Fright Night

UPC: 043396056299

Studio: Columbia TriStar

MPAA Rating: R   Contains:[Violence, Graphic Violence, Nudity, Adult Situations, Not For Children, Adult Language, Profanity]

Summary: A teenage horror film addict is shocked to discover that his new next-door neighbor is a vampire in this delightful mix of horror and comedy. The problems only grow for young Charley Brewster (William Ragsdale) when he expresses his thoughts about fanged new neighbor Jerry Dandridge (Chris Sarandon). His girlfriend, Amy (Amanda Bearse), thinks Charley is avoiding their relationship issues, his single mom thinks Dandridge (Chris Sarandon) could be a potential boyfriend, and his buddy "Evil" (Stephen Geoffreys) just thinks Charley's losing it. Worst of all, Dandridge and his nasty assistant, Billy Cole (Jonathan Stark), are on to Charley's wild notions -- and have plans to pay him a late-night visit to silence him. With no one to help him, Charley turns to the one man he knows has faced the wrath of the undead and lived, the fearless vampire killer Peter Vincent (Roddy McDowall). A washed-up actor who has just been fired from his job as the host of a late-night horror show, Vincent is not about to believe in the rantings of an impressionable teen. However, lured by Amy's cash offer, he agrees to help her convince Charley that Dandridge isn't a vampire. There is just one problem: Dandridge is a vampire and when Amy falls under his evil spell, its up Charley and Peter to drive a stake through their potential romance. ~ Patrick Legare, Rovi

Category: Horror

Features: Languages: English, French
Subtitles: English, French
Theatrical trailer
Scene selections
Widescreen and full screen formats

Fright Night

Format: Digital Video Disc (DVD)

Release Date: 09/07/1999

Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 Cinemascope, 1.33:1 Pre-1954 Standard

Audio: DS Dolby Surround (4.0)

Runtime: 106 Minutes

Sides: 2

Number of Discs: 1

Language(s) English,French,Portuguese

Subtitles: English,French,Portuguese

Region: USA & territories, Canada

Chapters: Disc #1, Side A -- Fright Night (Widescreen)
1. Start [3:31]
2. Peter Vincent [11:29]
3. Body Disposal [2:26]
4. Detective Lennox [3:26]
5. Evil Ed's Advice [1:58]
6. Invited In [4:38]
7. Given a Choice [5:06]
8. A Call From Jerry [7:40]
9. Recruiting Mr. Vincent [4:38]
10. At the Lair [3:26]
11. Holy Water Test [3:06]
12. Moment Of Non-Reflection [3:47]
13. Evil Is As Evil Does [3:20]
14. Pursued [1:00]
15. Evil Ed Gets Cross [1:51]
16. Calling Peter Vincent [2:06]
17. Seducing Amy [3:25]
18. Panic At Club Radio [1:32]
19. At Peter's Apartment [2:12]
20. Amy & Jerry [6:51]
21. The Cross Test [1:23]
22. Checking On Mrs. B [1:21]
23. Peter & The Wolf [6:48]
24. On the Staircase [6:26]
25. Bat Out Of Hell [1:08]
26. In the Basement [2:35]
27. Stake Out [:44]
28. Shedding Some Light [8:19]
Disc #1, Side B -- Fright Night (Fullscreen)
1. Start [3:31]
2. Peter Vincent [11:29]
3. Body Disposal [2:26]
4. Detective Lennox [3:26]
5. Evil Ed's Advice [1:58]
6. Invited In [4:38]
7. Given a Choice [5:06]
8. A Call From Jerry [7:40]
9. Recruiting Mr. Vincent [4:38]
10. At the Lair [3:26]
11. Holy Water Test [3:06]
12. Moment Of Non-Reflection [3:47]
13. Evil Is As Evil Does [3:20]
14. Pursued [1:00]
15. Evil Ed Gets Cross [1:51]
16. Calling Peter Vincent [2:06]
17. Seducing Amy [3:25]
18. Panic At Club Radio [1:32]
19. At Peter's Apartment [2:12]
20. Amy & Jerry [6:51]
21. The Cross Test [1:23]
22. Checking On Mrs. B [1:21]
23. Peter & The Wolf [6:48]
24. On the Staircase [6:26]
25. Bat Out Of Hell [1:08]
26. In the Basement [2:35]
27. Stake Out [:44]
28. Shedding Some Light [8:19]

Patrick Legare

Tom Holland perfectly blends horror and comedy in this popular, well-made send-up of the old "Chiller Theater"-style horror shows that could be found on late-night television in the 1960s and '70s. Holland's screenplay doesn't try to be fancy. Instead, he concocts the simple, suspenseful story of a teen who discovers an awful secret -- that his next-door neighbor is a vampire -- and then lets his actors take care of the rest. William Ragsdale does an excellent job playing the frazzled teen protagonist, while Chris Sarandon takes full advantage of his role as the ultra-evil blood-sucker. Amanda Bearse and Stephen Geoffreys also turn in solid supporting turns as Ragsdale's girlfriend and best friend, respectively, but it is Roddy McDowall who steals the show. Playing the part of aging horror host Peter Vincent (named for Peter Cushing and Vincent Price) who comes to Ragsdale's rescue, McDowall really seems to enjoy himself in the meaty role whether he's pretending to be the "great vampire killer" of his character's movie roles or just plain running scared from Sarandon's nasty vampire. From a technical perspective, Fright Night maintains a chilling, uneasy atmosphere thanks to the great haunted-house setting of the vampire's lair in which the bulk of the film's scariest scenes occur. The special makeup effects by Richard Edlund are well-done with particular acclaim reserved for the fantastic slaying of the vampire's day-walking helper (played by Jonathan Stark). Even the effects-filled finale doesn't come close to this incredible sequence. Bearse's vampire look is outlandish, but disturbing thanks to its clownish mouth full of teeth. The costumes, makeup, and soundtrack date this film a bit to its 1980s roots, as they are heavily influenced by the styles and sounds of the decade. The J. Geils Band performs the title track. McDowall and Ragsdale reprised their roles in the 1989 sequel Fright Night Part II. ~ Patrick Legare, Rovi

Cast and Crew: Nick Savage  Actor 
Chris Hendrie  Actor 
Irina Irvine  Actor 
Ernie Holmes  Actor 
Robert Corff  Actor 
Pamela Brown  Actor 
Heidi Sorenson  Actor 
Prince Hughes  Actor 
Steven Hilliard Stern  Actor 
Jackie Burch  Actor 
Tangerine Dream  Composer (Music Score) 
Brad Fiedel  Composer (Music Score) 
Tom Holland  Director 
Tom Holland  Screenwriter 
Herb Jaffe  Producer 
Chris Sarandon  Actor 
William Ragsdale  Actor 
Amanda Bearse  Actor 
Roddy McDowall  Actor 
Stephen Geoffreys  Actor 
Jonathan Stark  Actor 
Dorothy Fielding  Actor 
Art Evans  Actor 

Country: USA