Released just prior to Thanksgiving 1981, Butcher, Baker, Nightmare Maker came and went with little fanfare, despite having a paperback tie-in novel on the stands several months before it appeared in theaters. It was quickly repackaged on VHS by HBO with a new title, Night Warning where it gained a following and began to appear on lists of underrated horror films.
While its initial appeal for me in the eighties was the inclusion of teen heartthrob Jimmy McNichol, the real appeal of Butcher, Baker, Nightmare Maker lies in the go all out performance of Susan Tyrrell, who had received a Best Supporting Actress Oscar nomination in 1972 for her performance in John Huston’s Fat City. Here, Tyrrell is the homicidal Aunt Cheryl, who has an unnaturally close relationship with her nephew, Billy (McNichol) after his parents are killed in an automobile accident. Billy is beginning to show an interest in girls, specifically Julia (a pre-Newhart Julia Duffy), the school paper photographer.
Unable to face the prospect of losing her baby boy, Billy comes home to find Cheryl covered in blood and a television repairman dead on the floor. While Cheryl claims she was defending herself from a rape, the investigating officer Joe Carson (Bo Svenson) discovers the repairman was gay. Therefore, the whole thing must be part of a weird love triangle. In truth, Cheryl is nutty as a fruitcake and adept at wielding a butcher knife.
While Butcher, Baker, Nightmare Maker has some characteristics of the Grand Guiginol pictures that gained popularity in the 1960’s, its also one of the first horror films to portray a male homosexual as positive figure. Billy’s openly gay basketball coach (Steve Eastin) not only doesn’t die but is a regular guy and positive influence. On the other end of the spectrum, Bo Svenson’s Joe Carson is one of the most repulsive villains of the era, a intolerant beast who makes Susan Tyrrell’s murderess far more sympathetic than she should be. Largely known for his work on various television shows and most of the AIP beach movies, director William Asher keeps things uncomplicated and fun. While not an obvious choice to helm a horror film, Asher makes it all come together.
While Susan Tyrrell is the standout, the rest of the cast does a good job. Jimmy McNichol is likable as the male lead. He has nice enough chemistry with Julia Duffy, who is likable too. A young Bill Paxton plays an effective school bully and Tom Landers makes for a sympathetic gay character.
– is due out May 28. The exclusive slipcover edition for the 4K is only available on Severin’s website here: https://severinfilms.com/collections/uhd/products/butcher-baker-nightmare-maker-2-disc-4k-uhd-w-exclusive-slipcover
Presented in the original 1.85:1 aspect ratio, Severin’s 4K transfer is solid across the board. The image is bright and clean. Depth is strong, particularly during the outdoor scenes. Colors are well reproduced, and blacks are inky, Grain is well maintained throughout. The use of HDR10 elevates the image throughout.
The DTS-HD Master 2.0 track has a few aggressive moments—screams, gunfire, fighting—that come through with nice depth. The score by Bruce Langhorne creates an effectively spooky feel. Dialogue is clear, clean and concise.
English SDH subtitles are included.
The following extras are available:
4K UHD Disc:
- Audio Commentary with Star Jimmy McNichol
- Audio Commentary with Co-Writer/Producer Steve Breimer and Co-Writer Alan Jay Glueckman, Moderated by Mondo Digital’s Nathaniel Thompson
- Audio Commentary with Co-Producer and Unit Production Manager Eugene Mazzola
- Trailer
Blu-ray Disc:
- Audio Commentary with Star Jimmy McNichol
- Audio Commentary with Co-Writer/Producer Steve Breimer And Co-Writer Alan Jay Glueckman, Moderated by Mondo Digital’s Nathaniel Thompson
- Audio Commentary with Co-Producer and Unit Production Manager Eugene Mazzola
- Extreme Prejudice – Interview with Actor Bo Svenson
- Point and Shoot – Interview with Director Of Photography Robbie Greenberg
- Family Dynamics – Interview with Editor Ted Nicolaou
- Cast And Crew Interviews With Actors Jimmy McNichol, Susan Tyrrell And Steve Eastin, Make-Up Artist Allan A. Apone and Producer Steve Breimer
- Trailer
- TV Spot
