In Praise of Black Christmas

Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house

a creature was stirring...

If you love Christmas, and also love Halloween and horror flicks, if you haven't seen it already, you need to check out Black Christmas. 1974 Canadian psychological slasher flick combines some of the best elements from the horror genre set in a very seventies Christmas setting.

Keir Dullea

During their Christmas break, a group of sorority girls are stalked by a phone calling stranger.  The films inspiration comes from both an urban legend, 'The Babysitter and the Man Upstairs, and the true story of a series of murders that took place in the Westmount section of Montreal.  The movie was produced and director by Bob Clark, maybe best known for his work on the Porky's movie series.

Although Clark included a lot of nudity in his Porky's series, except for the brief flash of a police officer shot in the butt, there's no nudity in Black Christmas.  It wasn't missed, the move's creepy premise, setting and characters are all you need to quickly pull you in to the story.

Andrea Martin

The eclectic cast includes Canadian actors Margot Kidder, a hot young Art Hindle and an early performance from Andrea Martin.  I am huge fan of Martin, especially her role in Difficult People, and loved seeing her in the seventies flick.  Gilda Radner originally had Martin's role until being cast in Saturday Night Live, leading to her having to leave the film.

Art Hindle 

The film also stars Romeo and Juliette's Olivia Hussey and American actors Kier Dullea and John Saxton.   Marian Waldman Mrs. Mac, the girls housemother, but that role was originally offered to Bette Davis who ultimately turned it down.  Wladman was perfect in the role, but would have been great if Davis has been a part of the cult classic.

Keir Dullea plays Peter, the piano playing boyfriend of Jess. (Hussey)  One of the questions in the the film is whether it's Peter who is the one stalking Jess and her sorority sisters.  I won't spoil anything, but I will share more of Keir in a Blast From the Past post on Page 2 HERE:

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