He Knows You're Alone (1980)

A young bride-to-be is being stalked upon by a serial killer in Staten Island. She gets help from a former lover, but will they manage to escape?

Director:

Armand Mastroianni

Writer:

Scott Parker

Stars:

Don Scardino, Caitlin O'Heaney, Elizabeth Kemp

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Don Scardino	...	Marvin
Caitlin O'Heaney	...	Amy Jensen
Elizabeth Kemp	...	Nancy
Tom Rolfing	...	Ray Carlton (the killer)
Lewis Arlt	...	Det. Len Gamble
Patsy Pease	...	Joyce
James Rebhorn	...	Prof. Carl Mason
Tom Hanks	...	Elliot
Dana Barron	...	Diana
Joseph Leon	...	Ralph the Tailor
Paul Gleason	...	Det. Frank Daley
James Carroll	...	Phil
Brian Byers	...	Bernie
Curt Hostetter	...	Tommy
Robin Lamont	...	Ruthie

Storyline

A reluctant bride to be is stalked by a serial killer who only kills brides and the people around them. While her friends get whacked one by one, a hard boiled renegade cop whose bride had been killed years before tries to hunt him down before it is too late. Meanwhile, the bride has to figure out if it is all in her imagination or not, aided by her ex-boyfriend...

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Plot Keywords:

slasher | low budget film | man murders a woman | stabbing a woman | blood | 

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Taglines:

Every girl is frightened the night before her wedding, but this time... there's good reason!

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Genres:

Horror | Thriller

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

29 August 1980 (USA)

Also Known As:

Shriek

Filming Locations:

Something Sweet, 314 New Dorp Lane, Staten Island, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$250,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

94 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

For years it was believed that Pat Benatar's hit song "Hell Is For Children" was featured in the film's soundtrack. The song, however, is never heard throughout the film, nor credited on the closing titles.

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Goofs

In the scene where Nancy plays the record album, there are two close-ups of the album on the turntable. From the first close-up to the second close-up, the speed of the spinning record has increased, although the speed/pitch of the music remains constant.

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Quotes

Nancy: Amy's getting married in a few weeks and she thinks some maniac is following her around.
Elliot: Oh, is he a big man?
Amy: Let's just forget it.
Elliot: No Amy, is he a big man?
Amy: Yes.
Elliot: Probably sexual!

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Connections

Referenced in The Big Box: Deep Throat (2010)

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Soundtracks

It's the Night Again
Words by Alexander Peskanov and Mark Peskanov, Brooksie Wells
Music by Alexander Peskanov and Mark Peskanov
Sung by Vini Canali
© 1980 by Chappell & Co., Inc., Mir Music Corp. & Intersong USA Inc.

User Reviews

Wedding Slasher

Yet another enjoyable 80's slasher but added with a little something different. The characters are not stupid teens, the killer doesn't wear a mask and there is not gratuitous gore and nudity prioritized for plot and story. This is actually a really neat and slick slasher film, and not as sleazy as many other movies of the same type.

The acting is above average. Caitlin O'Heaney is a really sincere and likable heroine, who - like her on screen friends - is so sympathetic that you really care for her. Don Scardino is also very likable, and fun, as O'Heaney's ex-boyfriend. Also, for curiosity seekers, a pre-fame Tom Hanks (in his debut) pops up in an early role and fits in rather well. Too bad his on screen time is limited to two scenes where he explains the psychology of fear.

This film has quite a bit of suspense and thrilling horror and adding to the suspense and thrills. Only O'Heaney's character is aware that something's wrong and it's her fear that we can sympathize with. Also there are effective locations like amusement parks, movie theatres (in a good opening scene that obviously inspired "Scream 2") and a big house.

Unfortunately the film has some serious flaws. It would work really well as a thriller but is obviously built up like a slasher film. Still it lacks gore and the murders are very unoriginal and often off-screen. Also, like many horror films this starts out great but falls back on a disappointing climax. After behaving pretty rationally throughout the movie our heroine makes several stupid mistakes before turning into a wimp who doesn't seem to be able to defend herself.

All in all a slick slasher film with a good and likable cast sympathetic characters and suspenseful situations.