In 1974, Texas-born filmmaker Tobe Hooper shocked the world with the horror classic The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. Made on a budget of roughly $140,000, the film grossed over $30 million and is considered a groundbreaking film. Hooper followed this up with 1977’s Eaten Alive, a similarly themed backwoods killer movie that’s since developed a cult following. In 1979, Hooper was hired by Warner Bros Television for the Salem’s Lot miniseries based on the Stephen King book. After Friday the 13th was a massive hit in 1980, numerous studious were trying to make their own slasher film. Universal received a script from writer Lawrence Block that fit the slasher formula, and they hired Hooper to direct. With a budget of roughly $3 million, this was the most expensive film Hooper had made at the time. On Friday, March 13th, 1981, The Funhouse was released to theaters.
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Synopsis
Young Amy Harper (Elizabeth Berridge) is going out with her boyfriend Buzz (Cooper Huckabee) to the local carnival. They’re on a double date with her best friend Liz Duncan (Largo Woodruff) and Liz’s irresponsible boyfriend Richie (Miles Chapin). While exploring the carnival, Richie comes up with the idea to spend the night at “The Funhouse”. That night, they accidentally witness the mute worker Gunther (Wayne Doba) murder the fortune teller/prostitute Madame Zena (Sylvia Miles). The Funhouse’s carnival barker Conrad Straker (Kevin Conway) discovers what happened, but he also sees that their money is gone. Turns out Richie stole the money while the group was trying to leave, so Conrad sends Gunther after them. The group is soon picked off one by one through various traps and props in the attraction. It’s a carnival of terror as our heroes try to survive The Funhouse!
Review
Though not quite on par with The Texas Chain Saw Massacre and Poltergeist, The Funhouse is an underrated gem. In anyone else’s hands, this would’ve been a cheap, fly-by exploitation flick, but with Hooper directing, it’s something more. Carnivals have always had a somewhat creepy vibe to them, especially late at night, and this film nails that. The use of colored lighting mixed with the shadows and darkness gives the funhouse set a very nightmarish quality. The score by composer John Beal further adds to the foreboding mood, sounding very off-kilter and bizarre. We first see Gunther wearing a worn-out Frankenstein mask, which is already creepy, but his face reveal is something else. The make-up effects were designed by Rick Baker, who later won an Oscar for An American Werewolf in London. Even though it’s just a mask, it has a very unique design and impressive features.
Speaking of Gunther, Wayne Doba does a good job given that he has no lines and utilizes his body language. He gives what could’ve otherwise been a mindless monster a sympathetic quality like he has a child’s mind. This is complemented by Kevin Conway’s performance as the barker who’s also Gunther’s father, who clearly cares for his son. Conway gives a very sinister tone as a villain who believes that he’s doing good despite doing evil things. Elizabeth Berridge makes for a fairly likable lead, though the other leads come off a bit standoffish and rude. The late character actor William Finley has a small but memorable role as the eccentric magician Marco The Magnificent. Though more so relying on terror than horror, this is still a very creepy and chilling horror film worth watching. Overall, The Funhouse is one hell of a thrill ride you won’t soon forget.
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