Dark Night of the Scarecrow (1981) (TV)

Director:

Frank De Felitta

Writers:

J.D. Feigelson (screenplay)
J.D. Feigelson (story)
(more)

Release Date:

24 October 1981 (USA)

Genre:

Horror | Mystery

Tagline:

The Original Classic

Plot:

In a small town, a wrongfully killed man exacts revenge on those who murdered him beyond the grave.

Plot Keywords:

Scarecrow | Revenge | Grave | Small Town | Silo

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Charles Durning	...	Otis P. Hazelrigg
Robert F. Lyons	...	Skeeter Norris
Claude Earl Jones	...	Philby
Lane Smith	...	Harless Hocker
Tonya Crowe	...	Marylee Williams
Larry Drake	...	Bubba Ritter
Jocelyn Brando	...	Mrs. Ritter
Tom Taylor	...	D.A. Sam Willock
Richard McKenzie	...	Judge Henry
Ivy Jones	...	Mrs. Willams
James Tartan	...	Mr. Williams (as Jim Tartan)
Ed Call	...	Defense Attorney
Alice Nunn	...	Mrs. Bunch
John Steadman	...	Mr. Loomis
Dave Adams	...	Deputy (as David Adams)
Ivy Bethune	...	Mrs. Hocker
Dennis Robertson	...	Ray
Jetta Scelza	...	Mrs. Whimberly
Modi Frank	...	Waitress
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
J.D. Feigelson	...	Ludie - CB radio (uncredited)
Robert J. Koster	...	The Scarecrow (uncredited)

Directed by
Frank De Felitta

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
J.D. Feigelson		screenplay
J.D. Feigelson		story
Butler Handcock		story

Produced by
Bobbi Frank	....	producer
Janet Greek	....	associate producer
Joe Wizan	....	executive producer

Original Music by
Glenn Paxton

Cinematography by
Vincent A. Martinelli		(as Vincent Martinelli)

Film Editing by
Skip Lusk

Casting by
Toni Howard
Lynn Stalmaster

Art Direction by
Charles Zacha Jr.		(as Charles M. Zacha Jr.)

Set Decoration by
Dennis W. Peeples		(as Dennis Peeples)

Makeup Department
Stephen Robinette	....	hair stylist (as Steve Robinette)
Jeremy Swan	....	makeup artist

Production Management
Robert Dixon	....	post-production supervisor
Robert J. Koster	....	unit production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Thomas A. Bliss	....	dga trainee (as Tom Bliss)
Daisy Gerber	....	first assistant director
Bart Roe	....	second assistant director
J.D. Feigelson	....	second unit director (uncredited)

Art Department
V.R. Bud Shelton	....	property master

Sound Department
Bonnie Koehler	....	sound editor
James Pilcher	....	sound mixer (as Jim Pilcher)
Clint Althouse	....	boom operator (uncredited)
James Bailey	....	foley artist (uncredited)

Special Effects by
Cliff Wenger	....	special effects

Stunts
John Meier	....	stunt coordinator (as John C. Meier)

Camera and Electrical Department
Ron McManus	....	camera operator
Frank Palmer	....	key grip
Robert A. Petzoldt III	....	gaffer (as Bob Petzoldt III)
Paul Jacobsen	....	set lighting technician (uncredited)
Reggie Newkirk	....	key first assistant camera (uncredited)

Casting Department
Barbara Fisk	....	extras casting

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Judith Brewer Curtis	....	assistant costumer
Leslie Karten	....	costumer

Editorial Department
James L. Honore	....	post-production (as Jimmy Honoré)
Jeff Zacha	....	assistant editor

Music Department
Jeff Johns	....	executive soundtrack producer
Douglas M. Lackey	....	music editor (as Doug Lackey)

Transportation Department
Tom Blomquist	....	transportation captain
Chuck Hanson	....	transportation coordinator
Thomas M. Krigbaum	....	transportation captain (uncredited)

Other crew
Sherrie Bayer	....	production assistant
May Wale Brown	....	script supervisor
Selma Brown	....	production accountant
Modi Frank	....	production assistant
Pat Keating	....	assistant to producer
Shari Leibowitz	....	production coordinator
Kool Marder	....	location manager (as Kool Lusby)
Jeff Rafner	....	production assistant

Production Companies

• Wizan Productions (as Wizan TV Productions)

Distributors

• Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) (1981) (USA) (TV)
• Donau-Film (2012) (Germany) (DVD)
• Fox Video (1996) (USA) (VHS)
• Front Row Entertainment (????) (USA) (VHS)
• Key Video (1986) (USA) (VHS)
• Televisie Radio Omroep Stichting (TROS) (19??) (Netherlands) (TV)
• Truegore Video (????) (USA) (DVD)
• VCI Entertainment (2010) (USA) (DVD)
• VCI Entertainment (2011) (USA) (DVD) (Blu-Ray)

Other Companies

• Lynn Stalmaster & Associates  casting
• Zeiderman, Oberman & Associates Inc.  production accounting
• Gomillion Sound  post-production
• Consolidated Film Industries (CFI)  titles and opticals

Also Known As:

Runtime:

96 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Iceland:16 | Australia:M | USA:Not Rated

Filming Locations:

Piru, California, USA

Company:

Wizan Productions

Trivia:

Screenwriter J.D. Feigelson saw the name Otis P. Hazelrigg on a sign and liked it so much that he used it for the main character.

Quotes:

Mrs. Hocker:If you're not plantin'... why would you put up a scarecrow?

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Bubba Didn't Do It!: 30 Years of Dark Night of the Scarecrow (2011)

One of the best horror films!

It's strange this was a movie made for TV and it wasn't released in DVD yet! It was extremely good! The story was original and touching, the atmosphere throughout the movie was just perfect and don't let me tell you about the acting: EVERYONE in this movie portrayed its role exceptionally. I think the best were Bubba, his mother and the mailman, but as I said, everyone even the kid was just perfect.

This movie had several and tremendous creepy moments! It's interesting to see those moments were not based in gore or special effects. Instead, they were based in suspense, atmosphere and acting. That makes this movie better than many others of its genre. And the ending? Well... I will just tell you it's one of the most chilling endings I have ever seen. It's VERY haunting. The first time I had seen this movie was 20 years ago and today I still remembered it!

Recommended 100% for all horror and suspense lovers. You won't be disappointed! If you see the VHS at your club or library go for it!