It's as universal as gravity. Every Halloween, the sweetie and I will pass out the best candy on the block (all chocolate) and we'll watch at least two horror flicks. Sometimes there's more, but the night won't go by without "Fright Night."
This 1985 movie is like Halloween candy -- sweet and familiar, and completely without nutritional value. The movie scoops up every cliche of the vampire movie, mixes them with a "Scooby Doo" premise (What happens when a vampire moves into the creepy house next door?) and serves them up with a wink and a smile. Toss in "Ghostbusters" style special effects and you've got quite a show.
Roddy McDowall steals the show as a washed-up horror movie star the kids turn to for advice. A pre-"Married with Children" Amanda Bearse does sweet and wholesome as Charley's girlfriend, who of course, looks *just like* the vampire's lost love.
Chris Sarandon gives a surprisingly creepy and effective performance as a vampire named Jerry. He plays it straight, for the most part, and gives the movie some needed weight. The combination of humor and horror is what elevates "Fright Night" from forgettable to cult classic.
He got me, Charley! He bit me! You know what you're gonna have to do now, don't you? Kill me. Kill me, Charley... before I turn into a vampire, and... GIVE YOU A HICKEY!
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