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Editorials

Leprechaun VS Candyman: The Horror Icon Crossover That Almost Happened

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Imagine a world where two iconic horror urban legends crossed paths and possibly fought to the death over… well, I have no clue how that would have worked but hey, IT ALMOST HAPPENED.

Horror crossovers have always been more of a fan service with a guaranteed cash cow for studios for audiences of beloved characters. Sometimes they work, and sometimes they flop harder than Gingerdead Man VS Evil Bong. As ridiculous as the title sounds, its hard to fathom a serious and terrifying entity such as Candyman squaring off against the comical-horror that is the Leprechaun. Both Tony Todd and Warwick Davis are well-known thespian actors that take their roles very seriously and as silly as the premise sounds, I have no doubts they would have given it their all had both been on board with the idea. But, alas Tony Todd just couldn’t do that to the iconic character, and quite honestly- as much as much I wouldn’t mind seeing this, I gotta’ say he made the right decision.

Off the heels from the blockbuster Summer hit in 2003 of Freddy VS Jason, studios were eager to cash in another crossover so they started throwing around ideas. One of which, was this of course and it actually got pretty far along in the process as apparently, a rough-draft of a script was written and presented to Tony Todd himself. Of which he shut down almost immediately according to an interview with Dread Central.

Todd explained the immense respect he has for the character he portrays and that it would be a disservice to possibly tarnish the legacy Candyman has brought forth in the genre. And as much as my curiosity would peak into seeing this showdown, he’s right in the fact that it would very much so diminish the complexity and terror of one of the ONLY POC icons we have in the horror catalog.

The only thing the pair of films really have in common, is the studios both films were made under. Given them the opportunity to crossover without any legal issues. But that is as far as it goes.

I feel like writing this, I’m totally shitting all over the Leprechaun series and really, that couldn’t be further than the truth. Hell, Leprechaun 3 in Vegas (my hometown), is one of my favorite guilty pleasures to watch! I have the utmost respect for Davis and all the joys he has brought all us horror fans with what he did to that character. But in all seriousness, Leprechaun and Candyman just ain’t on that same level. Lep, is a comedy-horror. So of course, a crossover of any kind will work in that aspect. The Sweets of the Sweet, not so much. Guess if we ever want to see that happen, you better get on to downloading the Terrordrome horror fighting style game for PC.

Not much else to say about that, BUT since it’s St. Paddy’s Day here’s one of my favorite clips from the aforementioned Leprechaun 3!

Happy corn beef and cabbage day from yours truly, St. Patti Paultergeist!

I only get to say that once a year so let me have this, hah!

Home Video Releases

Welcome To Prime Time With The VHS Retailer’s Promo For A Nightmare On Elm Street 3: The Dream Warriors

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WELCOME TO PRIME TIME WITH THE VHS RETAILER'S PROMO FOR A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET 3: THE DREAM WARRIORS

In case you’re new here to Nightmare Nostalgia, one of my oddball favorite things in this world is finding old VHS retailer promos. If this is your sort of kink as well, there’s plenty on the site here if you look around! However, one in particular I haven’t been able to track down until very recently. And it is of course A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: The Dream Warriors– my personal favorite of the franchise. So you can bet your sweet dreams I was as giddy as Freddy seems to be promoting the shit out of his new film back in 1987.

If you need a refresher, or are just plain asking what the hell a VHS retailer promo is, it’s basically a special media kit made for VHS stores and chains across the country persuading buyers to get said movie into stores. These days, they are obviously hard to come by unless you had family in the industry that owned one of these Mom and Pop shops. However, thank the glorious VHS gods for Youtube. As we can find some real treasures uploaded on there.

Anyways, as Freddy proclaims in the promo, Dream Warriors “isn’t your average Drive-In movie schlop we got here.” As the film ranked in twenty-five million bones in the first two-week run throughout the theater release. Going on to make over 44 million in theater revenue, making it not only, the most profitable horror sequel to date at the time; but the biggest rake in for an independent film! So why the hell is Freddy hawking the film like a sleazy salesmen you ask?

The answer is WHO CARES. He did the same for Dream Master and Dream Child and it’s easy to see he loved every second of hamming himself up as Freddy. And he can do it forever as far as I’m concerned.

From A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warrior (1987) -Your wish is my command! - #1987 #3 #8… | Dream warriors, A nightmare on elm street, Nightmare on elm street

In the promo, Freddy and the narrator walk us through the accomplishments the Nightmare franchise to date via critic praising, talk show spots, and of course a dash of Dokken to get the beats dropping! Then we get to the bribery part, (honestly do we really need it?) Where if retailers but a set amount of video tapes for the store, you get some cool swag to help promote the movie inside the store as well. I’m still looking for that glorious poster light box if anyone has it collecting dust in that storage unit- just throwing that out there, hah! And the kicker here, a shout-out to the back-in-the-day-all-the-rage “Be In My Nightmare” sweepstakes which you could only enter through your local participating video store via a mail-in or drop-off slip. I still don’t know who won to this day, but I must have entered at least fifteen times. Not even sure if that was against the rules but as a kid, like I cared.

Credit: American History Card, display. ‘Freddy’s Be in My Nightmare Sweepstakes’. 1987.0421.019.

Well anyway, here you are my Nostalgic Nuggets, with special thanks to this upload via YouTuber Beyond Sour Grounds, the long-lost VHS Retailer Promo for A Nightmare On Elm Street 3: The Dream Warriors in its entirety!

A Nightmare on Elm Street 1-7 Blu Ray Series

Home Video Releases

LEAP OF FAITH: WILLIAM FRIEDKIN ON THE EXORCIST To Premiere on Shudder in November

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I think it goes without saying that streaming service for horror fans SHUDDER, is the premiere virtual hot spot for not just October viewing, but year-round long as hey- this is a lifestyle for us am I right?! Beyond national treasures as The Last Drive-In, In Search of Darkness, Scare Me, and the all-new Sam Trick R Treat Holiday Ghoul Log, Shudder extends its exclusive content arm towards an intriguing new documentary involving the movie dubbed, of course, the scariest film of all time- THE EXORCIST premiering next month on the horror streaming service!

Actual footage of me trying to get to the TV before the children. Usually works.

From award-winning documentarian Alexandre O. Philippe, (HITCHCOCK’S SHOWER SCENE (2017), MEMORY: THE ORIGINS OF ALIEN (2019), and DOC OF THE DEAD (2014) LEAP OF FAITH: WILLIAM FRIEDKIN ON THE EXORCIST sets out to explore the uncharted depths of William Friedkin’s mind’s eye, the nuances of his filmmaking process, and the mysteries of faith and fate that have shaped his life and filmography.

Before its premiere to the general public on Shudder, The film, which had its world premiere at the 2019 Venice International Film Festival and was an official selection of the 2020 Sundance Film Festival, will also stream this weekend as part of the Nightstream Film Festival.

Per the Press Release:

“We are absolutely thrilled to be working with the exceptional team at Shudder to bring LEAP OF FAITH to an audience of such savvy, passionate fans of genre cinema. Without a doubt — this is a perfect home and partnership for our film,” said Alexandre O. Philippe.

“LEAP OF FAITH continues our commitment to bringing the best programming about horror, thriller and the supernatural to our members,” said Craig Engler, Shudder General Manager. “Alexander has created an unparalleled look at one of the greatest horror films of all time, giving viewers direct access to William Friedkin in this can’t-miss documentary,”

 LEAP OF FAITH: WILLIAM FRIEDKIN ON THE EXORCIST hits the streaming platform on November 19th, 2020 in the U.S., Canada, the UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand.