Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988)

Ten years after his original massacre, the invalid Michael Myers awakens and returns to Haddonfield to kill his seven-year-old niece on Halloween. Can Dr. Loomis stop him?

Director:

Dwight H. Little

Writers:

Danny Lipsius (story), Larry Rattner (story),

Stars:

Donald Pleasence, Ellie Cornell, Danielle Harris

2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Donald Pleasence	...	Dr. Sam Loomis
Ellie Cornell	...	Rachel Carruthers
Danielle Harris	...	Jamie Lloyd
George P. Wilbur	...	Michael Myers
Michael Pataki	...	Dr. Hoffman
Beau Starr	...	Sheriff Ben Meeker
Kathleen Kinmont	...	Kelly Meeker
Sasha Jenson	...	Brady
Gene Ross	...	Earl
Carmen Filpi	...	Rev. Jackson P. Sayer
Raymond O'Connor	...	Security Guard
Jeff Olson	...	Richard Carruthers
Karen Alston	...	Darlene Carruthers
Nancy Borgenicht	...	Woman Attendant
David Jensen	...	Man Attendant

Storyline

It's October 30, 1988 and Michael Myers has been in a coma since his pursuit of Laurie Strode, 10 years ago, was finally stopped (events of H1 and H2). However when he is transfered from Richmond Mental Institute to Smith's Grove he awakes when he hears that he has a niece in Haddonfield and after killing the transfer crew he escapes. In Haddonfield, the niece, Jamie, has been adopted by the Carruthers family but keeps having nightmares about Michael (but she doesn't know who he is). On Halloween night, Jamie goes out trick and treating, little knowing that her murdering Uncle is following her and her step-sister Rachel. Rushing to her aid is Dr. Loomis and with the help of Sheriff Meeker starts to search the town for Michael and to find Jamie to protect her. But can anything stop Michael this time?

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Plot Keywords:

michael myers | halloween | ambulance | murder | blood | 

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Taglines:

Ten Years Ago HE Changed The Face Of Halloween. Tonight HE'S BACK!

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Genres:

Horror | Thriller

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Certificate:

R

Details

Official Sites:

Trancas International Films

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 October 1988 (USA)

Also Known As:

Halloween 4

Filming Locations:

1300 E 700 S Salt Lake City, Utah, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$5,000,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$17,768,000 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Trancas International Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

88 min

Sound Mix:

Ultra Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Series creator John Carpenter wrote a treatment for this film, that was a more ghostly psychological approach to the Michael Myers mythos. It concerned the town of Haddonfield and what effect the events of the first two films have had on the it's citizens. This concept was later rejected by the producers in favor of the typical slasher fare, at which point in time John Carpernter bailed out of the film, making this the first film in the series to have no participation from him.

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Goofs

In every scene before he is shot at or struck, it is obvious that there is protective padding under his coveralls.

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Quotes

Sheriff Ben Meeker: Oh yeah... I catch you gropin' my daughter, I'll use that shotgun on you. You understand?
Brady: [Brady nods "yes"]

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Connections

Featured in Nightmares in Red, White and Blue: The Evolution of the American Horror Film (2009)

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Soundtracks

"Halloween Theme"
by John Carpenter

User Reviews

Great performances by all, excellent sequel

The first time I saw this film, I was bored. I thought it was uneventful. But then, I watched it a second time and loved it. This movie is very suspenseful, has very little blood/gore, and the acting by Danielle Harris is just incredible. I also love Ellis Cornell, she is such a doll! Brady was an idiot to let go of such a cute girl.

Rent this! It's better than II and V.