Today In Horror History

June 16,1960
On this day in Horror History, Psycho would premier in New York City. Theatre goers would flock to see what would not only become Alfred Hitchcock’s first horror film, but the most definitive in his career. Loud speakers bellowing a countdown to “Psycho Time” and posters conveying that no one would be admitted in after the film rolled, guaranteed that the masterpiece would be seen in its entirety by a public who couldn’t have anticipated the moment in history that they were about to witness. Arguably the most influential horror film to date, Psycho not only set a standard for the slasher movie becoming one of the most identifiable premises in the industry, it shaped cinema as a whole by testing the limits at which films were rated and what was deemed acceptable in American motion pictures.

Fifty Three years later, the film which brought Hitchcock into horror infamy, continues to invoke terror and a state of unrest in those who indulge upon the ’60 Classic. Placed before the ratings board several times in the last half century, what once was considered to be racy and obscene, and shunned by many of critics for its “distasteful” elements of horror, still holds the same ever-present fright with a now rating that equals that of some Disney films…

Ironically, Walt Disney himself would not allow Hitchcock to film in Disneyland in the early sixties stating the reason being that he made “that disgusting movie, 'Psycho'."

“It's not like my mother is a maniac or a raving thing. She just goes a little mad sometimes. We all go a little mad sometimes. Haven't you?” –Norman Bates

 

 Shower Scene From "Psycho"

"Psycho' Trailer 

Today In Horror History

June 13, 1943
On this day in Horror History, Malcolm John Taylor was born. Often credited as Malcolm McDowell, he has led an incomparably eclectic career blessing everything from high budget cult films to obscure indie movies, television to video game voice acting. His most notable and acclaimed role would be that of Alex in Stanley Kubrick’s A Clockwork Orange (1971), a character that would define his career as one of the most recognizable and celebrated cult actors in cinematic history.

“The best thing I did was abuse myself when younger - I dabbled in everything, cocaine, booze, women - because now I don't have to do it anymore.” –Malcom McDowell

Today In Horror History

June 13, 1948
On this day in Horror History, Jason Voorhees was born to Elias and Pamela Voorhees. Heavily deformed and suffering from Hydrocephalus, Jason would die in the summer of 1957 from a drowning incident at Camp Crystal Lake. After exacting revenge in the wake of her son’s death, Jason’s mother Pamela would also pass away and thus would begin Jason’s incomparable killing spree stretching far beyond the 148 murders committed on screen. Present in 20 Novels, 15 comics, and a popular NES Game, the account of Jason’s heinous murders raised the body count well beyond 300 victims after his return from the dead in 1984.

"There's a legend around here. A killer buried, but not dead. A curse on Crystal Lake, a death curse. Jason Voorhees' curse. They say he died as a boy, but he keeps coming back. Few have seen him and lived. Some have even tried to stop him... No one can. People forget he's down there, waiting." –Narrator, Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988)

 Jason Voorhees' iconic potato sack mask was inspired by "The Phantom Killer" for the 1976 classic "The Town That Dreaded Sundown" 

 

Today In Horror History

June 12, 1987
On this day in Horror History, Predator debuted in theaters. The cult film starring Arnold Schwarzenegger would inevitably be followed by two sequels, a video game adaption and two more cross over films placing the sport hunting apex predator against the Xenomorph alien.

“You're one ugly motherfucker!” –Dutch

UPDATE: BREAKING NEWS: JASON VOORHEES WILL RETURN!!!!

UPDATE FROM BLOODY DISGUSTING:

EDIT (6/12/13-9:28AM PST) Evan here, going through the tape this morning I found the following, verbatim, quote. “Platinum is still involved. They are still with it.” Just wanted to double-tap on this confirmation.

At the Hatchet 3 premiere, our own Evan Dickson interviewed Derek Mears (Jason Voorhees in the 2009 remake) who stated, “I spoke to Brad Fuller and he said that the rights are, as everyone knows, over at Paramount and they’re pushing hard. They’re going we want [a new Friday The 13th movie] as fast as possible.” So now we have confirmation that Platinum Dunes, the production company behind the 2009 remake, is partnering with Paramount for the sequel to Friday The 13th!

Platinum Dunes is Andrew Form, Brad Fuller, and Michael Bay. They are the studio behind such remakes as The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, A Nightmare On Elm St. and many more.
Mears is hopeful to return as Voorhees, “…I know they [Platinum Dunes] like me.” He continues, “…look, even if I’m not a part of the series, as a fan I just want to see more.”

Alright readers, who’s pumped for this news? I know that I loved the 2009 remake because it was absurd amounts of fun! I’m personally really excited to hear this news!


 ORIGINAL STORY FROM BLOODY DISGUSTING:

"How Batman and Christopher Nolan saved the Friday the 13th franchise, for now…

One of the biggest hold-ups to a sequel to the 2009 remake of Friday the 13th was that there were just too many hands in the pot. Just yesterday I was talking with a few colleagues about how we won’t see the return of Jason Voorhees until someone lets up – whether it be Paramount or New Line/Warner Bros. Pictures. After years of fan tears, breaking news comes out of the Hollywood Reporter who writes that Paramount Pictures has officially landed the franchise rights, which also include Jason Voorhees and his likeness. This is major news as we should expect a sequel to get back on fast-track immediately. 

When Paramount and Warner Bros. teamed up on Christopher Nolan’s latest movie project, Interstellar, in January, some wondered how Warners made its way on board a project set up at a rival studio…

Now, months later, THR has learned more about the price that Warners had to pay in exchange for half the Nolan project. The cast of characters includes Friday the 13th villain Jason Voorhees as well as the foul-mouthed kids from “South Park” (bonus news!).

Warners, which released Nolan’s megagrossing Batman movies and maintains an overall deal with his Syncopy label, wanted in on Interstellar so badly it gave Paramount its rights to co-finance the next Friday the 13th horror film as well as its portion of a future “South Park” movie. Also part of the deal was an agreement to let Paramount co-finance a to-be-determined A-list Warners property.
Warner Bros. and Paramount declined to comment on the arrangement. 

So you’re completely up to speed, here’s a recap of how we got to today…

The original Friday was made in 1980 by producer Sean Cunningham with investments from Boston theater owners. Paramount got domestic distribution rights; Warners had international. Eventually, the rights reverted back to Cunningham, who took them to New Line Cinema in the 1990s as part of an attempt to jumpstart a Freddy vs. Jason movie (with the villain from A Nightmare on Elm Street). That process took more than 10 years, and in the meantime, New Line made two other Friday the 13th movies (using the character in the title; Jason Goes To Hell and Jason X).

When it came time for New Line, now part of Warner Bros., to develop a Friday remake/reboot, it was revealed that Paramount had certain rights to the original and had to be brought in as 50-50 partners. Michael Bay’s Platinum Dunes ended up producing 2009′s Friday the 13th, which grossed a respectable $91 million for Paramount and Warners on a budget of less than $20 million. 

Efforts to launch a sequel to the rebooted Friday as well as a second “South Park” movie were complicated due to both studios having a share in them. So Warners decided to sacrifice Jason and Cartman for a deal on Nolan’s Interstellar, thus maintaining its relationship with the filmmaker and snagging a piece of what could be another Inception.

In the process, risk-averse Paramount got a partner on a pricey sci-fi tentpole in addition to the ability to make another movie based on one of the most successful horror franchises of all time and an animation juggernaut.

However, there is a catch: Sources say Paramount only enjoys the rights for both titles for the next five years and has that amount of time to make follow-up movies. 

  

What does this mean SEQUELS ARE COMING! Talk below…"

What are your thoughts? Are you excited?

My thoughts: I personally don't care much for Platinum Dunes remakes. The "Friday The 13th" & "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" remakes were decent as best, don't even get me started on the "A Nightmare On Elm Street" remake.  But hey "The Amityville Horror" remake was so much better than the original ( just my opinion). But I will gladly put all my dislike for Platinum Dunes remakes aside and go enjoy seeing Jason Voorhees back on the big screen.

Today In Horror History

June 11, 1949
On this day in Horror History, Sherman Howard was born. Considered by George Romero to be one of the most definitive and brilliant zombie actors of all time, Howard’s role as ‘Bub’ in the classic zombie film Day of the Dead (1985) has made the character that he epitomized one of the most recognizable and beloved of the zombie genre. A talent that has blessed many of cult films, television shows and animated series that allowed him to show a prowess for voice acting, Howard is and will always be one of the greatest minds that has blessed the horror industry. 

Today In Horror History

June 10, 1989
On this day in Horror History, ‘Tales From the Crypt’ would premier on HBO. Based on the popular 1950's EC Comics, the iconic television broadcast would air for 7 seasons and 93 episodes total. The first of the anthology series titled “The Man Who Was Death” would begin a legacy that would thrust the Crypt Keeper into infamy, the series into the ranks of the most lucrative and longest running from the cable television network and the show itself into horror history.

“Heads, I win. Tails, you *ooze*! “ –Crypt Keeper 

 

Tales From The Crypt Intro