American Nightmare (1983)

User Rating:

4.1/10   

Director:

Don McBrearty

Writers:

Steven Blake (story)
John Gault (story)

Release Date:

June 1984 (USA)

Genre:

Horror | Crime | Thriller

Plot:

A man investigates the disappearance of his sister with the help of her roommate. He uncovers a trail of prostitution, incest, blackmail...and murder. |

Plot Keywords:

Murder | Prostitution | Stripper | Nude Woman Murdered | Throat Slitting

Cast

Lawrence Day	...	Eric (as Lawrence S. Day)
Lora Staley	...	Louise
Neil Dainard	...	Tony
Lenore Zann	...	Tina
Claudia Udy	...	Andrea
Page Fletcher	...	Mark
Michael Ironside	...	Sgt. Skylar (as Mike Ironside)
Larry Aubrey	...	Dolly
Michael Copeman	...	Fixer (as Mike Copeman)
Bunty Webb	...	Operator
Tom Harvey	...	Hamilton
Paul Bradley	...	Motel Manager
Peter Lavender	...	Wally
Martin Doyle	...	Tanner (as Marty Doyle)
Don MacQuarrie	...	Mugger

Runtime:

88 min

Country:

Canada

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Australia:M | USA:R | Canada:R (Ontario)

Filming Locations:

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Company:

Manesco Films

Movie Connections:

References Scorchy (1976)

Not good, but enjoyable early 80's sleaze

Most of the other reviews of this are pretty much spot on. This movie does have elements of the Italian giallo, but it is much more gritty and realistic than the garish and stylized gialli. It also resembles America slasher movies (many of which, like this movie, were actually Canadian tax shelter productions). It's not a TEEN slasher movie, however, with rutting adolescents being almost metaphorically bumped off by an unreal murderous "boogey man"; this is a more realistic movie, as much crime thriller as horror flick. It resembles gritty, urban films like "Maniac", "Nightmares in a Damaged Brain", or "The New York Ripper" but, for better or worse, doesn't quite attain that level of sordidness. It's more of a downbeat and sleazy but less harrowing film, like "Too Scared to Scream" or "Windows".

In a nod to "Hardcore" (as another reviewer noted) this movie is about a brother looking for his younger sister in the red light district of strippers and prostitutes. In a noirish touch the audience knows from the opening sequence that the sister is already dead, but the brother's search will bring him face-to-face with her killer, a vicious modern-day "Jack the Ripper" who is carving up wayward women with a straight razor.

A young Michael Ironside has a supporting role as police detective, and the murdered sister is played by a young Alexandra Paul. The latter has a long topless scene--and this might be the main reason this film is still sought out by anyone today. As for me though, I have a soft spot in my heart (or perhaps my brain-pan) for this kind of early 80's sleaze. If you feel the same way, you might want to check this one out.