Phil's Horror Watch, Day 4: Phil watches CHEERLEADER CAMP (1988)-October 4, 2011

Welcome back to day four of my horror movie marathon! Tonight's film was originally released at the end of the slasher craze, which began in 1980 with FRIDAY THE 13TH. Originally titled BLOODY POM POMS, the film has been largely overlooked, but now CHEERLEADER CAMP has gained a cult following for its cast of stars and horror.

Theatrical Movie Poster (1988)

 Allison (Betsy Russell), her boyfriend Brent (Leif Garrett), and their friends head off to a remote cheerleader training camp with other limber and nubile cheerleaders. But as soon as they arrive, Allison begins to have nightmares of her friends being killed. Unfortunately her nightmares begin to turn into reality, and Allison begins to think that she may have a split-personality and therefore, she believes she's the killer. That is until the real killer comes after poor Allison.

This film contains what I love about 80s horror films: cheesy dialogue, buckets of blood, creepy caretakers, snobby cheerleaders, and gratuitous nudity and sex; all captured on 35mm film stock! Some highlights for me are Garrett's performance as Brent, who plays the jerk boyfriend role perfectly, the sexy Terri Weigel as bitch cheerleader, boyfriend stealing Pamela (Weigel was Playboy's Playmate of the Month for April 1986, and then in 1991 became a pornstar), Travis McKenna's Timmy is the lovable, overweight lover who likes to videotape half naked sunbathing cheerleaders. Also appearing in the film is Lucinda Dickey who plays Corey the mascot. Dickey is famous for playing Kelly in the films BREAKIN' and BREAKIN' 2: ELECTRIC BOOGALOO. And let's not forget Betsy Russell, who gives it her all in the film, and does a great job of portraying the mentally disturbed Allison as she fights for her life as well as her sanity.

This was the directorial film debut from John Quinn, who would later direct other B-movies such as TOTAL EXPOSURE, FALLEN ANGEL as well as television shows like PASSION COVE and SIN CITY DIARIES. Russell appeared in other B-movies and horror flicks like PRIVATE SCHOOL, AVENGING ANGEL, TOMBOY, but is now more well known for portraying Jigsaw's ex-wife Jill Tuck in the SAW series. The film itself was released to theaters in 1988, and again on VHS in 1990.

CHEERLEADER CAMP is great B-movie fun for the whole family! On cold, rainy nights like tonight, it's the perfect film to gather your friends, order a pizza, and relive those great 80s horror moments! So go out and check this film out, and let the horror fun begin!

CHEERLEADER CAMP is available on DVD and can be purchased at http://www.amazon.com

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!