Remembering '80s Horror Films: DARK NIGHT of the SCARECROW (1981)

Few people can deny that the '81 television film "Dark Night of the Scarecrow" is one of the best made for TV horror films of its day (and any day for that matter), but it took until last year for the film to finally see the light of day on DVD and the wait was worth it as the film never looked better. I remember seeing the film on television in the '80s (during a rerun and not the original broadcast) and particularly remember actor Larry Drake as Bubba, the simple minded young man accused of killing a young girl. He was then murdered in cold blood by Otis Hazelrigg (Charles Durning, in one of his greatest villainous roles) and his gang. Bubba comes back to life for vengeance as a scarecrow terrorizing his tormentors. The film - as written by J.D. Feigelson (with story by Feigelson and Butler Handcock) and directed by Frank De Felitta - actually holds up very well with its themes of bullying, acceptance and even a hint of pedophilia.

The magic of this film is held in the innocence of the character of Bubba and how it is reflected in the eyes of his mother Mrs. Ritter (Jocelyn Brando) and Marylee (Tonya Crowe), Bubba's young friend whom he is accused of killing until it is discovered that she is not dead and Bubba tried to save her. The film has a charm to this day because all the violence is off screen and the deaths all appear like accidents. The scarecrow itself never really comes to life but it is the expressions from its victims that allows the audience to see the real terror. This is a film where less is more and it works perfectly (even in this modern age of over showing everything - ala the "Saw" franchise). The film still holds up because it's a great story executed better than many theatrical films with a theme that is universal and always current.

Although only in a short role Drake gives the performance of his career (which probably inspired his character of Benny in the television series "L.A. Law"). Most people will most remember him from his villainous character of Durant in the "Darkman" films but this film just proves that he is an actor of great range. If you've never seen "Dark Night of the Scarecrow" then you're in for a treat and if you have it's one of the good films to remember from the '80s.