When is a sequel not a sequel? How about when a distributor changes the title so they can sell it in foreign territories? Such was the fate for The Horror Show when it became House III: The Horror Show. The movie really had little to do with the first two House movies except it did feature a house in the horror action. The film was produced by Sean S. Cunningham who had struck screaming gold with Friday the 13th. He was out to find a supernatural murder that could top Jason Voorhees. The Horror Show brought out another killer with a blade in “Meat Cleaver Max” Jenke (Blade Runner‘s Brion James).
Detective Lucas McCarthy (Lance Henriksen) is hot on the trail of Max. He sees the carnage including a nasty blue plate special and his buddy getting his arms hacked off. He’s haunted by the night he finally caught Jenke. His dreams are so vivid that they cause him to attack his wife. He feels the only way he can overcome this demon is to be at the prison when Max fries in the electric chair. He has memorable last words before the warden flips the switch. Turns out that there’s something wrong with old sparky as Max doesn’t go down with the first jolt. He gets one last chance to put a curse on Lucas. But is he really dead or just smoldering for a comeback? His demonic spirit rises in the morgue and finds its way into Lucas’ house.
No good can come from a house that’s been haunted by meat cleaver killer. This is worse than termites or aluminum wiring. Lucas is already having nightmarish visions of Max in his house. Now he gets Max’s ghost popping up in odd places. He quickly loses his sanity. There’s a poultry dinner that resembles one from Eraserhead. Max inhabits the TV set so that Lucas has to use the Elvis remote. But that doesn’t get the evil out of the house. It merely gets him in trouble back at the station house. It’s not good to have a cop unloading rounds in their house. Is he cracking up or is Max really there?
Lance once more sells his edge of psychosis look as the troubled detective and family man. His eyes get a good bugged out look as things get more insane for him. Brion James’ performance here is reminiscent in his work in Crimewave. There’s almost too much of a comic edge to his mayhem. He has the same crazy, cackling laugh. This isn’t his Blade Runner demeanor as he terrorizes Lance. The two work well together as tormentor and anguished victim. Whether you consider this film as House III or The Horror Show, it’s strange blend of comedy and horror. The over the top humor with the bloody and jolting effects keeps it entertaining.
The video is 1.78:1 anamorphic. The transfer brings out a bit of the cheesy qualities to the horror. The audio is DTS-HD Master Audio Stereo that brings out that cackle in James’ laugh.
DVD has the movie and all the bonus features. The audio is Dolby Digital Stereo.
Commentary with producer Sean S. Cunningham explains a lot of what went into the film.
Interview with Stunt Coordinator Kane Hodder (11:08) lets him explain the big effects. Hodder is best known for playing Jason Voorhees. He misses Brion James.
Interview with actress Rita Taggart (10:53) explains how she got lured into making a horror movie. She wanted to work with Lance Henriksen. She’s not sure what happened to the original director.
Theatrical Trailer (1:31) investigates how Max Jenke came back from the grave. It’s all the good action moments cut into the film.
THe Horror Show is an over the top tale of something worse than termites infecting a house. Brion James is a bit hilarious as Meat Cleaver Max. Lance Henriksen looks properly freaked out for most of the film. Whether you consider it The Horror Show or House III, the film is a strange shocker.
Scream Factory presents The Horror Show. Directed by: James Isaac. Screenplay by: Alan Smithee & Leslie Bohem. Starring: Lance Henriksen, Brion James. Rita Taggart and Dedee Pfeiffer. Running Time: 94 minutes. Rating: R. Released: November 26, 2013.
