[9]

As the horror genre shifted full-bore into gore and kill counts in the ’80s, Tom Holland (Child’s Play) wrote and directed this Valentine to a simpler, more classic way of spooky storytelling. Fright Night is about a high school boy (William Ragsdale) who discovers his next door neighbor (Chris Sarandon) is a vampire luring unsuspecting victims to his house. He can’t convince the police or even his friends (Amanda Bearse and Stephen Geoffreys) that it’s true, so he resorts to pleading with a down-on-his-luck TV horror host (Roddy McDowell) for help. Holland’s terrific script ratchets the tension nicely as Sarandon turns Geoffreys into his henchman, then sets his sights on Bearse, forcing Ragsdale and McDowell to summon the courage to brave Sarandon’s house of horrors and drive a stake into his heart.

Fright Night is so lovingly evoked, it steals my heart. You see it in the script and direction, and especially in the performances. Chris Sarandon is sex incarnate as ‘the vampire next door’, and the ever-endearing Roddy McDowall (Planet of the Apes) puts in a terrific turn as Peter Vincent, the vain horror host who manages to muster more courage than he ever thought possible. Stephen Geoffreys (a Tony award nominee prior to this film) is unforgettable as the quirky Evil Ed, the tragicomic ‘best friend’ character who delivers some of the film’s finest moments, both hysterical and heartbreaking. While charming characters seal the deal for Fright Night, the film is also bolstered by fun special effects, several great ’80s pop tunes, and a moody electronic score by Brad Fiedel (The Terminator). Fright Night is solid popcorn entertainment with artistry and personality that you can really sink your teeth into (pun intended).

With Jonathan Stark and Dorothy Fielding.