"Mr. Jingles"

When former phone screener Jessica Hall worked for the "Scott and Casey" radio talker in Detroit, they'd occasionally ask what was going on with the movie "Mr. Jingles" which she was co-starring in.

The daily updates and behind the scenes chatter peaked my interest and I couldn't wait for the movie to come out on DVD since the film was also being filmed in the suburbs of Detroit. Hall wouldn't give out much about the movie but assured the listeners it was a horror movie.

I started to think the movie would never get released to the public and one day she announced it had been picked up for distribution and after forgetting about it, I finally came across it.

"Mr. Jingles" is basically your typical slash flick. A man who dresses as a clown (Dr. Rudolph C. Hatfield) to entertain neighborhood children is wrongfully imprisoned for a crime he didn't commit.

Covering up the incident is Mayor Baines (Tom Reeser) and upon learning that survivor Angie Randall (Kelli Jensen) has been released from a psychiatric hospital on the anniversary of the slaughter, Baines contacts Bill, the cop (Chris Peters) who killed Mr. Jingles to keep the secret.

As the body count begins to rise again, Kelli goes home to live with her aunt (Niclole Majdali) and cousins Heidi and Dylan (Hall and Nathanial Ketchum) where she wants to just get on with her life and be normal.

Over at the cemetery, a man is murdered and Baines and Bill meet a stranger (John Anton) who takes Bill back to his place and tells him about the treatment Mr. Jingles received in prison and how he recited a demonic incantation to return and finish off those who put him away.

Meanwhile, a party which was planned for Angie's homecoming/birthday party may be put on hold since Aunt Helen has to go out of town on business. Heidi and Angie beg to have the party and she agrees they can still have the party in her absence.

But, Dylan and his friends have a different type of homecoming planned for Angie, thanks to Dylan's Goth girlfriend Melanie (Heather Doba) who holds Angie responsible for her father Bill quitting the police force.

If you're a horror fan, you may want to add this movie to your collection. Although the film quality isn't the best and don't expect gory murders. In fact, the murders are pretty tame and laughable.

While the performances are good I wasn't impressed with Anton's performance. His character is too high strung and he seems to be rushing through his lines making them all run together. But, his character is pivotal to the plot so if you may have to take a Dramamine to get through his fanatic performance.

So the next time you hear sleigh bells, don't look back since it could me Mr. Jingles making a house call.