Comments on: The Funhouse (1981)

By: theodoor.

theodoor. — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 18:28:52 +0000

I loved this movie. What i liked about it, and Hoopers films in general, is that it spirals out of control. It begins quite normal, but at the end Hoopers films are always grotesque, bizarre and plain fun. It’s the excesses that make them enjoyable, and maybe that’s why i love the creature design.

By: Lou (Ducky) Defino

Lou (Ducky) Defino — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 16:21:49 +0000

I’ve loved THE FUNHOUSE since the first time i saw it.
To start off…i love carnivals and feasts. They remind me of many summers long ago and anytime i hear one is coming to town, I’m there!
The Funhouse is one of those films where the atmosphere is do damn good you feel like you’re there! I love how you venture through the carnival with the teens. You expierence the rides…the attractions….man, i could even smell the food!
Kudos to tobe hooper for giving the movie a realistic ( I could have been there) feel.
Here are some of my favourite moments in the film:

* When buzz picks up amy and she tells him she would rather go to the movies instead and he gives her the forget your old man speech. Her reaction is priceless and her acting believable when she says: how can you say that? You dont even know my father”. Sound cheesy but that scene alone shows this isnt your average slasher film….it has depth.

* The “music” that plays in the background when they first see the mutant baby in the canaster, and when they’re smoking weed outside the tent. It has such a creepy quality that i guess only i get. Love it.

*The scene when joey see’s his sister and her friends go into the funhouse but dont come out. All the rides start to shut down for the night and then you see the back of joey watching the funhouse close down with the camera panning back and up. The music and that scene is stellar. You have no clue how many times I’ve watched that scene over and over. It makes such an impact.

*The axe in the head of richie when he comes around the corner…beautifully shot.

*The scene when amy see’s her parents but they cant hear her screaming due to the large fan in front of her.

So many other great and memorable moments but dont want to take up too much time here. Have it on VHS and DVD. DVD copy is amazing. This film was made to be viewed widescreen. PLEASE dont waste your time with pan and scan.

The funhouse is an excellent 80′s horror fil that should be in the collection of those who love a good story!

By: linusloves80'shorror

linusloves80'shorror — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 09:08:34 +0000

I had this on DVD years before I sat down and actually watched it. It was amazing. What great atmosphere! The story itself wasn’t Oscar-worthy (then again, what slasher’s story is?) but it was believeble, but the setpieces and music made it all the more effective. This one is great and I highly reccomend it.

By: robohooker

robohooker — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 21:08:56 +0000

claustrophobic setting….de-formed killer…..right up my alley!!!

By: Christian Sellers

Christian Sellers — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 14:53:49 +0000

That’s the problem with reading the novel before the film (I know in this case the book was based on the film but Koontz was talented enough to make it his own), an author crams in so much more detail in his novel than a filmmaker can with a 90 minute/two hour movie. Where possible I either read the book or watch the film, but I try to avoid doing both as whichever I experience last usually disappoints. I think it’s just inevitable that you will compare it to the other version (novel or film).

By: Augustburns2

Augustburns2 — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 04:54:05 +0000

I read the Dean Koontz novelization before I saw the film, so I was disappointed when the backstory was missing from the film. The book is so much fun! It’s been years since I read it, but I remember that the novel was very effective.

Though the film is great too. Elizabeth Berridge is good in her role. The only other film I know of hers is Amadeus. What a resume in my book!

Great review as always!

By: Cheeseburger In Hell

Cheeseburger In Hell — Sun, 31 May 2009 04:53:09 +0000

In my opinion, The Funhouse is filled with flashes of brilliance that never quite coalesce into a satisfying whole. The throwaway scene where the little brother is threatened on a rural road by a man with a rifle is a good example of Hooper’s gift for quirky moments, like something out of TCM. But I agree that the monster makeup is a major disappointment and might have been more effective if it was seen in glimpses or shadow. A classic slasher nonetheless.

By: Matt

Matt — Sun, 31 May 2009 04:15:00 +0000

I think he also turned down Piranha and Wolfen prior.

By: Matt

Matt — Sun, 31 May 2009 04:01:17 +0000

Wasn’t there a period of time after the first rough cut that Tobe Hooper was off the film (when he went to do Venom, before he came back from that and rejoined when they were doing the mix)? I think he’s said he worked on the cut for at least three months before leaving. I read it was shut down for going way over budget and released as-is. I have also read the shooting schedule was 30 days but went to 37. He was also briefly involved with Motel Hell before this picture, as well as The Dark.

By: John Klyza

John Klyza — Sun, 31 May 2009 03:04:46 +0000

I’m not a Widescreen Junkie, but THE FUNHOUSE is definitely a film that loses much in its cropping for home video!