Butcher, Baker, Nightmare Maker (1981)

An orphaned teenager finds himself being dominated by his aunt who's hell-bent on keeping him with her...at all costs.

Director:

William Asher

Writers:

Steve Breimer (screenplay) (as Stephen Breimer), Alan Jay Glueckman (screenplay)

Stars:

Jimmy McNichol, Susan Tyrrell, Bo Svenson

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jimmy McNichol	...	Billy Lynch
Susan Tyrrell	...	Cheryl Roberts (Aunt Cheryl)
Bo Svenson	...	Detective Joe Carlson
Marcia Lewis	...	Margie
Julia Duffy	...	Julia
Britt Leach	...	Sgt. Cook
Steve Eastin	...	Coach Tom Landers
Caskey Swaim	...	Phil Brody
Cooper Neal	...	Frank
Bill Paxton	...	Eddie (as William Paxton)
Kay Kimler	...	Anna Lynch
Gary Baxley	...	Bill Lynch, Sr.
Vickie Oleson	...	Lady Police Officer
Clemente Anchondo	...	Jail Arrestee
Alex Baker	...	Police Officer Westcott

Storyline

Since the death of his parents fourteen years ago, Billy Lynch has been raised by his over-protective aunt Cheryl. But once he turns seventeen, he is soon set on planning his life...without her. He's planing on going on to college and is dating local girl Julie. None of which sits well for his aunt, who's lost everyone else in her life and now with her nephew ready to leave, ensures she starts on a campaign to keep him with her...forever.But as her plans misfire she becomes swept up in a cycle of psychosis and frenzied violence all being blamed on Billy by everyone else...including a homophobic detective, who's anti-gay prejudice is steadily reaching its zenith...leading to an unforeseeable outcome.

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Plot Keywords:

prejudice | cult film | aunt nephew relationship | male rear nudity | male nudity | 

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Taglines:

They didn't go looking for trouble. They were just too curious. Now ... They know too much to live.

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Genres:

Horror | Thriller

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

February 1982 (USA)

Also Known As:

Butcher, Baker, Nightmare Maker

Company Credits

Production Co:

S2D Associates,Royal American Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Daryl Hannah and Ally Sheedy both auditioned for the role of Julia.

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Goofs

During the accident at the beginning of the film, it becomes apparent that there is no one in the drivers seat or in the passenger seat in certain shots especially when the car is falling off the cliff.

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Quotes

Cheryl Roberts: Perverts and sluts! They are doing everything they can to take him away from us.

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Connections

Referenced in Video Violence 2 (1987)

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Soundtracks

Little Boy Billy
Words and Music by Joyce Bulifant

User Reviews

Tyrrell, Svenson, and Asher Help Lift This Above the Routine

If you've seen a million cheap 70's/80's horror movies with bodies in the cellar, 'shocking' revelations, and dreary drama interspersed with a few gory killings then you might consider this a notch above the rest. Not that there's anything original about it, but director Asher (whose claim to fame are directing TV sitcoms and those beach party movies) has a good handle on the demented nature of this material. He deliberately paces it only to finally unleash it all for a very twisted and kinetic climax. He also shoots a very well mounted, realistic looking car accident at the beginning. Basically the story concerns a very possessive aunt (Tyrrell) who goes completely over the edge when her 18 year old Billy decides to move out. Seems hard to believe that a kid could be living with someone for 14 years and only when he's ready to leave does he realize what a nut she is. Then again if you have a part for a good looking kid that is dull, simple, and clueless then Jimmy McNichol (you know Kristi's brother) is the perfect person to fill it. Tyrrell is fantastic, but then she always is with these types of roles. Her performance though is almost equaled to that of Bo Svenson. His brash, gruff, unorthodox investigator character becomes almost as frightening as hers. Great chance to see young Bill Paxton and pre NEWHART Julia Duffy (you even get to see her topless). A real refreshing change of pace here where believe it or not, NONE of the victims are oversexed, screaming teenagers.