By JAMES BURRELL
Shot in 1984 but not released until two years later, 1986’s SLAUGHTER HIGH received a limited theatrical release in the U.S. in November of 1986 by Vestron Pictures before heading to home video from – no surprise – Vestron Video. Directed by three people: George Dugdale, Peter Litten, and Mark Ezra, with Ezra penning most of the screenplay, the film starred horror icon Caroline Munro (Dracula A.D. 1972, Maniac) as one of Doddsville County High’s most popular students, Carol Manning, who, with the help of several of her friends decide to play a cruel April Fools’ Day prank on socially awkward science student Marty Rantzen (Simon Scuddamore).
Lured to the girls’ locker room by Carol with the promise that she’ll have sex with him, the young man is instead subjected to being filmed naked and having his head forcefully dunked in a toilet by the jocks in the group. Caught in the act by the school’s no-nonsense coach, a couple of Carol’s friends decide to keep their heartless hijinks going by sabotaging a chemistry experiment that Marty is working on, prompting an explosion that horribly burns and disfigures him. Flash-forward several years, and Carol and her friends receive invitations to attend a reunion at their old high school. Arriving to find the building now abandoned and in disrepair, the friends are (except for the caretaker ) the only ones there. Or are they? It’s probably no secret that a highly disgruntled Marty shows up to exact revenge on the ones responsible for his accident and disfigurement. Hell, it’s even stated in the film’s trailer! -And he’s been waiting to try out his own lethal April Fools’ Day pranks on them.
One of the quirkier slashers to come out during the 1980s, SLAUGHTER HIGH was a U.K./U.S. co-production filmed in England with a predominantly British cast and crew. Originally shot under the title April Fool’s Day, the name had to be changed due to Paramount Pictures releasing its slasher of the same name that same year. Tonally uneven, with moments of broad humor early in the film that would feel at home in a Troma film, some slightly unconvincing American accents (though there are a few American actors in the film) and the oldest “teenagers” you’ve ever seen in a horror flick (Munro was 35 years old when the film was shot, with several of the other cast members being in their late twenties), it’s unlike most films in the slasher subgenre. Despite this, the film remains memorable for its creative kills, the provocative score by Friday the 13th film series composer Harry Manfredini, the movie poster of a skeletal, mortarboard-wearing Marty holding an explosive-laden apple, and its killer, who sports a letterman jacket, an old man mask, and a jester’s hat with bells that jingle while he stalks his prey. Sadly, this was Scuddermore’s first and only film role, as the actor, who reportedly suffered from depression, committed suicide shortly after filming wrapped.
Now, nearly 40 years after its release, SLAUGHTER HIGH has been adapted into a novelization (available in both hardcover and mass market paperback) courtesy of indie publisher Terrorcore Publishing. Written by author and editor Caleb J. Pecue, the book manages to enhance and improve upon elements of the story while staying faithful to the source material. Pecue fleshes out numerous characters and provides a detailed backstory for drama student-turned actress and model Carol, and the often-bullied Marty, and explores dynamics at the school – both staff and student body alike– that would overlook or contribute to abuse towards social outcasts like Marty. Fast-paced and suspenseful, the novel describes the carnage inflicted by our homicidal jokester before culminating in a climax that is much different, but more satisfying than its cinematic predecessor. Featuring a fascinating foreword by Mark Ezra and an introduction by Pecue, the book features fantastic cover art of a masked and knife-wielding Marty by Austin Hinderliter of Creepy Carves Design. Highly recommended.
SRP for Slaughter High: The Official Novelization is $16.99 USD for the mass market paperback and $28.99 USD for the hardcover edition. The book is available on Amazon and directly from the Terrorcore site. Orders from Terrorcore will come with a free Slaughter High bookmark and can also be signed by Pecue.
