Evil Dead 2: Dead By Dawn, 1987
Welcome back to another edition of Saturday Night Movie Sleepovers! J. Blake and Dion Baia are in the midst of their epic, and legendary, 2019 Summer of Sequels Series, and this week the boys are taking on a cult-classic horror movie sequel, that is considered one of the best films of the genre from its time period; none other than Sam Raimi’s Evil Dead 2: Dead By Dawn, from 1987, starring the man himself, Bruce Campbell.
The fellas get right into the nuts and bolts of this flick, laying out the back story and collaboration between Raimi and Campbell, and all the little Easter eggs and inside jokes layered within. They tap into Blake‘s expertise on the subject, as he is a huge fan of all things Bruce Campbell and particularly this series. They explain what the “Fake Shemp” is, and lament about how influential this film was at the time, and wonder how it is viewed by younger audiences today who are basically able to shoot a movie like this on their phone. So, just make sure you’re not accidentally reciting satanic rites or incantations that release any forces from Hell this week, in another enthralling and hilarious episode of Saturday Night Movie Sleepovers!
A big thank you this week to our sponsor, Take Care Of!
Extras!
As discussed in the podcast, check out Blake’s 2013 exclusive interview with the man, the myth, the legend himself, Bruce Campbell!
Have a listen of the boys 2015 Side-Cast Episode on Bruce Campbell, entitled the Fake Shemp!
And go take a listen to their 3rd episode of the SNMS on the Bruce Campbell 1992 classic, Mindwarp!
And please follow us on Twitter, Instagram & Facebook…@satsleepovers!
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The boys get right into it by setting up the backstory of the film, and how it was originally pitched as a Disney television movie, then languished in developmental hell for ten years until it was brought in front of Bette Midler. They debate the theory of how some seasonal-themed films become cult classics, holiday staples because of repeated viewings on television and cable. They analyze the elements within the film that showcase another example of Disney tip-toeing into somewhat dark, erotic material- cleverly disguised inside a light-hearted fairytale. Dion and Blake unpack the historical context of this story, briefly summarizing about how Wiccan and Pagan religious ideologies were deemed to be akin to being in league with the devil, and the horrible witch-hunts that swept through Salem, Massachusetts, at the end of the 15th Century. They also compare the tone of Hocus Pocus to other properties at the time, like Eerie, Indiana and Are You Afraid of the Dark?. So, what is the fan speculation behind this story: going to the How and the Why of the Sanderson Sisters becoming witches? Was Leonardo DiCarprio once considered to star in this movie? Playing their own What if Game, could this film have been envisioned as a Tim Burton/Danny Elfman vehicle at the time? And are the fans finally going to see a sequel to this film, and why would Disney actually not be interested in making a sequel/reboot to this beloved property? Well, you better make sure no virgins are trespassing and lighting any candles, hide your children, and actually listen to that black cat trying to talk to you… because the boys are back with the Halloween-specific episode of SNMS‘ October Halloween Horror Movie Extravaganza!
The boys start off with another quick installment of ‘what-has-Blake-brought-back-from-his-parent’s-house-to-surprise-Dion-with? ‘ game and briefly dip into the genre of 3D, after which they get into talking about memories of summer vacations (the backseat activities that used to occupy kid’s time while getting there), summer comedies we associate with them, and then the genius of John Candy and Carl Reiner. Dion and Blake trace back the many careers the comedian, actor, writer, producer and director Carl Reiner has had through the decades. They even go as far back to Reiner and his other contemporaries main influence, Vaudeville, and give a CliffsNotes’ overview, and the comedy genre’s evolution through the subsequent broadcast mediums. They also visit the backstory — the real life incidents that became the main inspiration for this screenplay, and how each small event contained within this story setup a beautiful and hilarious onscreen crescendo. So aside from the obvious John Candy association, how does Summer Rental actually share a meaningful connection with SNMS last episode’s film, Ghostbusters? How interchangeable would one say this plot is, within not only an 80’s summer comedy, but also an early 60’s, beach, bikini/surfer flick? How great is Richard Crenna and Rip Torn in this film, and full stop? And we again have another Alan Silvestri score to talk about..! Well grab your cooler, sunscreen and swimsuits, because we’re all piling into our family station wagons and minivans, and heading to the crowded beach, in another all new summer edition episode of Saturday Night Movie Sleepovers!