Franchise Crossover: Spend Friday the 13th In House
One of my all time favorite horror movies growing up and the victim of many, many multiple viewings is the 1986 classic House. I could not get enough of the silly characters, supernatural elements and akwardly tense moments that were all thrown together into one of the most entertaining movies I have ever seen. In a way, it reminds me of Evil Dead in tone and is a pleasure to watch even now. William Kat, to me, was absolutely perfect in this film and wish he would have done more in this genre, just not House 4.
Back in the 80’s when I first watched this movie, I never knew that so many people from the Friday the 13th franchise were involved in making this movie. One major player in the franchise would not even be a part of the Friday series until after House was released in theaters. If you do not know about everyone that was involved in making this movie, then you are in for a treat.
House was produced by Friday the 13th 1980 director Sean Cunningham and directed by Friday the 13th Part 2 and Part 3 director Steve Miner. Harry Manfredini also joins his Friday buds to help score House. His music is easily recognizable and has a distinct blend of his older music from Friday the 13th with a pinch of Swamp Thing and the beginnings of his more recent synthesizer heavy scores that we have come accustomed to in Jason Goes To Hell and Jason X.
There are a number of actors that make appearances in House. Two actors that were in previous Friday the 13th movies and one that would appear much later in the series. In House, Steve Susskind (Harold Part 3) plays Frank McGraw, William Kats’ agent/publicist. Ron Carroll (Sgt. Tierny, Friday the 13th 1980) plays a Policeman/Detective. Finally, in a very small role, Steven Williams (Creighton Duke Jason Goes To Hell) plays a policeman that is called to, what else, the House.
The last two crew members, for me, are the most intriguing of the entire crew. Dan Bradley performed stunts for the movie and took direction from the film’s Stunt Coordinator, Kane Hodder. Dan Bradley would play Jason in the paintball scene in Jason Lives the same year that House was released in theaters. Kane Hodder, of course would go on to play Jason two years after House in Friday the 13th Part 7: The New Blood.
I don’t think there is another movie made that contains so many Friday the 13th alumn on one crew. So, if you have never seen House or have not viewed the movie in a long time, I would log into NetFlix or Blockbuster and revisit a true horror classic.
The hollywood video by my house closed up last month. They had a huge selection of horror movies. House was one of them. I was able to buy it for $3. I grew up watching this movie as a kid and still enjoy it today. It has a great commentary with Steve Miner and Sean cunningham too. Great dvd worth buying all the way. It has been on my Amazon wishlist for awhile and I am so glad I saw it for $3 to buy.
Nice article Jason!
House was a pretty good movie…and part 2 wasn’t that bad either.
I rented this probably a year ago from NetFlix, didn’t notice all the “Friday” alumni in it…thanks.
Another really interesting movie to watch from the 80’s is “Spring Break”. Directed by Sean Cunningham and scored by Harry Manfredini…although it is a “teen sex comedy” from the 80’s you can really here the influence of Harry’s score in certain parts. It’s still available to Watch Instantly on NetFlix.
I love this movie. It has always been one of my favorite horror movies. Everything worked in it. William Katt was a great actor. I loved him in the Greatest American Hero, Carrie, and this movie. I wish he could have been in more horror stuff… he got the job done well. Richard Moll, (Bull from Night Court), was in this… and his role rocks. Who could forget the old Cheers favorite as a neighbor?
House is a great horror movie. A must see for horror fans everywhere!
Kane Hodder also plays a part in House2
This is an awesome movie! I too did not realize how many people from Friday the 13th were in the movie. Great find!
Yea, this movie is a lot of fun. SPAZ, you’re right about Kane an there are other Friday actors in that movie as well!
I freakin love that movie. Also in House 2 The Second Story, Lar Park Lincoln (Tina, FT13th part 7) plays one of the main characters. And once again Kane Hodder is the stunt cordinator, and has a cameo as the guy in the monkey suit.
Lar was great in the movie. A completely different character than what we see in The New Blood.
Picked up “House” off of Amazon a few months ago, and was quickly reminded how much i loved this movie. Of course, it plays much better on a 40″ flat screen than it did on a 27″ box tv back in the days, but you still need a good story, intriguing characters and some good old fashioned 80’s fright for that classic horror experience, and “House” definitely delivered it.
I just bought this one and House II from Overstock.com about a month ago. I actually forgot how good these were, the first one being the best one. I also have to say that yes, it looks TONS better on a flat panel TV than it does on a wimpy box.