmas-Fire-768x428.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/07\/Black-Christmas-Fire-1536x856.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/07\/Black-Christmas-Fire-485x270.png 485w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/07\/Black-Christmas-Fire-1038x576.png 1038w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/07\/Black-Christmas-Fire.png 1833w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Carl Zittrer&#8217;s creepy score<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Must See? <\/strong><br \/>\nYes, as a cult classic of the genre. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Categories<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Cult Movie<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Links: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0071222\/\">IMDb entry<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.moriareviews.com\/horror\/black-christmas-1974.htm\">Moria Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.eyeforfilm.co.uk\/reviews.php?id=2643\">Eye for Film Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/classic-horror.com\/reviews\/black_christmas_1974\">Classic Horror Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.qnetwork.com\/index.php?page=review&#038;id=1735\">Q Network Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.timeout.com\/movies\/black-christmas\">Time Out Capsule Review<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;Could that really be just one person?&#8221; Synopsis: A disturbed killer stalks a group of sorority sisters &#8212; including Olivia Hussey, Margot Kidder, Andrea Martin, and Lynne Griffin &#8212; over the Christmas holidays. Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors: Detectives and Private Eyes Horror John Saxon Films Keir Dullea Films Margot Kidder Films Serial Killers Response to Peary&#8217;s Review: Expertly shot, edited, and scored, this &#8220;atmospheric chiller&#8221; &#8212; featuring a &#8220;sympathetic performance by Hussey, and strong direction by Bob Clark&#8221;: &#8212;&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"><a class=\"btn btn-default\" href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=11867\"> Read More<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">  Read More<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-11867","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-responses-to-peary"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11867","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=11867"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11867\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":84623,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11867\/revisions\/84623"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=11867"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=11867"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=11867"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}