The Lost Boys, 1987
Hello again and welcome back to another all new episode of Saturday Night Movie Sleepovers! This week Dion Baia and J. Blake are talking another absolute cult classic film that turns 30 this week. A movie about beach boardwalks, teen angst, and of course vampires, Joel Schumacher‘s The Lost Boys from 1987.
The boys fondly reminisce about the era The Lost Boys came out within, and how the concept of teenage vampires was a relatively new idea for audiences. Blake and Dion discuss the vampire lore and the ‘classical’ representation these characters had in cinema, and how this film kind of turned that traditional idea on end. They talk about the obvious connections to novelist J.M. Barrie‘s story Peter Pan, as well as the other cultural influences peppered in the story, such as the reoccurring presence of rock icon Jim Morrison and the symbolism invoked, which goes to the greater themes layered within. They discuss the family dynamics in the story, be it the Emerson family’s or the Lost Boys gang themselves. The lads go into the Corey connection, and the relationship between Haim and Feldman that all started with this movie. They compare this film to the novelization, and interject some of the subplots and scenes that were discarded in the final cut of the 1987 movie. And they also chat about the sexual tension between the main characters in the story, and ponder the question: who is really attracted to who here? So, how monumental was The Lost Boys’ soundtrack when it came out? Did director Joel Schumacher maybe put himself a little bit into young Corey Haim‘s character? What’s Blake‘s Billy Wirth story? How about Dion‘s Jason Patric encounter? Well it’s about time that you sharpen those wooden stakes, gather as much Holy Water as you can find, and above all, don’t invite any strangers into your house because an all new edition of Saturday Night Movie Sleepovers is coming your way!
(* The two stories referred to in the podcast that predate Bram Stoker‘s 1897 Dracula, were the 1819 short story entitled The Vampyre by John William Polidori, and the 1872 lesbian vampire novella Carmilla, by Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu– both in public domain and available online free to read.
Extras:
Check out the original trailer for The Lost Boys!
Watch the deleted scenes, here!
And check out more deleted scenes from the film, here!
Take a look at Corey Haim and Feldman talking about The Lost Boys!
Have a look at the 2004 The Lost Boys 17 year old Retrospective!
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GREAT episode! This is another one I grew up with…that’s a common theme in my replies, I’ve noticed.
The thing about Max looking like John Lithgow under the make-up managed to stop me in my tracks on my walk to work. I was on the sidewalk laughing like a mad man.
Blake, you’re not alone. On a recent rewatch I too thought Dianne Wiest was kind of cute!
Thank you for mentioning the comics and the sequels. The Tribe isn’t very strong, but the Thirst isn’t too bad. It’s got more connections to the original and they manage to address Sam in a very poignant way given that Haim had passed when they were shooting it. Also, that memory about the grandfather being a werewolf…it’s got something similar. If anything, you guys should check out the recent Lost Boys comics by Vertigo. They ignore the Reign of the Frogs comics and sequels and take place directly after the movie. There’s a few surprises but one I HAVE to mention is they bring in the oiled up saxophone guy who turns out is a vampire hunter known as The Believer. And that oil he’s covered in…has holy water in it and prevents vampires from touching him. It was so ridiculous but he plays it totally straight and I thought that was an awesome plot point thrown in.
Man, 1987 had a lot of memorable movies. I think it also helped that HBO was really prevalent around this time so movies like this had a much longer life after the fact.
Keep up the awesome work and I cannot WAIT to see what the next episode is!
Thank you, as always, for the all the support Jose! It was a fun episode to do and we are thrilled you enjoyed it.
– Blake
Another classic episode gents. Thank you. I went to 30th anniversary screening at Santa Cruz beach. Boardwalk is still identical to how it was in the movie. Great nostalgic film from my youth made all the better by this episode. Thank you as always. P. S. Re wildwood – Blake, the hotel anywhere near Morey’s piers? I used to work there in the summers coming over from Ireland. Good memories.
That’s awesome Shane! I would’ve loved to have been able to go to a screening like that. And yes the motel was not far from Morey’s Peer. Wildwood is not a very big place in general. I still have an aunt and uncle that live in Wildwood. Thanks so much for listening and for taking the time to leave us a comment! We’re thrilled you enjoyed the episode.
– Blake
I know I’m late to the party… I think the woman vampire movie u was talking about was 1971 “Countess Dracula” with ingrid Pitt..
Hey Don,
Thank you so much. And we’ll check that movie out to see if that was the one. Ha. And thanks for listening and hope you’ve enjoyed what we’ve done. Be well.