Rufus Butler Seder had an affinity for films from an early age, thanks in part to his father. He studied at the American Film Institute and received tons of acclaim for his experimental short films. At some point, Seder wanted to make a biopic about Thomas Edison and Nikola Tesla, but that never happened. With no projects lined up, Seder dug up an old script he had written in the late 1970s. The screenplay took inspiration from his experiences in Hollywood, especially some odd neighbors he had in his apartment complex. On a budget of roughly $50,000, Seder set up the Boston Black and White Movie Company to work on this. He and his team did almost all of the in-camera effects, including front projection and forced perspective. Though New Line Cinema showed interest, Troma ultimately acquired the rights and released the film in 1985 as Screamplay.
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Synopsis
Struggling writer Edgar Allen (Rufus Butler Seder) moves to Hollywood with dreams to make a name for himself. Unfortunately, Edgar gets mugged on his first day in Tinseltown, and a stranger kills the mugger right after. The killer is Martin (George Kuchar), a sleazy landlord who hires Edgar as a custodian if he keeps silent. Edgar spends his nights writing murder stories in his spare time, many inspired by what happens around him. His neighbors include aging actress Nina Ray (Linda Robinson), prophet/rocker Lot (Bob White), and aspiring actress Holly (Katy Bolger). Before long, people start dying in ways that are eerily similar to the scenarios Edgar writes, which raises suspicion. Officers Tony Cassano (Basil J. Bova) and Joe Blatz (George Cordeiro) are investigating, and all signs point to Edgar. Has the struggling writer finally lost it, or is there someone else responsible?
Review
Screamplay is one of those films where the people behind it are wearing their influences on their sleeves. They drive this further by showing clips from Nosferatu, The Golem, and Cabinet of Dr. Caligari so that you know. Thankfully, the filmmakers use their influences to tell a creative and unique story rather than just recycling something similar. Rufus Butler Seder gives a wonderfully exaggerated performance as struggling screenwriter Edgar Allen, who can be both likable and creepy. Whenever we see him going mad, his manic expressions remind me of silent actors like Lon Chaney and Conrad Veidt. The film was shot entirely in black and white that both pays tribute and adds a sense of dread. The film sometimes feels like a nightmare come to life with all the twisted shadows and warped perspective. For such a small budget, they were able to pull off quite a bit.
What also helps this stand out are all the side characters, each just as memorable and weird as Edgar. You’ve got the washed-up B-movie actress trying to cling onto whatever youth she has left by constantly making herself up. Then there’s Lot, a stoned-out rockstar who prophesies about the evils of Hollywood and partakes in some holistic remedies. Even the seemingly pure and innocent Holly has her quirks, namely that she’ll do anything to be an actress. Of course, there’s plenty of over-the-top deaths and even some nudity, but it’s all reasonably tame even by Troma standards. This movie is more psychological, so people expecting an all-out gore and tit fest might be disappointed. However, if you consider yourself a Troma fan, you really should give this sadly forgotten shocker a chance. Overall, Screamplay is both a loving homage to Old Hollywood but also a wonderfully grim and dark thriller.
Buy Screamplay from Amazon: https://amzn.to/2XW0DCf.
