Children Shouldn't Play With Dead Things – 35th Anniversary Exhumed
Edition
(1972/VCI DVD)
Picture: C Sound: C
Extras: B+ Film: B+
Completely cheesy and hokey, but regardless of
that, somehow Bob Clark’s Children Shouldn't Play With Dead Things still
manages to give the creeps. The story is
about an acting troupe lured to an out of the way cemetery by their director,
played by Alan Ormsby. A few words of
hocus-pocus later, and what was jokingly intending to raise nothing more than a
scare out of his actors, truly does manage to revive the rotting corpses and
send them after the troupe.
It’s seemingly indescribable - the acting is fairly atrocious, and the gore
level really isn't high at all. Clark’s
direction is capable, but there are many times where the script just mills about
and there is little left for a director to compensate with. But still,
when the dead begin to rise from their graves en masse - it's perfectly
chilling.
One other film sequence that I feel has a similar effect is the "Father's
Day" story out of the collaboration between Stephen King and George
Romero, Creepshow. While each of these movies handles these
scenarios in very different ways (In Father’s Day we are treated to only a
single zombie), the comic book come to life feeling is captured well in both
instances. The music chosen in both
cases is memorable creepy, and certainly adds to the feel of the scenes.
Both Romero’s film and Children Shouldn't Play With Dead Things have a
kind of charm that is missing from modern horror. These films should be sought out by those
feeling that there has been missing something from the endless parade of
remakes and re-imaginings that we have today. Fortunately, these films
are now available with added bonus material that wasn’t available some years
ago when these titles first released.
Thankfully, VCI has seen fit to reissue the title
at hand on two occasions, both of which provide the same additional content. Unfortunately for those seeking the extra
content given to Creepshow, you’ll have to seek out the British DVD
import.
Sadly, Bob Clark passed away before being able to helm a sequel to Children
Shouldn't Play With Dead Things, or a remake, which was also
proposed. He will best be remembered for his now classic film, A
Christmas Story, as well as his other contributions to Canadian Horror - Black
Christmas and Dead of Night (a.k.a. Deathdream).
The sound and video are only so good here, but you could do much worse. Some noticeable grain and a murky transfer
will turn off some, but it is improved slightly over the prior release. The film is presented with an aspect ratio of
1.85:1, and is anamorphically enhanced. The
sound here is Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono.
As mentioned earlier, there is new bonus content in the form of commentary,
interviews and tributes to the film, as well as a memoriam for the late
director, Bob Clark.
In spite of the obvious flaws and any problems that one might have with various
aspects of this film, it is still an excellent example of a good schlocky
movie. For those of you who are
interested, pick it up immediately and share - it is a horror experience for
all to enjoy.
- David
Milchick
