Black Christmas

Belatedly recognized as a key precursor of the modern “slasher” horror film, Bob Clark's 1974 low-budget Canadian shocker Black Christmas would pave the way for John Carpenter's superior Halloween four years later. Most moviegoers are familiar with Clark's other holiday classic A Christmas Story, but Black Christmas also has a strong cult appeal, thanks to nifty plotting, smart direction, and solid casting. Although the premise is now familiar, in 1974 audiences were shocked by the idea of an unidentified stalker who preys upon innocent victims: in this case, the sorority girls of Pi Kappa Sigma who receive a series of obscene phone calls just before most of them will depart for Christmas vacation. Or so they think: one girl disappears, then another, and before long the rest are searching for the missing girls while the killer is closing in. What makes Black Christmas noteworthy, apart from its anticipation of horror trends, is the relatively intelligent nature of its characters and the casting of young, up-and-coming actors (including Margot Kidder, Olivia Hussey, and Andrea Martin). Uncharacteristically for its time, Black Christmas had the audacity to leave the killer's motives and history ambiguous, with a downbeat ending that offers little comfort to the viewer. Befitting a modest classic, the film has earned a loyal following among horror fans, the most devoted being Dan Duffin, creator of the Black Christmas tribute website (www.ItsMeBilly.com), who also produced this Blu-ray's extensive bonus materials, which include a retrospective documentary featuring Kidder, Hussey, and other cast members. A strong optional purchase. (J. Shannon)