Phil's Horror Watch, Day 8: Phil watches HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME (1981)-October 8, 2011

Hello everybody and welcome back to day eight of my horror movie marathon! So I decided that I'd return to the land known as the 1980's and get back to my slasher/horror roots. As a result of this decision, I decided to view HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME. I had forgotten just how great this film was and I after the film was over, I was so damn impressed with it.

Theatrical Movie Poster (1981)

The film's about Virginia "Ginny" Wainwright (Melissa Sue Anderson) and the aftermath of a car accident that she was involved, which also caused her mother's death. Due to the car accident, she had undergone extensive brain surgery, which causes her to suffer from frequent blackouts. Also Ginny isn't very popular and doesn't have any friends. Once at the Crawford Academy, she finally started getting along with the popular kids. But just before Ginny's 18th birthday, one by one all her friends start to be killed off. Who is the killer, and are Ginny's blackouts related to this murders?

 The film was produced by the same people who did MY BLOODY VALENTINE, and was filmed up in Canada. Anderson was mostly recognized for her portrayal of Mary Ingalls on on the television show LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE. Anderson wanted to find a role that was against type, and she sure pulled it off in the film. The film was directed by J. Lee Thompson, who made such legendary films like THE GUNS OF NAVARONE, CAPE FEAR, and KINGS OF THE SUN. Columbia Pictures released the film to theaters on May 15, 1981.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME is such a great little slasher film and it contains a sharp, clever script, top notch acting, great directing, and some awesome gore and killings! One of my favorite slasher films of all time! Definitely worth checking out, especially during this festive holiday season!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME is currently available on DVD and can be purchased at local retailers or at Amazon. Visit their website at www.amazon.com

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!