Candyman (1992)

The Candyman, a murderous soul with a hook for a hand, is accidentally summoned to reality by a skeptic grad student researching the monster's myth.

Director:

Bernard Rose

Writers:

Clive Barker (story), Bernard Rose

Stars:

Virginia Madsen, Tony Todd, Xander Berkeley

4 wins & 5 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Virginia Madsen	...	Helen Lyle
Tony Todd	...	The Candyman / Daniel Robitaille
Xander Berkeley	...	Trevor Lyle
Kasi Lemmons	...	Bernadette 'Bernie' Walsh
Vanessa Williams	...	Anne-Marie McCoy
DeJuan Guy	...	Jake
Marianna Elliott	...	Clara (as Marianna Eliott)
Ted Raimi	...	Billy
Ria Pavia	...	Monica
Mark Daniels	...	Student
Lisa Ann Poggi	...	Diane
Adam Philipson	...	Danny
Eric Edwards	...	Harold
Carolyn Lowery	...	Stacey
Barbara Alston	...	Henrietta Mosely

Storyline

Helen Lyle is a student who decides to write a thesis about local legends and myths. She visits a part of the town, where she learns about the legend of the Candyman, a one-armed man who appears when you say his name five times, in front of a mirror. Of course, Helen doesn't believe all this stuff, but the people of the area are really afraid. When she ignores their warnings and begins her investigation in the places that he is rumored to appear, a series of horrible murders begins. Could the legend be true?

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Plot Keywords:

candyman | mirror | urban legend | hook | investigation | 

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Taglines:

Candyman, Candyman, Candyman, Candyman... Don't Say Again!

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Genres:

Horror

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violence and gore

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

16 October 1992 (USA)

Also Known As:

Clive Barker's Candyman

Filming Locations:

Cabrini-Green Public Housing Projects, Near North Side, Chicago, Illinois, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$8,000,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$25,792,310 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

PolyGram Filmed Entertainment, Propaganda Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

99 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo (Dolby Stereo)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Exterior, hallway and stairway scenes were actually filmed for a few days in the infamous Cabrini-Green housing projects, though the producers had to make a deal with the ruling gang members to put them in the movie as extras to ensure the cast and crew's safety during filming. Even with this arrangement, a sniper put a bullet through the production van on the last day of filming, though no one was injured.

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Goofs

During the course of the movie, we hear bells release classes and we see lockers. "Candyman" is set at a university, so there wouldn't be bells or lockers.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Candyman: They will say that I have shed innocent blood. What's blood for, if not for shedding?

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Connections

Referenced in The 100 Greatest Scary Moments (2003)

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Soundtracks

"STATE OF INDEPENDENCE"
Written by Vangelis and Jon Anderson
Performed by Moodswings
Featuring the voice of Chrissie Hynde
Courtesy of Arista Records Inc. / BMG Eurodisc Ltd

User Reviews

Dare you say his name five times... "Candyman"

Undoubtedly one of the more original and frightening horror movies of the early 90s, Bernard Rose's "Candyman," an adaptation of famed author Clive Barker's "The Forbidden," stands well on its own as an effectively creepy film.

I was only about six or seven when I first heard the terrifying "Bloody Mary" legend, which was similar to the Candyman legend. And I'm sure others have heard stories about alligators in the sewer or the hesitant 911 operator. Indeed, the "Candyman" and "Bloody Mary" legends do share some common ground, in that if you chant their names before a mirror "x" number of times, they'll appear behind you and hack you to pieces.

I used to believe in these legends - when I was kid - but as I grew older, I realized that they're just legends and therefore aren't meant to be taken literally. But that's the central dilemma with 1992's "Candyman": If you believe in something enough, will that belief make fiction reality?

The Candyman (Tony Todd) has claimed responsibility for a series of grisly slayings in a particularly rough Chicago housing project, and Helen Lyle (Virginia Madsen) is anxious to discredit the myths. But when she is falsely accused of several brutal murders, could the Candyman be out for revenge, because she doubted him?

I'll admit upfront that I'm not familiar with the works of Clive Barker, who is clearly one of the most talented writers of the last 20 years. Only this film and "Hellraiser" have been able to capture my interest, unfortunately. "Candyman" is certainly a terrifying experience from start to finish, as you can't really be sure if the hook-handed spectral entity of the title actually exists in the physical world.

10/10