#bob rader

[bleedingcoffee42]

From Bob Rader's file. He made sure to pencil in some names on Christenson's drawing. Martin on the left, Peacock/Foley in the middle and Matz on the right.

[usindistress]

THE BIG ASS LIST OF CONSERVATIVE SEXUAL VIOLENCE

NAME, POSITION, CRIME Aaron Bruns , Fox News , Possession of CP Alan David Berlin , Congressional Aide , 15 YO Boy Andrew Buhr , Committeeman , 13 YO Boy Armando Tebano , County Council , 14 YO Girl Audrey Grabarkiewicz , SBC Preschool Teacher , Sex parties for Middle Schoolers Bernard Preynat , Catholic Priest , Molestation Beverly Russell , Conservative Activist , Step-Daughter Bill O'Reilly , Fox News , Sexual Harassment Bob Packwood , Senator , Sexual Harassment Bobby Stumbo , Party Leadership , 5 YO Boy Brent Parker , State Legislator , Solicitation (Male) Brent Schepp , County Candidate , 14 YO Girl Carey Lee Cramer , Campaign Consultant , 9 YO Step-Daughter Charles Fishburne Rhodes IIII , SBC Teacher & Coach , Soliciting 12 YO Girl Craig J. Spence , Lobbyist , Solicitation (Male) Cristián Precht Bañados , Catholic Priest , Molestation Dan Crane , Congressman , Teenage Girl David Swartz , County Commissioner , 11 YO Girls David Vitter , Congressman , Solicitation (Female) Dennis Fred Rutledge , SBC Minister , Child under 11 Dennis L. Rader , Zoning Supervisor , 11 YO Girl + Murder Don Sherwood , Congressman , Domestic Abuse Donald Chrisler Batson , SBC Minister , 2 Underage Girls

[br1ghtestlight]

when the kids are older I can definitely see gene and tina being more dramatic emotional teenagers who linda and bob have to focus on more while louise is more chill/lowkey and slips under the rader bcuz she doesn't really get in drama at school or with friends. very low maintenance kid but that doesnt mean she doesn't like getting attention from her parents sometimes :/

and then when tina and gene move out suddenly she's getting ALL her parents attention which she absolutely does not want. and she feels overwhelmed and lonely at the same time. it's definitely an adjustment period for all of them

[kwebtv]

Flesh and Blood -  CBS  -  October 14 - 16, 1979

Drama (2 episodes)

Running Time:  240 minutes

Stars:

Tom Berenger as Bobby Fallon

Mitchell Ryan as Jack Fallon

Kristin Griffith as Michelle

Denzel Washington as Kirk

Suzanne Pleshette as Kate Fallon

John Cassavetes as Gus

Bert Remsen as Jorgenson

Anthony Charnota as Freddie

Bob Minor as Walker Lewis

Peter Hobbs as Police Sergeant

Jack Rader as Charlie

[dorothydalmati1]

Bob's Burgers Season 1 Episode 4: Sexy Dance Fighting

Written by Steven Davis & Kelvin Yu

Storyboard by Anthony Chun, Nate Clesowich & Brad Rader

Directed by Anthony Chun

Retakes by Wes Archer, Jennifer Coyle & Tad Stones

[wutbju]

Jo Peery, 88, of Kilgore, Texas completed her earthly journey Sunday, January 7, 2024, with her beloved family by her side. Services will be held Friday, January 12, 2024 at Two o’clock in the afternoon at the Chapel of Rader Funeral Home in Kilgore, Texas with Revs. Chris Ford and Rev. Tim Mason. Burial will follow at Pirtle Cemetery.

Mrs. Peery was born on January 31, 1935 in Meadows, Illinois. Jo has lived in East Texas since 1972. Jo was a member of Eastview Baptist Church, Rocky Mt. Baptist Church, London Baptist Church and was currently attending Christway Baptist Church in Tyler. Mrs. Peery received her bachelor’s degree from Bob Jones University in Greenville, South Carolina and later received her master’s degree from University of Texas at Tyler. Jo worked as a schoolteacher for 42 years. She taught school at West Rusk ISD, Leverett’s Chapel ISD, Laneville ISD as well as other schools in the east Texas area. Her passion for reading led her to read many Christian books and Bible every day.She was a loving and caring mother, sister, grandmother and great grandmother who will be missed by all that knew her.

In passing Jo was reunited with her parents, Hugh Harry Maurer and Gaynell Freda Rice, husband, William Joseph Peery and her sisters, Eloise Carpenter, Helen Johnstone and Elaine Stewart.

Left to cherish her memory are her sons, Bill Peery and wife Sheri of Longview, Paul Peery and wife Lynn of Kilgore, Mark Peery and wife Stacy of Panama City Beach, Florida, John Peery of Overton, James Peery of Overton, Pat Ahumada of Brownsville, Texas, Jose Benavides of Bastrop and Rich Johnstone and wife Rhonda of Mill Valley, California; sister, Iris Maurer of Maryland; 23 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and other loving family members.

[thebootlegnerd2018]

2 New HD Videos Release:

PLEASE READ: I’m currently only selling videos at the moment and this goes for current future releases. Any past releases that involves trading will not change however.

Spring Awakening - Empty Space Theatre - July 14, 2023 - California - First Performance

Cast: Dillon Nunamaker as Melchior, Chloe Gomez as Wendla, Connor Deming as Moritz, Salvador Vidaurri as Hänschen, Oliver Love as Ernst, Gabriel Abboud as Georg, Ryan Campbell as Otto, Jocelyn Barrison as Ilse, Savanna May as Martha, Julia Edith Rios as Anna, Liz Bomar as Thea, Katelyn Evans as Adult Woman, Dallas Stumbaugh as Adult Man, Isaiah Esparza, Connor Putman, Breana Riggs, Andrea Vega

Notes: Decent HD Capture of the first performance of this production. A lot of obstructions that were worked around the best as much as I could, Act One isn’t great and rough to get through on filming but, Act Two is better filmed. Filmed in the new Empty Space location which is why the layout is different compared to the previous videos that were released. Great performances from the cast, really loved it. A-

Price: $13 USD

Screencaps: https://www.flickr.com/gp/141838001@N03/PsM66M2K79

Sunday in The Park with George - Ovation Theatre - March 4, 2023 - California

Cast: Shawn Rader as Georges Seurat/George, Tessa Ogles as Dot/Marie, Christina Friedman as Yvonne/Naomi, Mason Edwards as Jules/Bob, Kat Kohler as Old Lady/Blair, Maritza Sandoval u/s Nurse/Elaine, Christian Bradford as Soldier/Alex,

Notes: Excellent HD Capture of this phenomenal show with this wonderful stellar cast in the production’s second performance. Shawn and Tessa definitely carry this show with their solid energy and chemistry with each other. If you’re a fan of Sondheim’s work, this is a performance that you’ll want to see. Includes Ovation Theatre 2023-2024 season announcement. A

Screencaps: https://www.flickr.com/gp/141838001@N03/xF39iLbs9m

Price: $13 USD

Both videos are NFT until February 7, 2025 and NEVER TO BE SHARED ONLINE EVER.

To inquire any of these videos, please contact me at thebootlegnerd@gmail.com or DM me on Discord, all payments will be made through PayPal.

[lboogie1906]

Valarie Pettiford (born July 8, 1960) is a stage and television actress, dancer, and jazz singer. She received a Tony Award nomination for her role in the Broadway production Fosse. She is known for her role as “Big Dee Dee” Thorne on Half & Half.

She began her career as a dancer and choreographer in Bob Fosse’s productions on Broadway.

She played in The Naked Truth and starred as Julie in a touring production of Show Boat.

She received a Tony nomination for Best Featured Actress in a Musical and a Dora Mavor Moore Award nomination for her role in the Broadway production Fosse. She left Fosse to appear in Chicago in the West End.

She won the Backstage Bistro Award for her cabaret debut at the Metropolitan Room in New York City and won an NAACP Theatre Award for her lead role in The Wild Party. She starred in a solo show, Valarie Pettiford - Thankful that played in New York City and Los Angeles. She starred in the solo show Valarie Pettiford - The Concert in New York City.

She enrolled at the High School of Performing Arts, she did her first ever movie work; as part of the large ensemble in the film The Wiz. She starred in the film Glitter and had a role in Stomp the Yard, Jumping the Broom, and The Family Business.

She was born in Queens to Ralph and Blanch Pettiford. She graduated from the High School of Performing Arts. She is married to her manager, actor, and former Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Tony Rader. #africanhistory365 #africanexcellence

[larryland]

REVIEW: Topdog/Underdog" at Shakespeare & Company

REVIEW: Topdog/Underdog” at Shakespeare & Company

[rooster-the-love-of-my-life]

At Last.

As the week went on, the day of the mission got closer. Maverick was still determined to go, even after Y/N's protests and he still didn't tell her who all he's taking. Now they were all on the ship waiting for instructions on what was going on.

Phoenix and Bob were hardened close together, whispering something to each other. Hangman was talking with Coyote, Payback and Fanboy on how he was going on this mission as team leader, while Y/N and Rooster were standing in silence.

They kept a good distance between them as they didn't want anyone to know about them just yet. He could see that she was nervous, but he kept his silence as he didn't want to worry her more. Soon Maverick and the two admirals came in the room they were in.

Admiral Bates started "You all have been tranjng for 3 weeks for this particular mission, you've all masterde it, sk it shouldn't matter which one of you goes, but all of you should be ready to give it you best. The team will be lead by Captain Mitchell, since he's the one who finished in time. The rest of the team will be announce by Captain Mitchell."

Pete now stood jn front of Admiral Bates, looking at his pilots. "Phoenix and Bob, will be with me." They both looked at each other with an expression of excitement and fear. "Payback and Fanboy." They were the happiest. Pete then looked at two faces, Rooster and Sparrow, to decide who would be his wingman.

"And your wingman?" Questioned Admiral Bates. Hangman puffed his chest as if to say he knew he'd be the one.

"Rooster." Maverick said. Y/N was disappointed in herself, but went with his decision. Then Maverick said "The seconds will be Hangman and Sparrow."

With that he walked out with the Admirals. No one said a word at that moment. No sparky remark, no victory high fives, no whispers. Everyone just stood silently, looking at each other and then went about with their work.

As they were putting on their gear, Rooster pulled Y/N in another room, away from the rest of the gang.

"You good?" He asked.

"Yes, why won't I be?" She answered and asked.

"It's just your dad. I know yiu get worried about him." He answred.

"I am, a little, but I know he'll handle himself. I'm more worried about you though." She said.

"Why?"

"Because I'm not willing to loose you again." She said. "Just promise me you'll be safe."

"I will." He promised.

"Good." She nodded. "And remember, don't think, just do."

"Yes ma'am." He said pulling her in for a kiss. It was a soft one that didn't last long, but it was meaningful. When they pulled apart, he was resting his forehead on hers.

"Give em' hell." Was all she said.

----------------------------

As everyone qas standing on the deck, ready for take off, Y/N got a last glimpse of her father and Rooster before they were both off. She was scared of two things. The first being that they wouldn't make out alive. And the second being that they'd fight in the air.

"Copy. Faggers dexendinf below rader." Maverick's voice came through the radio. All the daggers went under the rader when the controller room said

"Daggers now below rader. Switching to e2 picture." It was official now.

"Here we go." Maverick started. "Enemy territory up ahead, picture in sixty seconds. Comanche picture."

"Picture clear, decision is yours."

"Copy." Maverick said in a few seconds. "Dagger attack." With that the missles went off. The tomahawk was airborne.

"Daggers assume attack position." Maverick said. "Time 2 minutes minutes 30 seconds set in three, two, one. Time set." He entered the valley.

"Time set." Phoenix and Bob entered the valley.

"Time set." Rooster entered the valley.

"Time set." Payback and Fanboy entered the valley. There was no turning back now.

Entering the valley they spotted a fe SAM'S which didn't go off, indicating they were under the rader. Maverick and Phoenix were going fast and way ahead of the others. But after a point Rooster slowed down.

"Rooster come on man. We gotta move." Y/N heard Payback say on the radio. But Rooster didn't buldge.

This went on for a few seconds, till Rooster whispered "Talk to me dad."

And just then Maverick spoke "Come on Rooster. Don't think, just do."

These words were all he needed to go fast. They quickly caught up to Maverick, Phoenix and Bob, who had completed their inverted dive and hit the target perfectly.

Next was Rooster's chance. They did an inverted dive and were ready to fire, but the laser wasn't working.

"I'm hoping in blind." Rooster said and took a perfectly shot.

"Bullseye." Fanboy said and then they were jn coffin conner. Maverick and Phoenix were already fighting all the missiles whe The other team reached.

There were smokes everywhere. They took down kne missile and another was already attacking. This went on for minutes until Rooster said "Shit, I'm out of flares."

"I got ya." Maverick said as he came behind Rooster and used his last flares to remove the missile.

"Mav look out." Shouted Bob as a missile came and hit his plane.

"Mav's hit." Phoenix said. "I repeat Maverick's down." Y/N's heart was pounding, one of her fears was coming true and she could do nothing about it.

"We have to go back." Phoenix said. "Come on Rooster."

"Yeah man, its of no use." Fanboy said.

"Yeah it is, Rooster said as he flew to the plane Maverick fell, despite the protests of his teammates. The rest of them had no other choice but to come back to the ship.

A few minutes later all communication was lost, Y/N had no idea where her father and boyfriend were and jf by some miracle they would make it out alive, she woul kill them.

Ten minutes and many requests later Y/N was still stuck on deck. Just when she was about to lose all hope, the control room said "Roosters becon is on."

"Then what's the problem?" Admiral Cyclone asked.

"He's super sonics sir."

He was alive, and there was a chance that Pete was too. This was all she needed.

"Sparrow, Hangman, we need you to go. There seem to be two enemy aircraftes chasing Rooster." Said Admiral Cyclone through the radio.

"Copy that." Hangman said, and they were airborne. By the time they reached Rooster's plane, in of the enemy's had already gotten a ton on them.

And just at the right time, Hangman blew that plane up. "Ladies and gentlemen this is your saviour speaking." He said, and Y/N heard Maverick chuckle through the radio.

But the foght wasn't over yet, there was still on more plane left which qas raking care of by Y/N. He was on her, no doubt, be she wasn't a Mitchell for no reason. Coping her dad, she performed a cobra maneuver getting a perfect shot.

"That's what we call a kill gentlemen." She said. She didn't dare look towards the two men in the F-14 Tomcat, because she did she wouldn't be able to hold back her tears.

Sparrow and Hangman landed easily, while Maverick was listing all the things wrong with their plane, and there seemed to be a lot. When all of them were on the ground everyone started cheering and celebrating.

Phoenix was the first one to walk up to Y/N and hug her.

"I'm gald you're safe Nat." Y/N said.

"I'm glad you are too." She went on to Bob, kissing him kn the cheeks making the guy flush.

Now Rooster was walking towards her. He could see she was not olease by what he had done and he only had one thing to say "I'm sorry."

"Taht doesn't fixe everything." She said.

"I know, I'm sorry." He said again taking her face in his hands and kissing her, regardless of people watching. This gesture made her melt.

"You know you can't always kiss me when I'm angry right?" She whisperd innhis ear.

"There's always sex dear." He whisperd back. She was flushed from this comment as he gave her a wink and turned around to hug Maverick.

Y/N was next to do that. But not before scolding her father for what he did and then thanking him for doing that, first bringing him back.

"We're gonna have a serious talk when we get back home young lady." He said in dad mode.

"Yes sir."

----------------------------

A few days later, Rooster, Y/N and Pete were all hardened jn his little workshop, figuring out how to fix his personal plane when Penny came out of the blue. Y/N hadn't see Pete like that in a long time, and she was happy that it was Penny. At last they were together.

"What do you say we have one of those?" Rooster cane up behind Y/N, who was working on the planes engine, and hel her by her waist.

"Teenagers?" She question still focused on her work.

"No. Kids." He turned her face towards himself. "You'd look good as a mom."

"And you'd loom good as a dad." Y/N whispered closing the gap between them. Just as their kiss deepened, Pete came back in with Penny.

"Ew not in front of me guys."

A/N:

This is the last chapter of Aviators. I can't tell you how happy I am to finish a series for the first time and have you all love it so much. I love you all for everything you have done. I hope you enjoyed this series. I'll be back with more, till then keep feeling the need for speed. 💜💜💜

Taglist:

@4margaritasalex @futurecorps3 @thisisgracetrying @clairejpg @fangirlinc @thespeeder @ashewontcare @jonginvlog @igotmajordaddyissues @herladyshipxx @m3laniehearts @exo-wayv @mayafatimakhan @starkleila @itscheybaby @spookycupcakepirate @dcamelia @americaarse @paulina1998 @lgg5989 @datingbtr

[finniestoncrane]

i haven’t been able to stop thinking about what some other rogues would be like if they were given the gritty-realism, based on real killers reevesverse treatment so i’ve written them down here (and will maybe write one-fics for them) so that when they come true in the trilogy (?) i’ll get an associate producer credit

hush:

definitely the main villain, i can see him being the final big bad with batman, following an arc of batmans downfall at the hands of hush and the resulting victory giving him the confidence to become gotham's daddy

could see him as a bit of a manson, not dirtying his own hands

mr freeze:

i absolutely see this man as like a refrigerator salesman a la bob vance

dennis rader vibes for sure, holding down a job and a devoted family

give me Christmas batman with mr freeze puns

zsasz:

if we don’t shy away from being too yucky disgusting i can definitely see elements of albert fish in him, total sadomasochism, absolute process killer fr fr

i’m thinking your intelligent boys like ted kacsynski

i’m thinking your unhinged boys who kill big numbers like andrei chikatilo

poison ivy:

eco-warrior/eco-terrorist

i want righteous violence from her, i want difficult to trace murders because she’s been poisoning bad boys and lobbyists

definite black widow vibes, poison all the way like nanny doss and marie besnard

joker:

don’t hate me but joker is literally a side character in the battinson world

he’s like batman’s ted bundy, he’s there to offer help

definitely want ed kemper vibes from him, someone who is desperate to be friends with the cops/batman but is striving to have the upperhand

pyg:

gimme your jeff dahmers and your dennis nilsens, gimme your men who want the perfect companion

butcher themes like suspects in the jack the ripper case as a slight nod to unsolved crimes again in the same vain as zodiac

but would a pig mask be too saw???

[bleedingcoffee42]

Bob Rader you would have loved Tumblr Bob fandom 2024.

[thecastingcircle]

This is my storyboard for the premiere episode of “The Roswell Conspiracies: Myths and Legends”, Act One. The series aired in 1999 on Bhobot’s Kid Network (BKN) and was produced by Epoch Ink.

Joe Pearson and Stephanie Graziano were co-producers.  The story editors were Bob Forward and Greg Johnston. Kaaren Lee Brown is listed in Wikipedia as the co-creator butdoesn't specify whom with. Tom Tataranowicz and I were co-directors. Eddie Lin, Chuck Patton and John Fox were my storyboard crew. Brad Coombs was the lead character stylist. Harry Warner and Young Yoon were the prop and special effects designers. Gregg Davidson is listed in Wikipedia, but I can’t remember what he did (sorry Gregg).

I directed this episode, and storyboarded almost 2/3’s of it, in rough form. I have re-cleaned my original storyboard for inclusion into my forthcoming on-line portfolio.

The story editors were Bob Forward and Greg Johnston. Kaaren Lee Brown is listed in Wikipedia as the co-creator by doesn't specify whom with.

I directed the first two episodes of the series, a two-parter establishing the main characters and themes. I did rough storyboards for 2/3 of episode #1. I completely re-cleaned this section of Act One for inclusion in my forthcoming on-line portfolio.

[mrskurono]

a/n: since I'll be at the beach all day with my boy (avoiding humans on hiking trails) I thought I should post this since it's just sitting in my drafts (:

tags: fluff, hinted poly relationship between fem!rader/Kindaichi/Kageyama, Kunimi being the only smart one

character(s): Kindaichi Yuutaro (hq), Kageyama Tobio (hq) Hinata Shoyo (hq) Kunimi Akira (hq)

Billows of cold salty air rolled off the waves far out at sea. Leaving your lips to taste like salt when you licked them to turn the page on the spiral notebook Shoyo had unearthed as a ‘score board’ for the volleyball game. Names scribbled out repeatedly as the four of them kept switching doubles. Humorous in all as they were acting like rowdy children whooping and hollering about the game.

You sat next to the pile of discarded hats, coats and packs. Legs propped up under you giving you something to rest your chin on as you watched. The cold shift of wind not even to make you feel anything but warmth watching your friends play their very first volleyball game as friends. Real friends.

“Quit it I haven’t even exercised in years!” Akira huffed once more when digging his heels into the sand like Shoyo said only resulted in him taking a face first dive into the sand.

“Hah!” Yuutaro didn’t even stop the laugh from leaving him when his block sent his best friend face first into the sand.

“Nice!” Tobio through his arms up for a double high five with his old Kitagawa teammate like it was nothing.

Something seemed so weird but so natural about it. Tobio asking for a high five from Yuutaro. Certain you never thought you’d see the day. It seemed so right though. As did Akira face down in the sand as Shoyo bobbed up and down trying to get him back on his feet like an excited crab scuttling across the sand with ease.

Everything went on for some time. Actually you lost track of time all together. Everyone seemed to have played against each other once at least. Or twice even. Switching so everyone was paired off with one another and no one was left out. There was no way to tell if there was a real winner in fact. You stopped counting as almost no one besides Shoyo could manage to facilitate beach volleyball. 

Humorous actually when Tobio was left running down the beach after each serve because he refused to acknowledge wind as a factor. Topped only by the amount of face plants Akira and Yuutaro took from their noodle legs in the sand. Your boys really weren’t made to take so many headers but you still laughed every time it happened. Glad it was the sand they were biting and not something harder.

Big deep heaving breathes as he trudged over to you in the sand. Akira thanked you for the water bottle you tossed to him before he asked. Slugging back the rest of his bottle until he wiped his mouth and turned to look out at what it was you were looking at. Quickly a grimace crossed his tired features, “Take a picture it will last longer.”

“Oh shut up,” Quicker to eye roll than knock him over for the five hundredth time, you don’t hide the fact you’re watching Tobio and Yuutaro expound on something they just peeled off the volleyball Tobio went down the beach to go get. It looked like kelp. Neither of them knew it. Didn’t stop them from looking at it like idiots.

Akira copped out by you. Sinking his bottom into the sand with a thud and he began digging through the shared backpack Yuutaro and you brought, “So Kageyama needs a place to stay.”

“Yeah?” Your eyebrow raises but you don’t turn your head.

He shrugged and watched the same thing you did. Tobio setting to Yuutaro who proceeded to spike it down right next to where Shoyo was tying his shoe. Leading to a spray of sand and Shoyo’s indignant response followed by Tobio and Yuutaro giggling like school children and not enormous men both over six two. Claiming loudly it was payback for tricking everyone into beach volleyball.

“Seems like you two are poor enough.” Akira shrugged.

“We are not poor you ass!” Reaching for his fanny pack you use it to swat at him with. Akira out of reach enough that he just sticks his tongue out at you safely. In defeat you chuck his pack at him only to have it caught with ease, “We aren’t that poor.”

“Kindaichi mentioned it honestly,” Akira pointedly spilled the beans on your guys friend, “About letting him stay maybe.”

“What? Excuse me? Suddenly you’re privy to house decisions?” A bit offended that Yuutaro had said something to Akira and not you.

“He only mentioned it,” You got an eyeroll, “Once. I thought it was funny.”

Funny? Laughing at him was never funny you both knew that. It made you wonder if Yuutaro was serious. About having your old friend move in though. When you looked out at the two of them tossing the volleyball back and forth with Shoyo in the middle made it seem like they were never at ends with each other. 

“...just tell him,” Akira pushed himself up from his seated position. Earning an audible, huh, from you at his obtuse statement. Not looking back down at you though he started back with the others, “Well, I guess I should say, tell them both...I think they’d both take it well.”

Drowned out by a second you can’t believe Akira knew. Maybe he didn’t. It was just a shot in the dark. Or maybe you wore your heart out on your sleeve this much. 

Either way. After all these years nothing sounded more like home than having the two people you loved more than anything under one roof. 

[dorothydalmati1]

Bob's Burgers Season 1 Episode 1: Human Flesh

Written by Loren Bouchard & Jim Dauterive

Storyboard by Anthony Chun, Nate Clesowich, Kyounghee Lim & Brad Rader

Directed by Anthony Chun

Retakes by Wes Archer, Jennifer Coyle, Bernard Derriman & Tad Stones

[tlbodine]

1970s: Rise of the Slashers

Slasher movies are almost synonymous with horror, and though they really hit their heyday in the 1980s, their origins lie in the 70s with a few keystone films. 

Black Christmas (1974) Directed by Bob Clark

I was familiar with this film and its legacy but had never actually seen it -- and let me tell you, I was pleasantly surprised by just how good it is. Like, this is a solid film that holds up extremely well to modern viewing -- good pacing and tension, some genuinely spooky shots, an unsettlingly ambiguous ending. It also, somewhat refreshingly, has an almost exclusively female cast and centers almost all of its screentime on them. You maybe wouldn’t expect a 1974 film about carving up sorority girls to pass the Bechdel test, but here we are. 

The premise: A sorority house has been getting some unnerving prank calls from some unidentified fellow. After one of the sorority sisters goes missing, the calls escalate and become increasingly threatening...and each one seems to line up with another murder or disappearance. Against this already tense background, a different sort of interpersonal tension plays out between a pregnant girl and her emotionally unstable man-baby of a boyfriend. She wants an abortion, and he refuses to accept that answer. Could he be the one behind these awful murders? 

Watching this movie today, you can see its influences on all sorts of modern films -- especially Scream, that homage to slashers. Black Christmas also has been remade twice, once in 2019 (I haven’t seen it, but my understanding is it’s a very loose retelling and with mixed results), and it continues to enjoy a well-deserved cult following. 

But perhaps the most chilling thing about watching this movie is that 1974, the year of its release, was also the beginning of Ted Bundy’s serial killer career. It’s impossible to watch the film without thinking of Bundy and his appetite for killing college students, especially knowing that he would go on to break into a sorority house to commit a massacre of his own. 

It’s an odd and unsettling historical coincidence. 

But then, 1974 was an especially bad year for serial killings: https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/spate-of-serial-killers-made-1974-the-year-of-fear

Dennis Rader (The BTK killer), John Wayne Gacy, Coral Eugene Watts and Paul John Knowles were all actively slaying folks that year. 

No wonder the slasher film made its debut at that time. 

Halloween (1978) directed by John Carpenter is one of the most iconic horror movies of all time, and it laid the template for almost everything that would follow when it came to slasher movies. 

It’s also in itself deeply derivative, a stew that borrows ingredients from many things that have come before and delivers them up in a way that would be palatable for mass consumption.

In case you’ve somehow lived under a rock and never heard of Halloween, here’s the premise: Six-year-old Michael Myers stabs his sister to death on Halloween night and is shuffled off to a mental hospital, where he spends 15 years under the care of Dr. Loomis, a psychologist who recognizes that Myers isn’t just criminally insane, but is in fact pure evil. On the 15th anniversary of his sister’s slaying, Myers escapes the mental ward, returns to his home town, and begins killing a number of young women, his eyes on the prize of Laurie Strode, the object of his obsession. (you learn why he’s so obsessed with Laurie in a later film) 

Why was Halloween so successful? 

It creates a masked killer with a unique, instantly recognizable design. We’ve seen masked killers before (Alice Sweet Alice for one!) but this design is perfect for merchandise, promotional materials, and branding. 

Myers isn’t just a serial killer, he’s an inhuman monster. A slow-moving, silent persistence hunter who is impossible to kill, motivated and powered by sheer malevolent evil. It’s a reductive simplification of murder, stripping it down of any complicated gray areas, which gives it more mass appeal. 

Tying it to Halloween -- a holiday already associated with horror -- gives it an easy marketing tie-in (Need something to watch this holiday? It’s right there in the name! Need something for your October movie cable slot? Here you go!) 

It spawned a franchise. We certainly saw horror franchises in the 1930s, but the trend seemed to die off a bit. Halloween brought it right back to bloody life, creating not just a film but a whole mythos. 

Halloween also introduced us to The Final Girl. We’ve seen final girls a bit before this point, but Halloween really underscores the trope. Here’s Laurie. She’s Not Like Other Girls. She is Good and Pure and Innocent and that is her salvation, unlike her shitty friends who have sex and party! This framework for the identity of Final Girl would be in place for the better part of 30 years. 

Anyway. I’m roasting Halloween a bit, but I can’t help but respect the film. I also really love John Carpenter as a creative, because he is just so completely unpretentious. He makes commercially appealing, sometimes trashy films, and he never pretends otherwise, and I really respect that about the guy. He’s hilarious in interviews. I think of him and Stephen King as, like, the grumpy old uncles of the horror family. 

Also, because #WIHM is right around the corner, let’s just take a moment to appreciate Debra Hill, a screenwriter who helped make several of John Carpenter’s films, including Halloween: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Debra_Hill

She’s worked on a bunch of spectacular films and it is downright criminal that nobody ever talks about her.