93 min
5.377
1983
USA
Christie Parson has constant nightmares of her father's death whom died in a swimming pool. Christie's mother thinks it was an accident, but Christie believes it was murder. Christie then sees an unknown figure dressed in a cape following her and harassing her. But still nobody believes her, until her boyfriend sees the figure himself. The figure hides in the town mortuary which is owned by Hank Andrews and his demented son, Paul. Both are trying to form rituals to bring back Dr. Parson's spirit. But, who is this figure and why is he harassing Christie?
Overview
Reviews
Wuchak wrote:**_A black metal psycho is on the loose in sunny SoCal (not really, but sort of)_**
After her father’s dubious death at his manor in Malibu, a young woman and her beau (Mary Beth McDonough & David Wysocki) trace the truth to a mortician who holds cult-like seances (Christopher George), not to mention his psychologically troubled son, an embalmer (Bill Paxton). Lynda Day George is on hand as the mother.
"Mortuary" (1982/1983) starts as occult-oriented horror akin to "Midnight Offerings" (1981), which also starred Mary Beth, but it takes a different path, morphing into a horror-thriller mystery à la “The Night Strangler” (1973) with slasher elements in a mortuary/cemetery setting. The last act throws in something reminiscent of “Don’t Go in the House” (1979). "One Dark Night" (1982) also comes to mind.
Speaking of “Midnight Offerings” and “The Night Strangler,” this has a made-for-TV vibe except for the explicit embalming sequences, gore and sex scene (using body doubles, of course). The score is notable in an early 80s way and unrecognizable young Paxton is a highlight with his over-the-top performance. But the weird cult bits at the beginning are curiously never elaborated on and the lights going off-and-on at the Malibu mansion is annoying padding.
Nevertheless, there’s enough good here to entertain those who appreciate some of the aforementioned flicks.
Beth Scheffell is notable as Bonnie at the skating rink (the blonde in the red shorts), but her role amounts to being a wallflower cameo.
The film runs 1 hours, 33 minutes, and was shot in Los Angeles (cemetery and mortuary), Malibu (Christie’s house), Burbank (florist shop) and Marina del Rey (driving/plaza scenes).
GRADE: B-/C+
