Because of the success of John Carpenter’s 1978 classic ‘Halloween’ the next decade would be forever inspired and cashing in on the success of the slasher picture. And thus we have 1983’s little known ‘Curtains’ Stars Samantha Eggar, John Vernon are our two leads as she plays aging actress Samantha Sherwood , who perhaps once was a star and great is no more and is still hungry for a career , he plays Director Jonathan Stryker. A cruel, tough and demanding director who will stop at nothing for perfection from his cast.
We meet both characters at the opening shot of the film, which instantly pulls you in but turns out to be nothing but a red herring. You see, Samantha desperately wants the role of the mad ‘Audra’ in Stryker’s new project and goes so far to convince that she’s the one, she has herself committed to an insane asylum. But Stryker does the unthinkable as he leaves her there to rot and brings six other potential woman for a casting session at his secluded wooded home. When Samantha learns of this, she escapes (I might add with the help of a friend who’s face we never see) determined to pay Stryker back and get the role in her hands. So as the woman arrive at Stryker’s so does Samantha. Then they are all snowed in and one by one they are getting killed off. Someone wants the part bad. Is it Samantha determined and ready to pay Stryker back? Is it Stryker himself? Or is one of the other actresses wanting her chance at fame? Who is the killer in the old hag mask? The answer may surprise you as there seems to be many potential suspects as well as victims lurking around…
‘Curtains’ although, began production in 1980 wasn’t completed until 1983 where it had a disaster release. Critics hated it, no one really cared to see it. Boy did they miss out. It is said the film was havoc to complete (hence the three year production) Richard Ciupka was signed on to direct but in the middle of filming left due to on going disagreements and feuds with producer Peter Simpson.
It was then Simpson took the director’s chair himself (This is why the film’s director on the credits has been addressed as the pseudonym of Johnathon Stryker)and the film went on going re-shoots and rewrites, one actress who signed on in the beginning Celine Lomez was fired due to the fact that producer Peter Simpson felt she couldn’t act (He stated this in an interview with the website the ‘The Terror Trap’) it is also rumored she wouldn’t do full frontal nudity. Her replacement, Linda Thorsen does however not do any either. The film at one point was even shelved for a year!
So, with all the problems, ‘Curtains’ eventually was given the standard 80’s VHS release, and still hasn’t found it’s way on DVD, which is such a shame, due to the fact that it needs a release.
So, to break it down, let’s talk about the bad first-
The film has POOR character development for some characters (This might be due to the production problems) The pacing is a bit slow, so if you like your films slow well, here you are. But the main problem (And this is for sure the production problems kick in in) is that the film feels like two films in one. Some scenes are pure 80’s slasher, some are more artsy, some are dramatic. It’s all over the place and never maintains enough balance. The killer is way out in left field and there isn’t much motivation for there reasoning.
The good- The music is VERY well done and quite chilling. Two death scenes are pure classic, the famous ice skating scene and the climax prop shed chase, both scenes are done very clever, have surprising jolts and terrifying results. The prop shed scene feels artsy and they both include a very clever and good use of slow motion. The acting, even the smaller roles, are all great, Eggar and Vernon really know what they’re doing (Is it possible that Eggar was able to portray her role so well because it was similar to her life? She was an aging actress with a steadily downhill career) Lesleh Donaldson is a delight as well as Lynne Griffin who really makes you laugh and want her to be the ‘final girl’
‘Curtains’ while slasher film, also tells the story of basic Hollywood, after all, the older you get, the more the town abandons you, as the case for Samantha. It’s also about what people will do to clime the ladder, after all, the film embarks on one good question once you really think about it, how desperate are you to become famous?
