Candyman (1992)

The Candyman, a murderous soul with a hook for a hand, is accidentally summoned to reality by a skeptic grad student researching the monster's myth.

Director:

Bernard Rose

Writers:

Clive Barker (based on "The Forbidden" by), Bernard Rose

Stars:

Virginia Madsen, Xander Berkeley, Tony Todd

5 wins & 7 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Virginia Madsen	...	Helen Lyle
Tony Todd	...	The Candyman / Daniel Robitaille
Xander Berkeley	...	Trevor Lyle
Kasi Lemmons	...	Bernadette 'Bernie' Walsh
Vanessa Williams	...	Anne-Marie McCoy
DeJuan Guy	...	Jake
Marianna Elliott	...	Clara (as Marianna Eliott)
Ted Raimi	...	Billy
Ria Pavia	...	Monica
Mark Daniels	...	Student
Lisa Ann Poggi	...	Diane
Adam Philipson	...	Danny
Eric Edwards	...	Harold
Carolyn Lowery	...	Stacey
Barbara Alston	...	Henrietta Mosely

Storyline

Helen Lyle is a student who decides to write a thesis about local legends and myths. She visits a part of the town, where she learns about the legend of the Candyman, a one-armed man who appears when you say his name five times, in front of a mirror. Of course, Helen doesn't believe all this stuff, but the people of the area are really afraid. When she ignores their warnings and begins her investigation in the places that he is rumored to appear, a series of horrible murders begins. Could the legend be true?

---

Plot Keywords:

legend | mirror | artist | hook for a hand | hook | 

---

Taglines:

Candyman, Candyman, Candyman, Candyman... Don't Say Again!

---

Genres:

Horror | Thriller

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violence and gore

Details

Country:

USA UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

16 October 1992 (USA)

Also Known As:

Clive Barker's Candyman

Filming Locations:

4222 Agnes Avenue, Studio City, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$6,000,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$25,792,310

Company Credits

Production Co:

Candyman Films, PolyGram Filmed Entertainment, Propaganda Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

99 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

There was in fact, a Candyman killer in real life who is different to the fictional Candyman. Dean Corill was a serial killer in the Houston, Texas area, who raped and murdered numerous boys from 1970 to 1973. He would lure children into his home using candy from his family's factory. So the media dubbed him the "Candyman". Dean Corll had two teenage accomplices who actually helped lure the young boys, but when Dean plotted to rape and kill one of them, they shot and killed him.

---

Goofs

When Stacey cuts her finger preparing dinner, we hear her "Ow" before her lips move.

---

Quotes

[first lines]
Candyman: [Candyman narrating over the swarm of bees] They will say that I have shed innocent blood. What's blood for if not for shedding? With my hook for a hand, I'll split you from your groin to your gullet. I came for you.

---

Connections

Featured in The 100 Greatest Scary Moments (2003)

---

Soundtracks

STATE OF INDEPENDENCE
(uncredited)
Written by Vangelis and Jon Anderson
Performed by Moodswings
Featuring the voice of Chrissie Hynde
Courtesy of Arista Records Inc. / BMG Eurodisc Ltd

User Reviews

* * * out of 4.

College student (Virginia Madsen) decides to write a paper on a slave (Tony Todd) who was killed for simply being in love with a white woman. Legend has it if you call out his name several times, he will appear and kill you to avenge his death. Naturally Madsen is disbelieving of this, but Todd starts butchering off all of her friends and framing her in order to make her believe.

This film is so intense and frightening, that when I first saw this on home video with all of the lights on, I actually had to call my mother and get her to come over and comfort me, because this film scared me to death. Tony Todd is perfect in a menacing performance as the villain and Virginia Madsen makes the perfect victim capturing the right balance between terror and disbelief. The myths and legends behind the film are so complex and so fascinating that this film could have gone on for at least another hour and not be one bit overlong. There is plenty of characterization and atmosphere and the settings for the film are very well chosen. However, working somewhat against the film are some of the supporting actors, poor special effects, and an ultra gimmickey ending that feels as though it belongs in another film given the tone and subject matter of this film.

Rated R; Graphic Violence, Profanity, and Brief Nudity.