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Fade to Black

  • 1980
  • R
  • 1h 42m
IMDb RATING
6.1/10
5.5K
YOUR RATING
Dennis Christopher in Fade to Black (1980)
Watch Trailer
Play trailer2:50
1 Video
87 Photos
Slasher HorrorComedyCrimeHorrorThriller

A shy, lonely film buff embarks on a killing spree against those who browbeat and betray him, all the while stalking his idol, a Marilyn Monroe lookalike.A shy, lonely film buff embarks on a killing spree against those who browbeat and betray him, all the while stalking his idol, a Marilyn Monroe lookalike.A shy, lonely film buff embarks on a killing spree against those who browbeat and betray him, all the while stalking his idol, a Marilyn Monroe lookalike.

  • Director
    • Vernon Zimmerman
  • Writer
    • Vernon Zimmerman
  • Stars
    • Dennis Christopher
    • Tim Thomerson
    • Gwynne Gilford
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.1/10
    5.5K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Vernon Zimmerman
    • Writer
      • Vernon Zimmerman
    • Stars
      • Dennis Christopher
      • Tim Thomerson
      • Gwynne Gilford
    • 67User reviews
    • 49Critic reviews
    • 54Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 wins & 8 nominations total

    Videos1

    Trailer
    Trailer 2:50
    Trailer

    Photos87

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    Top cast36

    Edit
    Dennis Christopher
    Dennis Christopher
    • Eric Binford
    Tim Thomerson
    Tim Thomerson
    • Dr. Jerry Moriarty
    Gwynne Gilford
    Gwynne Gilford
    • Officer Anne Oshenbull
    Norman Burton
    Norman Burton
    • Marty Berger
    • (as Normann Burton)
    Linda Kerridge
    Linda Kerridge
    • Marilyn O'Connor
    Morgan Paull
    Morgan Paull
    • Gary Bially
    James Luisi
    James Luisi
    • Captain M.L. Gallagher
    Eve Brent
    Eve Brent
    • Aunt Stella Binford
    • (as Eve Brent Ashe)
    John Steadman
    John Steadman
    • Sam
    Marcie Barkin
    Marcie Barkin
    • Stacy
    Mickey Rourke
    Mickey Rourke
    • Richie
    Peter Horton
    Peter Horton
    • Joey
    Hennen Chambers
    Hennen Chambers
    • Bart
    Melinda O. Fee
    Melinda O. Fee
    • Talk Show Hostess
    • (as Melinda Fee)
    Anita Converse
    • Dee Dee
    Bob Drew
    • Reverend Shick
    Teddi Siddall
    • Jill
    Sharon Sharth
    Sharon Sharth
    • Mail Girl
    • (as Sharon Schlaerth)
    • Director
      • Vernon Zimmerman
    • Writer
      • Vernon Zimmerman
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Gwynne Gilford was pregnant during filming and the production team had to hide her stomach in most of the shots. That baby is now actor Chris Pine.
    • Goofs
      As Moriarty and Officer Oshenbull are racing to stop Eric near the film's ending, their police car changes briefly from a 1975-78 Plymouth Fury to a 71-76 Chevrolet Impala, only to change back once they arrive to the scene.
    • Quotes

      [first lines]

      Aunt Stella Binford: [cynical tone] Eric! Get up! Well, lookie here. Mister Smart Mouth fell asleep with his nose buried in the screen again! Your one-eyed monster is gonna soften your eyes, much less rot your brain! You spend all your time daydreaming and watching those silly movies on the TV and on your projector.

    • Alternate versions
      Vernon Zimmerman's original cut of this film was much closer to a two hour running time. Word came down from the offices of American Cinema Releasing that he was to shorten the running time of the film to about 90 minutes in order to save on lab, printing, and shipping costs for the physical release prints. He and ACR compromised and met in the middle, with a final running time of around 1hour and 42minutes for the release prints. This means that approximately 20 minutes of the film was cut out, making for a couple choppy transitions. - A scene in which more of the character "Marilyn O'Connor" (Linda Kerridge) has her backstory explained.
      • A scene in which "Marilyn O'Connor" (Linda Kerridge) and "Joey" (a sleazy photographer played by Peter Horton) go on a very awkward date that does not end well.
      • A scene in which Eric Binford (Dennis Christopher) dressed as Count Dracula enters and lurks around in a Punk music club as the band SID TERROR'S UNDEAD performs the song "I Was A Teenage Vampire" on stage.
      • A scene after (SPOILER AHEAD) Eric Binford (Dennis Christopher) is shot on the roof of the famous Graumann's Chinese Theater on Hollywood Blvd. and falls to the ground, landing on the hand-prints of Marilyn Monroe in the cement of the Chinese Theater forecourt. Marilyn O'Connor (Linda Kerridge) rushes down from the roof and Eric's final image of her is as Marilyn Monroe in Angel form, taking him to Heaven. He dies in her arms. FADE TO BLACK. Cut to: Early the next morning, workers have a high pressure hose aimed at the ground, spraying water to wash away Eric's blood and chalk crime scene body outline. One worker complains about the mess not washing away, the other answers "Turn up the pressure on the hose, the blood will wash away, it always does", hinting that this has happened many times before.
      Other short scenes are also removed, but these are most of the main ones.
    • Connections
      Featured in Sneak Previews: The Idolmaker, The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith, Every Man for Himself, Fade to Black (1980)
    • Soundtracks
      Heroes
      Lyrics by Carol Connors

      Music by Craig Safan

      Performed by Marsha Hunt

    User reviews67

    Featured review
    6/10

    just lovely!

    If you like the classics, bogart,monroe, brandon etc and also appreciate obscure horror like fulci, damato, ndeodato, chances are that you will fin this movie ubercool! i certainly did.
    • methmaga
    • Jan 20, 2018
    • Permalink

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    FAQ18

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 14, 1980 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Fundido a negro
    • Filming locations
      • 302 Market Street, Venice, California, USA(Interiors and exteriors. As Eric and Stella Binford's house. Home is still intact as of 2023.)
    • Production companies
      • Leisure Investment Company
      • Movie Ventures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $2,300,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 42 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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