Trick or Treat (1986) 2024 Blu/4K Re-release

Super Fan Alert!

Trick or Treat (1986) Dir Charles Martin Smith. 

Now here is a perfect Heavy Metal “Halloween” themed horror treat that can’t be beat! "Hey what am I the corpse of Gene Shalit"? Wait, don’t tell me he’s still alive! No, its Erok forcing himself to write once again now that we’re in the future of 2024 and all the rare films of the past are now available in pristine format. 

Synapse Films really brought out the colors and majesty of Trick or Treat, a film I’ve watched over 100 times. Why am I so obsessed with this particular Satanic Panic infused flick that features a flamboyant barbecued rocker named Sammi Curr? You tell me, just go and watch it right now I’ll wait. If you’re not sold on this one just stop reading here. 

Sammi Curr Lives

I initially saw this in middle school and related to it hardcore because I basically was Ragman! I still wear flannels and horror movie graphic tees and eat Twinkies. I currently own the VHS Tape and remember when the cheesy DVD from Target came out with the goofy photoshop clip art of Ozzy and Gene Simmons. That was the only legit version available before until now that is. 

Not available as an alternate cover thankfully.

This movie planted the seed and it made me wonder if I played certain records backwards (like a rare acetate),could you conjure up the dead? We pondered this theory on me and Bobby Hazzard’s podcast Five Minutes After Midnight. This radio show is no longer available because hosting got too pricey. We almost go to the end of the movie, maybe just credits left.

Eddie Weinbauer (played to perfection by Marc Price aka Skippy from Family Ties steals the show and I really had empathy for his situation). I mean he is viciously humiliated by these brutal tyrannical thugs! There are “New Wave” Jocks in this film, a concept I’ve seen in a few others teen flicks like “Just one of the Guys” but none as menacing as Tim Hainey (played by Doug Savant from Melrose Place). These jerks despise heavy metal and their school is basically a warzone where Eddie and his crummy friend Roger (played by Glen Morgan writer and director of the Black Christmas remake) have to battle their way through. 

Shops at Retail Slut!

Sammi communicates byway of the acetate record “Songs in the Key of Death” and all of his advice starts to benefit Eddie. One of the oddest and horniest scenes happens with nubile actress Elise Richards who listens to a dubbed recording sent to Tim as a “Peace Offering”. Green fumes envelope her nude body and a giant demon puppet slobbers and melts her ears off. 

Skeezix the demon with FX Wizard Kevin Yagher (Nightmare 2, Child's Play, 976-EVIL)

I have to mention the soundtrack by Fastway to me it fits perfectly with every scene. The way Tony Fields twirls and lip synchs on stage is just shockingly infectious. Fields early demise from the AIDS epidemic was a tragic loss. The dance scene is a highlight and has never looked better than on this new Blu-ray. I always wondered if the singer of Fastway, who went onto Flogging Molly prevented the release because of music issues. Who knows what the hold up was but it doesn’t really matter now. 

 I’m really glad that this film in finally available in all it’s glory from Synapse Films. The package comes with a lot for fans of this film. There’re cool lobby cards, a Sammi Curr poster, booklet and tons of interviews and commentary tracks. Marc Price and Elise Richards are featured but sadly No Leslie (Lisa Orgolani or Doug Savant). I’m sure a standard edition will be out soon. I would highly recommend owning this film in any format. HAIL SAMMY CURR! BUY OR DIE. PLAY THIS TAPE OR DIE!

AVAILABLE SOON IN STANDARD FORMAT.