Minnesota-born Jim Mallon is probably best known today as one of the creators of Mystery Science Theater 3000. However, back in the mid-1980s, he had just graduated from college when he got a job at WHA-TV in Madison. Since converting to video, the studio had access to tons of unused film equipment, which Mallon decided to use. He contacted his old friend David Herbert to write a script based on an early short film. With a budget of $200,000, filming lasted for 35 days in Hayward, Wisconsin, under the title Muskie Madness. While initially planned for a 1986 release, the film had to be trimmed to avoid an X rating for violence. At some point, Troma acquired the distribution rights to the film and decided to re-edit and re-title the picture. In April 1987, Troma released Mallon’s film in theaters as Blood Hook.
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Synopsis
Seventeen years after witnessing his grandfather’s death, Peter van Clease (Mark Jacobs) returns to his hometown for a fishing festival. There’s also his girlfriend Ann (Lisa Jane Todd) and friends Rodney (Patrick Danz), Kiersten (Sara Hauser), and Finner (Christopher Whiting). While everyone’s preparing for the Muskie Madness fishing contest, a psychopathic killer is on the loose. His method of choice involves using a large lure on a fishing line to reel in his victims. While the sheriff (Paul Heckman) tries to keep the peace, our heroes scramble to figure out who the killer is. Wayne Duerst (Paul Drake) instantly distrusts Peter and his friends, while his son Evelyn (Bill Lowrie) thinks there’s something more. While suffering from PTSD over his grandfather’s death, Peter has to rise to the occasion and stop the killer. But who is this psychotic fisherman, and why is he catching people with his blood hook?
Review
Blood Hook is a ridiculous movie, and the filmmakers are fully aware of that, but there’s plenty of sincerity. One aspect that works in the movie’s favor is the location, an actual small town in Wisconsin. It’s the sort of homegrown setting where you feel like you know everyone, and minor things are significant events. Jim Mallon does a great job of capturing the beauty of the lakeside locations while adding a moody atmosphere. It’s worth noting that the key grip was Kevin Murphy, who went on to voice Tom Servo in MST3K. In addition, the movie moves at a steady pace, offering enough time between kills to develop the characters further. Also, the way the killer dispatches his victims with a fishing hook is unique, and each kill is quite bloody. There are also some disturbing moments where the victims are dragged with ropes through their mouths.
The acting is hit or miss, with some standing out or coming off as a wet blanket. For most of the runtime, Mark Jacobs is a bland lead that makes dumb decisions that hurt his character. Lisa Jane Todd is likable enough as the love interest, but the other would-be victims are pretty forgettable. Bill Lowrie is easily the biggest stand-out in the cast as a crazed Vietnam veteran who rants about conspiracy theories. Don Winters also does a great job playing a friendly fisherman/bait shop owner who might be hiding something sinister. Also worth noting is Sandy Meuwissen, who is irresistibly cute, and her bubbly personality makes her endearing. The movie clocks in at 111 minutes, which is long for this type of movie, but it never drags. Overall, Blood Hook isn’t one of the greatest Troma movies, but it’s an underrated gem.
Buy Blood Hook from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3UkWKit.
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