Blu-Ray Review: ‘The Prowler’ Doesn’t Quite Merit Cult-Classic Status

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CHICAGO – When did all slasher pics from the early ’80s become “cult classics”? You will find very few people as well-versed in the sub-genre as this writer who will gladly contrast and compare “Friday the 13th” sequels or discuss the merits of “April Fool’s Day,” “Basket Case,” and “My Bloody Valentine.” And yet not every film from the era deserves a cult following merely because it has grisly deaths, some T&A, and a twist ending. For example, take “The Prowler,” now out on Blu-ray from the great Blue Underground.

HollywoodChicago.com Blu-Ray Rating: 2.0/5.0
Blu-Ray Rating: 2.0/5.0

Also known as “Rosemary’s Killer,” a better title since “The Prowler” makes almost no sense in context, the 1981 slasher pic from Joseph Zito was released near the height of the slasher movie craze as makeup gurus like the great Tom Savini played with new ways to gruesomely display the death of the latest starlet. Savini’s work on “The Prowler” is easily the best thing about the movie. Director Zito would go on to direct “Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter,” one of the lesser Jason movies but still a step up from this mess.

The Prowler was released on Blu-ray on July 27th, 2010
The Prowler was released on Blu-ray on July 27th, 2010
Photo credit: Blue Underground

“The Prowler” opens in 1945 in the small town of Avalon Bay. A young woman and her date are brutally murdered by a masked man in a pitchfork who we’re meant to believe is a deranged soldier home after World War II. Flash forward almost four decades and, of course, just in time for another dance to be stalked by a serial killer. Seriously slumming Lawrence Tierney and Farley Granger pop in small roles.

Those of us with affinity to slasher pics aren’t often concerned about plot but “The Prowler” is just dumb. It never gels into anything interesting or entertaining outside of Savini’s gore work. There are a few “quality kills” that are notable for those of you interested in watching Savini’s development. A stabbing scene in a pool is particulary gruesome. It’s not Savini’s best but it’s interesting to see how far he was at this point when it comes to makeup effects.

As for the rest of “The Prowler”? It’s just boring. I love the idea that more and more ’80s sleeper pics are being released on Blu-ray through the consistently interesting Blue Underground but that doesn’t mean that they’re ALL good. Like defending the right to free speech without agreeing with what someone’s saying, I think everything from this era should be released in HD but that doesn’t mean it’s all worth your time.

Special Features:
o Audio Commentary with Producer/Director Joseph Zito and Special Make-up Effects Artist Tom Savini
o Tom Savini’s Behind-the-Scenes Gore Footage
o Theatrical Trailer
o 1080p HD Resolution
o English 7.1 DTS-HD

‘The Prowler’ stars Farley Granger, Vicky Dawson, Christopher Goutman, and Cindy Weintraub. It was written by Glenn Leopold and Neal E. Barbera and directed by Joseph Zito. It was released on Blu-ray on July 27th, 2010 and is not rated. It runs 89 minutes.

HollywoodChicago.com content director Brian Tallerico

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

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