Butcher, Baker, Nightmare Maker (1982)

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:

A Haunting Rhyme for Bedtime.

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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

The film's French title, 'À la limite du cauchemar', translates to 'On the Verge of the Nightmare'.

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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

Detective Joe Carlson: Now, Miss Roberts, you married?
Cheryl Roberts: No.
Detective Joe Carlson: Divorced?
Cheryl Roberts: No.
Detective Joe Carlson: Widowed?
Cheryl Roberts: No.
Detective Joe Carlson: But you do have boyfriends?
Cheryl Roberts: No.
Detective Joe Carlson: Do you like girls?
Cheryl Roberts: God, you're a pig!

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Connections

Referenced in There's Nothing Out There (1991)

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Soundtracks

Little Boy Billy
Words and Music by Joyce Bulifant

User Reviews

A shocking and powerful 'lost' film.

The strongest of horror films always seems to be those whose victims are sympathetic and whose villains are mercilessly frightening. Night Warning is a testament to just that!

Young man becomes the unhealthy obsession of his aunt, who raised him, which leads him into a web of madness and murder!

Night Warning is a relatively unknown film, which is a shame because it is a truly effective and fairly original thriller. The story is very intriguing, full of mystery, suspense, and some solid shocks. A big part of the originality factor of this film is the fact that the story dares to explore subjects very rarely touched upon by most genre pictures, such as incest, homosexuality, and the question of what morally right really is. It is a complex and emotionally strong tale, that's gripping in a way that few thrillers ever are.

The excellent cast is another strong feature of this movie. Bo Svenson is solid as a homophobic police detective. A young Jimmy McNichol is touching as an attractive teen desperately trying to have a normal life. The greatest of all though is Susan Tyrrell as one of the most demented villains you'll ever see! Also among the cast is a young Bill Paxton in one of his earliest roles.

Night Warning is a terrific shocker that seems to have been lost over time, but for those seeking a truly jarring genre picture it is well worth finding a copy of!

**** out of ****