The Horror Show (1989)

Detective McCarthy finally catches "Meat Cleaver Max", a serial killer, who promises revenge during his execution. Nonetheless, a parapsychologist tells the detective that the only hope of stopping Max for good is to destroy his spirit.

Directors:

James Isaac, David Blyth (uncredited)

Writers:

Allyn Warner (as Alan Smithee), Leslie Bohem

Stars:

Lance Henriksen, Brion James, Rita Taggart

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Lance Henriksen	...	Detective Lucas McCarthy
Brion James	...	Max Jenke
Rita Taggart	...	Donna McCarthy
Dedee Pfeiffer	...	Bonnie McCarthy
Aron Eisenberg	...	Scott McCarthy
Thom Bray	...	Peter Campbell
Matt Clark	...	Dr. Tower
David Oliver	...	Vinnie
Lewis Arquette	...	Lt. Miller
Terry Alexander	...	Casey
Armand Asselin	...	Escort guard
Robert V. Barron	...	Death-a-Thon announcer
Bobby Collins	...	TV comedian
Meshell Dillon	...	Little Girl
Greg Finley	...	Tom Ippolito

Storyline

Detective Lucas McCarthy finally apprehends "Meat Cleaver Max" and watches the electric chair execution from the audience. But killing Max Jenke only elevated him to another level of reality. Now Lucas' family is under attack, his sanity in question, and his house haunted. Aided by a disreputable college professor, can Lucas reclaim his mind, house, and family? Features Lance Henriksen as Lucas McCarthy and Brion James as Max Jenke. One of the few movies featuring these actors as main characters, if not the only one.

---

Plot Keywords:

bare breasts | female nudity | supernatural horror | electric chair | meat cleaver | 

---

Taglines:

In your home, Behind the door, Beneath the steps ... Max is waiting.

---

Genres:

Horror

---

Certificate:

R

Did You Know?

Trivia

Dave Oliver, who played Bonnie's randy boyfriend Vinnie, died of AIDS three years later at the age of 30.

---

Goofs

Steadicam reflected in the mirror when Lucas is searching his house in opening sequence.

---

Quotes

[last lines]
Max Jenke: BACK THE FUCK OFF, BITCH!

---

Alternate Versions

The U.S print was cut to receive an R-rating with edits to shots of severed legs in a meat grinder, Max's electrocution scene, the staircase fight and some bloody shootings. The UK Anchor Bay DVD (in the "House Collection" box set) featured the cut print though earlier UK video releases plus the Hollywood DVD budget release all feature the full unrated print.

---

Connections

Referenced in The Cinema Snob: Tango & Cash (2019)

---

Soundtracks

The Things I Have Done To Our Love
Written by Leslie Bohem (as Les Bohem) and David Kendrick
Performed by Gleaming Spires

User Reviews

Not the best, but not the worst

I waited a long time to see a third House movie, and once I heard it was called The Horror Show, I had to rent it. The Horror Show is a pretty cool film.True it has no relation to House, but neither did the second, or fourth ones, and they were still good. Brian James makes a great bad guy.Good story, and o.k. acting.*** out of *****.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

28 April 1989 (USA)

Also Known As:

House III

Filming Locations:

San Pedro, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$3,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$773,348, 30 April 1989

Gross USA:

$1,738,897

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$1,738,897

Company Credits

Production Co:

Sean S. Cunningham Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1