Scalps (1983)

Silly group of college science students go an dig around in an indian burial ground for artifacts. Unfortunately, one of them becomes possessed by the evil spirit of Black Claw so he must ... See full summary »

Director:

Fred Olen Ray

Writers:

Fred Olen Ray (screenplay), T.L. Lankford (story)

Stars:

Jo-Ann Robinson, Richard Hench, Roger Maycock

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jo-Ann Robinson	...	D.J. (as Jo Ann Robinson)
Richard Hench	...	Randy / Black Claw
Roger Maycock	...	Kershaw Ellerbe
Frank McDonald	...	Ben Murphy
Carol Sue Flockhart	...	Louise Landon
Barbara Magnusson	...	Ellen Corman
Kirk Alyn	...	Professor Machen
Carroll Borland	...	Dr. Sharon Reynolds
Cynthia Hartline	...	Ann
Forrest J. Ackerman	...	Professor Trentwood
George Randall	...	Billy Ironwing
Jay Walker	...	Kyle Dunne
Frank Scott	...	Prospector
Pepi	...	Little Kid
Romeo Rodriguis	...	Cashier

Storyline

Silly group of college science students go an dig around in an indian burial ground for artifacts. Unfortunately, one of them becomes possessed by the evil spirit of Black Claw so he must therefore slaughter all of his friends.

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Plot Keywords:

student | burial ground | cult film | teepee | station wagon | 

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Taglines:

They came out of the grave... to get REVENGE!

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Genres:

Horror

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

December 1983 (USA)

Also Known As:

Der Fluch des blutigen Schatzes

Filming Locations:

Agua Dulce, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

American Partnership

Technical Specs

Runtime:

82 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

According to director Fred Olen Ray this film was severely re-edited without his consent by the distributor at the time of its release. Scenes were added out of context which threw off continuity and gave away major spoilers such the fates of most of the characters, as well as the shots of chanting Indian ghost's head, which was haphazardly overlayed over such scenes as the old man cutting his own throat. Also all but one of the scenes showing the ghost with the lion's head were shot as test footage and were never intended to be included in the released film.

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Goofs

A blood tube can be seen briefly on the back of the knife during the scalping scene.

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Crazy Credits

Next summer watch for SCALPS II: THE RETURN OF D.J.

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Connections

References Death Curse of Tartu (1966)

User Reviews

We want the promised sequel!

A group of college archaeologist students travel into the California desert to dig up Native American artifacts. Despite the warnings of town drunk Billy Ironwing, the group trespasses into a burial ground and accidentally unleashes the spirit of Indian shaman Black Claw, who possesses one of them and begins killing. I've had this Fred Olen Ray horror flick for over a decade, but never watched it until last night. It is certainly limited, but good fun thanks to some gory special effects (including a scalping that rivals MANIAC) and some goofy stuff (why is the shaman shown wearing jeans in the early bits). Fred certainly got better technically over time, but this still proves to be better than the stuff he is cranking out now (those horrible BIKINI T&A movies). The final credit promises a SCALPS II: THE RETURN OF D.J., but we never got it. C'mon, Fred, don't let us down! We need that before you stop making films.