Graduation Day (1981)

Director:

Herb Freed

Writers:

David Baughn (story)
Herb Freed (writer)

Release Date:

1 May 1981 (USA)

Genre:

Horror | Mystery | Sport | Thriller

Tagline:

Graduating from high school has never been so deadly...

Plot:

After a high school track runner, named Laura, suddenly dies from a heart attack after finishing a 30-second 100-meter race...

Plot Keywords:

Track | School Principal | Mask | High School | Coach

Cast

Christopher George	...	Coach George Michaels
Patch Mackenzie	...	Anne Ramstead
E. Danny Murphy	...	Kevin Badger
E.J. Peaker	...	Blondie
Michael Pataki	...	Principal Guglione
Richard Balin	...	Mr. Roberts
Carmen Argenziano	...	Insp. Halliday
Beverly Dixon	...	Elaine Ramstead
Virgil Frye	...	Officer MacGregor
Hal Bokar	...	Ronald Corliss
Denise Cheshire	...	Sally
Bill Hufsey	...	Tony Fisk (as Billy Hufsey)
Linnea Quigley	...	Dolores
Karen Abbott	...	Joanne
Vanna White	...	Doris

Runtime:

96 min | Australia:93 min | UK:92 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Iceland:16 | UK:15 (DVD rating) | Australia:R | Norway:18 (video premiere) | UK:18 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Descanso Gardens - 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada-Flintridge, California, USA

Trivia:

The blonde girl in the number 46 track jersey was cut out of the film as much as possible since she was fired due to refusal to fulfill the nudity requirements. Linnea Quigley was hired to replace her.

Quotes:

Principal Guglione: What do you say I come by your place later on with a bottle of wine after you're finished. Hm?
Blondie: You know something, Mr. Guglione?
Principal Guglione: Hm?
Blondie: You are a real bastard.
[pause]
Blondie: Make it around midnight.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Going to Pieces: The Rise and Fall of the Slasher Film (2006)

Soundtrack:

Graduation Day Blues

They don't make movies like this anymore...

If you love late seventies and early eighties horror/terror/thriller/slasher flicks, this one is a must see. It is in the same league as "Prom Night" and "Hell Night". "Graduation Day" captures a feeling, a mood, a place in time that only exists in the imagination. The music, the acting, the camera work, the characters are a way we can remember 1981. Movies simply don't have the qualities of "Graduation Day" anymore. There are rough edges here. There are simple characters and characters that are not fully developed. Is Ann, the victim's sister, a lesbian? This is only touched on a little during the story. Why doesn't the police office who investigates the disappearance of the victims dislike schools? How did the principal and his secretary begin their affair and what keeps it going? A scene in which a beheading takes place is intercut with a girl rollerskating who likes a lot like the Alice character from "Friday the 13th". As the initiated know, Alice beheaded Mrs. Voorhees. Was this scene a nod to "Friday the 13th"? Has anyone noticed this scene? What happened to Kevin's parents? Does he live alone with his crazy grandmother? They really don't make them like this anymore. I'm not sure if anyone even tries. "Scream" was said to have paid homage to "Graduation Day" and several other movies of that era. I am going to watch it again while keeping that statement in mind. "Graduation Day" is the real deal. Of all the "Halloween" and "Friday the 13th" clones it is one of the highest caliber. Christopher George, Patch McKenzie and the guy from "Fame" (I think) lend star quality. Today's independent films try to capture the spirit of movies like this.