When a fictional body that started as a side character in a novel becomes a full-blown horror icon known throughout the world and prompts its own autobiography to be written, you know we’ve got something special here. And so it is with the good doctor that author Brian Rafterty has gone to great lengths and leaving no “quid pro quos” on the process of how famed author Thomas Harris brought Hannibal Lecter to life and all the juicy details that lie in between, taking him from the book to the big screen, spilling the delightful tea along the way in “HANNIBAL LECTER: A LIFE”.
So let’s flip through this book a bit:
We begin with the true birth of a monster, dating back to 1935 with real-life killings and interviews with murderers that later inspired Thomas Harris’ idea for a cannibalistic character—something completely opposite of his “shy demeanor” and a relative noting, “the most non-violent person he’d ever known.” and the book that started it all with “RED DRAGON” and Harris’ painstaking effort into writing this character that the author notes, “wore him out”.
The book became an instant hit, and “RED DRAGON’ hit Hollywood in the form of MANHUNTER, where the world got to see Lecter for the first time in the flesh, played by Brian Cox. While the studios were basically breaking down the door for the rights, the journey wasn’t anything but easy…
Of course, it was 1991’s THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS and Anthony Hopkins’ portrayal of the maniac psychiatrist that really solidified Lecter’s name in the stars of pop culture icons, bringing down a hammer (in the most polite way possible) of psychological fear into movie goers. Raftery really goes the distance, taking us through each film’s journey and providing everything you could possibly want to know about LAMBS, including never-before-seen correspondence between Thomas Harris and director Jonathan Demme. As well as every film thereafter, including the severely underrated HANNIBAL series, which was pulled off the air way too soon, in my humble opinion.
“HANNIBAL LECTER: A LIFE” also includes the true-life inspirations for Clarice Starling and discussions with former FBI profiler John Douglas; entries of which are both incredibly fascinating and informative, pulling in the true-crime enthusiast that resides in so many of us. Speaking of which, alongside the jeopardy knowledge of history that is soaked into these pages, the book builds an argument that credits Thomas Harris and his iconic creation of Hannibal Lecter with modern society’s fascination with serial killers.
The book has a little something for everyone: horror fans, true crime aficionados, cinephiles, and aspiring authors. However, if you’re not a fan of modern climate political deep dives, which is something I think a lot of us are trying to escape from, skip the prologue entirely and just dive into the rest. Other than that, it’s a must-read for all the aforementioned and learn a few things about this legendary character that I never thought about, or believed I needed to know- but pass me a glass of Chianti because I’m sure happy I do now.
There’s just something exceptionally satisfying about bedazzling the most “joyful” holiday of the year into a ho-ho-horror spectacle that gives me all the damn fuzzies. Christmas Horror, as we all know is entirely a subgenre on its own, churning out various titles throughout the years to keep our holidays grim and dark. From holiday horror treasures such as Black Christmasand Silent Night, Deadly Night, to more modern instant classics likeRare Exportsand most recently Violent Night, have become seasonal band-aids for genre fans to get even the scroogiest of Scrooges into the Xmas spirit.
Seriously, dive into some boozy eggnog and get cheery. You don’t want to be caught on the naughty list.
The Christmas Horror movie list is ever-growing in its own glorious classification of horror, but how about some of those holiday-themed episodes from some of our favorite television shows that fit into the horror category? Much like the beloved Halloween specials we receive on occasion from all the various genres of sitcoms, (Roseanne did it best, fight me) horror-infused primetime has a good chunk of dark yuletide ammo to mix things up in between those holiday-horror feature films that are generally free to watch with certain streaming subscriptions, or hell sometimes YouTube will give it to for free!
So grab your Finger Figgy Pudding, a shot of DeadNog, and let me advise you, viewers, on some binge-worthy essential Holiday Horror TV.
“The Munsters Scary Little Christmas Special”
The 90-minute special that aired on CBS back on December 17, 1996, introduces an all-new cast inhabiting the mansion on Mockingbird Lane; and it’s really not as bad as one would think. Just watch Rob Zombie’s crap version of 2022 and then get back to me on this.
The basic main plot centers around little Eddie and his melancholy holiday spirit that of course, only Santa Claus can resurrect- typical Christmas story plot. However, and again, this is the Munsters, so all sorts of silly shenanigans are afoot along the way. Certainly, the coolest part is the monster party Lily throws to cheer up Eddie and his longing for his Transylvanian home. Various branches of the extended Munster family make an appearance at the holiday shindig, all of which are depicted by famous movie monsters. Oh yes, there’s a Creature from the Black Lagoon in there and it’s fan-friggin-tastic.
In the very few times The Munsters have been rebooted and recast, this little holiday special seems most true to the feel of the original ‘60s series. The makeup and Munster Mansion could look better, but those are just nitpicking details that shouldn’t sway anyone from checking this one out at least once. It’s one of my eight-year-olds and my father’s favorites, who is a die-hard, no-bologna Munster fan. So if you love the silliness from the old show, chances are you’ll get a kick out of this as well. You can rent it here on Amazon for $1.54!
“Unholy Night”– “American Horror Story: Asylum”
Move over Bloody Face and make room for Santa Emerson.
In season two, episode eight of Asylum, we’re introduced to a seriously disturbed, homicidal Santa with one hell of a twisted sense of humor- Leigh Emerson (Ian McShane). Emerson kills a bell-ringing Santa and unleashes a reign of terror on a preselected family. Which ultimately lands him at the infamous Briarcliff and under Sister Jude’s abusive control. Until the tables turn on her anyway.
Of all the psycho Santas in the genre, McShane’s portrayal of this Yuletide maniac is by far the most seriously underrated. This character needs his own full-length Christmas horror feature for sure. “The only difference between me and the real Santa is that he only comes once a year!”
It gets me every time.
Personally speaking, I’m not a huge fan of AHS’s second season, but “Unholy Night” certainly hits a major high note for this chapter in Murphy’s spiritually connected saga. Bonus points, this episode is written by James Wong (Final Destination) and directed by Michael Lehmann (Heathers). You can stream this one here over on Hulu.
“How the Ghosts Stole Christmas”“The X-Files”
Originally airing on December 13, 1998, The X-Filessixth season brought forth a nice little Christmas episode wrapped in paranormal packaging. “How the Ghosts Stole Christmas” is one of those stand-alone monster episodes in the series that strays away from the storyline, but is welcomed nonetheless. Some of the best episodes in the series have been these types of episodes, and this one, in particular, is way up on that list folks.
The episode co-stars Ed Asner and Lily Tomlin as a pair of trickery star-crossed deceased lovers, who performed a murder/suicide pact in their home. Folklore has it that any couple who enters their abandoned house will become trapped and forced into the same fate. That sounds like a case for Mulder and Scully! What better way to spend Christmas than ghostbusting, eh?
With a fantastically dark haunted house set up on the heels of the Noel holiday, this Christmas edition of X-Files has plenty of good scares and some personal time with Mulder and Scully. Among all the paranormal illusions and corpses under the floorboard, there’s a really touching Christmas moment between the pair at the end of the episode. Ending it on a heartfelt high note. Because that’s what Christmas is all about, right? Grab your significant other and catch this one on Hulu here.
“Night of the Meek”–“The Twilight Zone”
First airing on December, 23rd 1960 on the CBS primetime lineup, Twilight Zone’s “Night of the Meek” has become an annual tradition in our house of horrors. There isn’t any blood, gore, or psycho Santas swinging axes, but there’s a lot of heart and mystery here. That goes a long way.
Most episodes from The Twilight Zone offer some sort of mind-fucking twist to get you rattled a tad. However, “Night of the Meek” is one of those rare exceptions that just leaves you all fuzzy on the inside. Rod Serling takes us on a Christmas Eve journey into The Twilight Zone with a down-and-out Mall Santa, Henry Corwin. Visibly drunk and a bit disoriented, Corwin is fired from his jolly job and then goes into a pretty powerful monologue explaining why he is boozing it up for the holidays. Unable to truly bring happiness and full bellies of hungry kids as Santa, Corwin’s only Christmas wish is for the “meek to inherit the Earth.”
Well, this is The Twilight Zone. Corwin is about to get his selfless wish granted.
Nearly 60 years after its premiere, “Night of the Meek” is a true classic not just from the series as a whole, but in pop culture altogether. For a simple 30-minute TV episode to stand the test of time and manage to give you all the damn feels, is something not to be ignored in the slightest. Forget waiting for that New Year’s marathon. Watch the episode here on Paramount Plus!
“And All Through the House”– “Tales From the Crypt”
To this day, I’m not sure if there are any other televised psycho Sandy Claws that tops the Cryptkeeper’s “And All Through the House” season one episode. Heavily considered in fandom as one of the best in the series, the June 10th, 1989 premiere is taken directly from the #35 Vault of Horror EC comic. Staying true to that 1950s eerie tale in the graphic mag, Director Robert Zemeckis and Monster Squad writer Fred Dekker begin the shenanigans with an even more horrifying than usual Cryptkeeper donning a Santa mask. (I’m pretty certain that was the most terrifying visual during the entire 22 minutes.)
Writer Dekker brings in his Monster Squad actress, the late Mary Ellen Trainor to portray a greedy wife who murdered her husband on Christmas Eve to gain insurance money. All while their daughter is upstairs anxiously waiting for the arrival of Santa. Lovely, eh? Well, karma is a mighty bitch and while the housewife of the year is dumping the body in the backyard, an escaped lunatic dressed as St. Nick attacks her. She narrowly escapes back to the house, but the deranged Kris Kringle is relentless in his attempts to give her a dose of Christmas justice.
Also, worth noting, Hollywood giant in Cinematography Dean Cundey worked on this episode. In case you’re unfamiliar, Cundey has provided his directorial photography skills to various John Carpenter classics such as Big Trouble in Little China, The Thing, Halloween II, Season of The Witch, and evenJurassic Park! Just a fun little fact I didn’t want you guys to miss. Speaking of, can we please get all the seasons streaming already with our literal 10,000 different subscribed services!? It’s 2022 and the fact Tales From The Crypt can’t get a home anywhere is beyond frustrating. The licensing issues shave gone on far too long and enough is enough. So thank ghouls that we have a FREE YOUTUBE upload here courtesy of Spooky Gals Corner.
Today we’re going back to the gritty basics here on NN and diving deep down the grimy chimney into the seventh layer of Santa Claus Hell with some of my favorite kill scenes in the Christmas Horror genre.
A horror movie’s kill count and quality can be the deciding factor to some moviegoers in the arena of whether the film is considered memorable or not. Personally, this sort of thing doesn’t phase me but to others, it’s a damn big deal so I’ve put together here a list of some pretty fucked up but awesome death scenes in the Christmas horror category of the genre for nothing other than our pure entertainment.
Now, On Slasher, on Necromancer! On Basher and Vex-in! Cheesy, I know but I couldn’t help myself.
10. Silent Night Deadly Night 5: The Toymaker- Death by Toy Worm
I have a weird and unrelenting love for Silent Night, Deadly Night 5: The Toymakerstarring America’s favorite Golden Age loveable actor, Mickey Rooney. So I’m including it purely out of my own bias, and well because it doesn’t get any love whatsoever on Christmas Horror lists. And mother fucker, I’m a rebel.
Harold the landlord chokes down on this toy slug as he’s driving while this wild worm toy comes to life in his car and basically hollows out his skull, resulting in obviously his death followed by a fiery crash. What a way to go out.
9. Jack Frost- Snowman Rape
Beyond the pure joy we had as kids switching this hysterical horror gem out with Michael Keaton’s family-friendly film Jack Frost at our local video stores, this cult status holiday wtf-fest was, and still is a must-see for any horror fan.
In said scene, an inconspicuous carrot appears in the tub with Liz, followed by a mound of snow forming into that of Jack Frost. He grabs Liz, slams her around a bit while forcefully banging (ahem) her against the bathroom wall, ultimately dropping her naked body on the cold tile for her to die out. That is forever some wild shit to put on screen.
8. Krampus- Kid Eaten By Jack-In-The-Box
I always gotta give credit when a horror movie has the balls to kill a kid. 2015’s Krampus did this very thing with no apologies for it.
Jordan was a bit of a dick, but as a parent, I almost feel bad for the kid, as really no one deserves to be chomped up and eaten by a giant Der Jack-in-the-Box with teeth that can only rival that of Reverend Henry Kane. Not much to say other than it’s fucked up and brutal, folks.
7. Christmas Evil- Death by Toy Soldier
An underrated Christmas gem of chaos goes to Christmas Evil, and this toy soldier right in the eye, courtesy of our psychopath Santa of the moment, Harry Stadling. Harry here has a lot in common with the more well-known Santa suit donning maniac, Billy Silent Night, Deadly Night, as both are triggered into a homicidal rampage on Christmas, and check it, both work with toys. However, Harry actually WANTS to be Santa and will go as far as sticking toys in eyeballs to ensure that everyone takes his stance seriously, followed by an ax to the dome.
6. Gremlins- Mrs. Deagle Gets Yeeted
Very few deaths in horror movies were ever so satisfying as that of Mrs. Deagle getting yeeted from her electric staircase chair, right onto the street courtesy of the Gremsters. She threatened a dog-she had this coming. And her 100 cats didn’t deserve her.
5. Inside- Fetal Extraction
A newer film often unmentioned but worth a watch, if you can stomach it, is Inside. If it’s more than 10 years old, you’ll not likely hear a peep from said film on this blog, but here’s a rare exception. I’m not even gonna tell you what it’s about, but it takes place on Christmas Eve and involves a pregnant widow. And well, I guess this is a massive spoiler here but this scene in question is about as brutal as it gets and I can’t NOT give it a nod.
A somewhat retelling of Silent Night. Deadly Night (we already had one of those with Silent Night, Deadly Night 2 thanks) 2012 brought us Silent Night and this infamous scene where if you haven’t seen the film, you at least have heard about it.
The Coen Brothers’ FARGO doesn’t hold a candle to this death-by-wood-chipper scene where our manic Santa feeds a porn star into the hungry machine legs first. I mean, porn stars are supposed to give woodys right? Maybe they were just taking it very literally here. I’m just full of bad Dad jokes today.
3. Elves- Santa’s “Sack“
This 1989 hot mess of a Christmas cult classic is just that- and I’m fucking here for it.
Listen, this 2-foot homicidal Goblin Elf stabbing this Mall Santa in his junk had me laughing for hours upon the first watch- and I never forgot it. This roller coaster of a goofy film that includes shameless nudity, an F-Bomb every 10 seconds, and a Nazi plot (yes nazis) along with Dan Haggarty, isn’t for everyone. But at the very least, it’s good for a laugh- with this scene in particular being the film’s Mona Lisa moment.
One of you lucky elves can snatch this DVD from a seller on ETSY for a great price since the movie is hard to come by on streaming sites.
2. Silent Night, Deadly Night
Hanging Linnea from the antlers with care, with psycho Billy Santa screaming “PUNISH” everywhere.
Silent Night, Deadly Night is known throughout the horror community for a lot of things other than just another Christmas horror flick. From all the nostalgic items seen throughout Ira’s Toys to being banned from theaters thanks to a bunch of angry moms protesting the movie outside local cinemas. But, perhaps the most memorable thing is our dear horror queen Linnea Quigley being strung up like a demented Christmas trophy kill. Goddess bless that woman.
1. Black Christmas- Plastic Bag Death
Here we are- the ultimate fucked up Christmas horror death and perhaps the most infamous- the plastic bag suffocation of Clarein 1974’s Black Christmas.
As if having your head swaddled around by Saran Wrap disabling your breath and draining your life force isn’t terrifying enough, the fact she was never found makes this even more horrific. The sheer irony that the movie is integrally “wrapped” around Clare’s death shoots this to number one for me because damn that’s just brilliant. That final shot of Black Christmas sticks with you for a long time. Note: if we can just make a holiday horror yule log out of that shot alone, taunting us from the window as we stare at the ‘Pi Kappa Sigma’ sorority house from the street, that would be the Christmas gift we all need this year, thanks.
