Trick or Treat (1986)

A bullied teenage boy is devastated after the death of his heavy metal idol, Sammi Curr. But as Hallowe'en night approaches, he discovers that he may be the only one who can stop Sammi from making a Satanic comeback from beyond the grave.

Director:

Charles Martin Smith

Writers:

Rhet Topham (story), Michael S. Murphey (screenplay)

Stars:

Marc Price, Tony Fields, Lisa Orgolini

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Marc Price	...	Eddie Weinbauer
Tony Fields	...	Sammi Curr
Lisa Orgolini	...	Leslie Graham
Doug Savant	...	Tim Hainey
Elaine Joyce	...	Angie Weinbauer
Glen Morgan	...	Roger Mockus
Gene Simmons	...	Nuke
Ozzy Osbourne	...	Rev. Aaron Gilstrom
Elise Richards	...	Genie Wooster
Richard Pachorek	...	Ron Avery
Clare Torao	...	Maggie Wong-Hernandez (as Clare Nono)
Alice Nunn	...	Mrs. Sylvia Cavell
Larry Sprinkle	...	Marv McCain
Charles Martin Smith	...	Mr. Wimbley
Claudia Templeton	...	Hysterical Survivor

Storyline

Hard rock idol Sammi Curr burns to death in a hotel fire. His biggest fan, Lakeridge High School student and resident metal head Eddie Weinbauer is devastated by the news and turns to local radio DJ "Nuke" for emotional support. After a heated discussion about the deceased rock star, Nuke presents Eddie with a rare demo record, the last ever recorded by Sammi and the only copy in existence. Overwhelmed by Nuke's generosity, Eddie accepts the gift without hesitation, unaware of it's dark role in things to come. After constant humiliation and a near drowning at the hands of school bully Tim Hainy and his sports jock friends, Eddie becomes enraged and vows revenge on all those who have wronged him, much to the dismay of love interest, Leslie and best friend, Roger. Alone in his room with feelings of rage and retribution racing through his mind, Eddie places the new record onto his stereo and is shocked to discover that he can communicate with the deceased rock star when it is rotated ...

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Plot Keywords:

halloween | heavy metal | sound played backwards | bully | trick or treaters | 

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Taglines:

Sammi Curr...he's a Rock and Roll Nightmare

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Genres:

Comedy | Horror | Music

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Certificate:

R

Did You Know?

Trivia

Directorial debut of actor Charles Martin Smith.

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Goofs

When Leslie is outside the radio station, she starts counting, "One Mississippi, two Mississippi," etc. By the time she reaches the teens, she has dropped "Mississippi." The next numbers she recites are in the low 40's. The next time she is shown, she's at 56 and 57, and the last time she's shown counting (before 90) she's back to 26 and 27.

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Quotes

Sammi Curr: [Sammi has just pulled Ms. Cavell through the TV, and turns toward Roger] Roger.
Roger Mockus: I am a big fan of yours. I have all your albums.
Sammi Curr: Shut up! Play my tape for me tonight or die!

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Crazy Credits

A brief clip with Ozzy Osbourne as Rev. Aaron Gilstrom appears after the end credits.

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Connections

Featured in Best of the Worst: Carnosaur 2, the Skateboard Kid 2, and Future Zone (2017)

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Soundtracks

Get Tough
Composed and Performed by Fastway
Produced by Fast Eddie Clarke (as Eddie Clarke) and Will Reid Dick
Courtesy of CBS Records
Published by De Laurentiis Music (ASCAP)

User Reviews

The timing has to be right

I noticed many of the comments on this movie came from people who saw it during the last five years and bought it out of a bargain bin of $5 or $6 DVDs. I saw it when it came out in 1986 and was quite entertained. I learned long ago when it comes to watching horror flicks, you can't take them seriously. In this case, it's simply a sign of the times. During the 1980s when the concern over music's lyrics was at it's peak and Tipper Gore was on her PMRC crusade, this movie fit perfectly.

Please don't judge it in the 21st century. That's why you haven't seen it in a bargain bin until now. It just doesn't fit anymore. I give it a 3.5 out of 5 for its entertainment value.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

24 October 1986 (USA)

Also Known As:

Trick or Treat

Filming Locations:

DEG Film Studios - 1223 North 23rd Street, Wilmington, North Carolina, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$2,912,687, 26 October 1986

Gross USA:

$6,797,218

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$6,797,218

Company Credits

Production Co:

De Laurentiis Entertainment Group (DEG)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

98 min

Sound Mix:

Ultra Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1