Depending on who you ask, “Don’t Open Till Christmas” is either a trainwreck or an entertaining sleazy slasher perfect for some merry mayhem.
We celebrate the holiday season with The Professor’s choice this week, “Don’t Open Till Christmas” (1984). Join the Spookshow gang for this British Christmas slasher from director/star Edmund Purdom.
Don’t Open Till Christmas, written by Derek Ford and Alan Birkinshaw, follows a mysterious killer murdering Santa Claus impersonators in London during Christmastime.
The film was notoriously plagued with production problems and behind-the-scenes drama more horrific than anything that happens onscreen. Principal photography began in December 1982 and concluded in early 1984. Conflicts arose from the start between the producers and the director/star, Edmund Purdom. These issues would constantly result in filming dates being delayed and scheduling issues.
Eventually, Purdom quit the production, and writer Derek Ford was hired to take over the directing, but he was dismissed after only two days. The film’s editor, Ray Selfie, was then hired afterward to direct, and Alan Birkinshaw was hired to rewrite most of the script.
Because of Purdom’s departure, many scenes in the movie had to be reshot or cut altogether. This resulted in the recasting of numerous characters since many original actors were not available to return for reshoots.
Purdom would eventually return to the production to finish directing and reprising his role as Inspector Harris. This resulted in the production using the original ending written before Purdom’s departure.
On a sad footnote, Alan Lake, who portrays Giles Harrison, committed suicide shortly before the film was released in the wake of the death of his wife Diana Dors earlier in 1984.
ABOUT THE SHOW
The Spookshow is a collection of guys (and, now, one incredible lady!) with varying degrees of Horror fandom. Since 2018, we’ve reviewed Horror, Cult, Action flicks, and, of course, total crap, so you don’t have to, but we encourage you to nonetheless. If you’ve listened to us before, thank you! If you’re new to our brand of stupidity, then welcome. We want you to enjoy watching these films with us; join us in having fun with them & learning about them as well.
Part of the Morbidly Beautiful Podcasting Network! Go to the all-new www.aaspookshow.com & join our Patreon for bonus episodes & content over at https://www.patreon.com/aaspookshow & follow us on Twitter @AASpookshow as well as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Slasher & our YouTube channel by searching All-American Spookshow Podcast. Email us at [email protected] with questions & comments, and be sure to leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts & Spotify!
LINKS: https://linktr.ee/aaspookshow
Horror/Cult Movie & TV Podcast!
Ep 209 City of the Living Dead (1980)
This week it’s Josh’s pick, and he went with a Spookshow first, a Lucio Fulci movie, “City of the Living Dead” (1980) aka “The Gates of Hell”!
Part of the Morbidly Beautiful Podcasting Network! Go to the all-new www.aaspookshow.com & join our Patreon for bonus episodes & content over at https://www.patreon.com/aaspookshow & follow us on Twitter @AASpookshow as well as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Slasher & our YouTube channel by searching All-American Spookshow Podcast. Email us at [email protected] with questions & comments, and be sure to leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts & Spotify! Here’s the link to the movie trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Z-G7Iwn3R0&t=9s
LINKS: https://linktr.ee/aaspookshow
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This week it’s Josh’s pick, and he went with a Spookshow first, a Lucio Fulci movie, “City of the Living Dead” (1980) aka “The Gates [...]
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In our latest Cannon Fodder installment, we watch the Cannon Films classic starring Sylvester Stallone, “Cobra” (1986)! We’re joined again by Cannon Film Guide author [...]
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This week it’s Will’s choice and he went with one of the more polarizing movies of 2023 “Skinamarink”! Part of the Morbidly Beautiful Podcasting [...]
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