Black Christmas (1974)

During their Christmas break, a group of sorority girls are stalked by a stranger.

Director:

Bob Clark

Writer:

Roy Moore (screenplay)

Stars:

Olivia Hussey, Keir Dullea, Margot Kidder

2 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Olivia Hussey	...	Jess
Keir Dullea	...	Peter
Margot Kidder	...	Barb
John Saxon	...	Lt. Ken Fuller
Marian Waldman	...	Mrs. Mac
Andrea Martin	...	Phyl
James Edmond	...	Mr. Harrison
Doug McGrath	...	Sargeant Nash (as Douglas McGrath)
Art Hindle	...	Chris Hayden
Lynne Griffin	...	Clare Harrison
Michael Rapport	...	Patrick
Leslie Carlson	...	Graham (as Les Carlson)
Martha Gibson	...	Mrs. Quaife
John Rutter	...	Laughing Detective
Robert Warner	...	Doctor

Storyline

It's time for Christmas break, and the sorority sisters make plans for the holiday, but the strange anonymous phone calls are beginning to put them on edge. When Clare disappears, they contact the police, who don't express much concern. Meanwhile Jess is planning to get an abortion, but boyfriend Peter is very much against it. The police finally begin to get concerned when a 13-year-old girl is found dead in the park. They set up a wiretap to the sorority house, but will they be in time to prevent a sorority girl attrition problem?

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Plot Keywords:

christmas | sorority house | mysterious killer | telephone | telephone call | 

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Taglines:

Black Christmas will ROCK you too!

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Genres:

Horror | Mystery | Thriller

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Certificate:

R

Did You Know?

Trivia

It was composer Carl Zittrer who contacted star John Saxon, who he met on a previous film, about filling in for the role of Lt. Fuller at the last minute.

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Goofs

Barb is clearly not pushing down on her inhaler as she's breathing in the mist.

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Quotes

Billy: [to Barb, on the phone] I'll stick my tongue up your pretty pussy!

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Crazy Credits

A telephone is continously ringing throughout the final credits.

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Alternate Versions

Original US theatrical release opened with the 1970s black and red Warner Bros. logo and had the title changed to "Silent Night, Evil Night" (this was also what it was named on the original posters). But all home video and subsequent theatrical releases in the US remove the logo and revert back to the original Black Christmas title.

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Connections

Featured in Tax Shelter Terrors (2017)

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Soundtracks

Jingle Bells
Written by James Pierpont (uncredited)
Jingle Bells and Choral Effects performed by the Counterpoint Singers
Conducted by Paul Feheley

User Reviews

CREE-PY!!!!

I am probably not the BEST person to review this movie, as I have only seen it twice, but with this particular film, that's enough. It's creepy as hell. I am a major horror fan and because of that that statement is NOT an easy one for me to say. The phone calls from the killer to the girls freak the livin' shhh out of me! The voice sounds almost warped and garbled, uhh I am having chills now thinking about it! It's crazy that it was directed by the same man who did the perennial Christmas family fave "A Christmas Story" and "Porky's". All of the actors did a great job, especially Margot Kidder as the drunken sorority girl. She was my favorite, I think. Also in this is Andrea Martin, most recently famous for "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" as one of the girls. I watched it right around Christmas time and it freaked me out like y'all wouldn't even believe. Of all the Holiday-themed horror movies ("Silent Night, Deadly Night", "My Bloody Valentine", etc.) I think this is right up there with "Halloween". Major props to all involved, just DON'T watch this one at night OR alone, you think you will be able get to sleep? YOU WON'T!!!!

Details

Country:

Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 December 1974 (USA)

Also Known As:

Silent Night, Evil Night

Filming Locations:

6 Clarendon Crescent, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

$620,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

August Films, Film Funding Ltd. of Canada, Canadian Film Development Corporation (CFDC)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

98 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1