Clownhouse (1989)

Just before Halloween, three young brothers alone in a big house are menaced by three escaped mental patients who have murdered some traveling circus clowns and taken their identities.

Director:

Victor Salva

Writer:

Victor Salva

Stars:

Nathan Forrest Winters, Brian McHugh, Sam Rockwell

2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Nathan Forrest Winters	...	Casey
Brian McHugh	...	Geoffrey
Sam Rockwell	...	Randy
Michael Jerome West	...	Lunatic Cheezo (as Tree)
Byron Weible	...	Lunatic Bippo
David C. Reinecker	...	Lunatic Dippo
Timothy Enos	...	Real Cheezo
Frank Diamanti	...	Real Bippo
Karl-Heinz Teuber	...	Real Dippo (as Karl Heinz Teuber)
Viletta Skillman	...	Mother
Gloria Belsky	...	Fortune Teller
Tom Mottram	...	Ringmaster
Erika Young	...	Storekeeper
Jasper Watts	...	Storekeeper's Assistant (as Russell Jasper Watts)
Bobby Salem	...	Booth Barker

Storyline

Just before Halloween, three kid brothers who are alone in a big house are menaced by three escaped mental patients who have murdered some traveling circus clowns and taken their identities.

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Plot Keywords:

halloween | escaped mental patient | clown | circus | brother brother relationship | 

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Taglines:

...A circus of the mind.

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Genres:

Horror

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Certificate:

R

Did You Know?

Trivia

At the time director Victor Salva was arrested, everything but the re-looping for this movie had already been completed. Re-dubbing took place during post-production due to the loud noises the cameras made during filming. According to Nathan Forrest Winters, he had to attend to Coppola's house to take part in the re-dubbing for a month, a time in which he was black balled by pretty much everyone and was told by Coppola himself he would never work in the industry again.

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Goofs

(at around 17 mins) While at the Clown Show, the spotlight shines just on Casey's face even before they shine it on him.

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Quotes

Fortune Teller: Beware, beware, in the darkest of dark. Though the mind is young, and the hearts are strong, precious life, cannot be long, when darkest death, has left its mark...

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Crazy Credits

Before the credits role: No man can hide from his fears; as they are a part of him, they will always know where he is hiding.

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Connections

Referenced in Rewind This! (2013)

User Reviews

Very Very Creepy Indeed

Clownhouse was a film that gave me the creeps. I was in my mid-20's when I watched it and it spooked me.

Clowns are horrible things when you think about it. I could never trust a clown so when you consider it, this film had a good premise and despite the lack of blood and gore, it is a very good film relying more on chills and thrills rather than blood and gore.

Some lunatics escape from an asylum and dress up as clowns. One night, three lads are in the house on their own...and you can guess the rest.

I won't spoil any bits but there are some truly creepy scenes. I'd love to tell you them but it would spoil it.

All in all, Clownhouse is a very effective chiller. And I don't believe it is an exaggeration to call it a chiller.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 July 1990 (USA)

Also Known As:

Clownhouse

Filming Locations:

3033 Bonifacio Street, Concord, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$200,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Commercial Pictures (I), Zoetrope Studios

Technical Specs

Runtime:

81 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1