Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988)

Ten years after his original massacre, the invalid Michael Myers awakens on Halloween Eve and returns to Haddonfield to kill his seven-year-old niece. Can Dr. Loomis stop him?

Director:

Dwight H. Little

Writers:

Dhani Lipsius (story), Larry Rattner (story)

Stars:

Donald Pleasence, Ellie Cornell, Danielle Harris

1 win & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Donald Pleasence	...	Dr. Sam Loomis
Ellie Cornell	...	Rachel Carruthers
Danielle Harris	...	Jamie Lloyd
George P. Wilbur	...	Michael Myers
Michael Pataki	...	Dr. Hoffman
Beau Starr	...	Sheriff Ben Meeker
Kathleen Kinmont	...	Kelly Meeker
Sasha Jenson	...	Brady
Gene Ross	...	Earl
Carmen Filpi	...	Rev. Jackson P. Sayer
Raymond O'Connor	...	Security Guard
Jeff Olson	...	Richard Carruthers
Karen Alston	...	Darlene Carruthers
Nancy Borgenicht	...	Woman Attendant
David Jensen	...	Man Attendant

Storyline

It's October 30, 1988 and Michael Myers has been in a coma since his pursuit of Laurie Strode, 10 years ago, was finally stopped (events of H1 and H2). However when he is transfered from Richmond Mental Institute to Smith's Grove he awakes when he hears that he has a niece in Haddonfield and after killing the transfer crew he escapes. In Haddonfield, the niece, Jamie, has been adopted by the Carruthers family but keeps having nightmares about Michael (but she doesn't know who he is). On Halloween night, Jamie goes out trick and treating, little knowing that her murdering Uncle is following her and her step-sister Rachel. Rushing to her aid is Dr. Loomis and with the help of Sheriff Meeker starts to search the town for Michael and to find Jamie to protect her. But can anything stop Michael this time?

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Plot Keywords:

teenager | fourth part | gore | slasher | sequel | 

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Taglines:

It's gonna be one hell of a family reunion!

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Genres:

Horror | Thriller

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Certificate:

R

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Trancas International Films

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 October 1988 (USA)

Also Known As:

Halloween 4

Filming Locations:

Utah, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$5,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$6,831,250, 23 October 1988, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$17,768,757

Company Credits

Production Co:

Trancas International Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

88 min

Sound Mix:

Ultra Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Originally, when Jamie and Loomis were trapped in the school, Jamie hid in a classroom under a desk. Michael entered searching for her, throwing the desks over. Although due to time constraints this sequence was not shot for this film, it was remembered by producer Moustapha Akkad and later re-used in Halloween H20: 20 Years Later (1998).

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Goofs

(at around 49 mins) Deputy Logan, who was left at the Carruthers' house to wait for the family to get back home, runs out of the house to his patrol car. He gets on the CB and tries to get in touch with the sheriff on the radio. After getting a response, he says he "just heard about the station", at which point, the sheriff tells him to head over to his place. This was after Michael threw "Bucky", the electrical worker, into the electrical wires and put the whole town in the dark. Logan couldn't have heard about what happened from inside the house, as he had to run to the car to get to his radio.

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Quotes

Security Guard: All metal objects into the tray. Purpose of visit?
Man Attendant: A patient pickup and transfer to Smith's Grove.
Security Guard: You're late.
Man Attendant: Yeah. Should be on the road.
Security Guard: Yeah. Hell of a night, eh?
Man Attendant: Real charmer.
Security Guard: Yeah. I'll take you down there.
Man Attendant: Alright.
Security Guard: Be right back.
2nd Security Officer: Okay.
[...]

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Alternate Versions

The German version of this not-so violent film was cut during the gore scenes to get a 16 rating.

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Connections

Referenced in House of the Dead (2003)

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Soundtracks

Drinkin' Life All Wrong
(Uncredited)
Written by Danny Kirsic
Performed by Danny Kirsic

User Reviews

Finally, the shape IS back!!!

The fourth movie of the Halloween series sees the return of Michael Myers and Dr. Loomis. Surprisingly, considering what happened to both of the them at the end of Halloween 2. But, it seems that they brought back Michael Myers for three reasons. First, it is 1980's and it's all about the horror sequels baby!!! Just like Friday the 13th, Amityville, Psycho, Howling, and Nightmare, Halloween couldn't resist the fun. Second, it was the 10 year anniversary of Halloween, so they had to honor Myers by bringing him back again, just like the 20th anniversary for H20. I guess will also see the 25th and 30th anniversary of Halloween with Myers escaping the nursing home on Halloween for these sequels. Finally, they brought him back because of the utter disappointment of Halloween 3, which shouldn't have ever been made. But after these reasons, it isn't that bad a sequel. Good for a late 80's horror movie. ** out of ****