Stephen Romano’s RETRO 13 – Strange Behavior
Stephen Romano
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This week on RETRO 13, I’m trotting out a true classic from 1981, Michael Laughlin’s Strange Behavior. Also known as Dead Kids, this was part of a “Strange” two-film cycle, which concluded with Strange Invaders in 1983. Both films were intended to be throwbacks to 1950s sci-fi flicks—the first a take on the old Mad Scientist thrillers, the second a homage to Outer Space Creature Features. Laughlin’s ambitions proved a little too big on the low budget he had for his first film, though the second one truly evokes the period in high style. Scroll below to see my take on the first “Strange” film, done in the authentic mode of 1980s horror posters.
Strange Behavior is, by far, the scarier of the two films. It has quirky characters and creepy moments, as campus kids are transformed by a mad scientist and his evil hatchet lady into blood-seeking killers—wearing Tor Johnson masks! The film’s original poster was quite bland, as you can see here. Because 1981 was the initial heyday of first-run slasher films, the distributor played that element only and nothing else. Ehhh. For RETRO 13, you’ll get something a lot more epic that captures the true vibe of the movie and features the film’s central hero and villains. That hero is played by none other than Michael Murphy, the legendary star of such horror classics as Phase IV and Woody Allen’s Manhattan. (Calm down. Stop laughing.) And, of course, I had to have Tor in there, too.
The 1980s were also the heyday of the legendary synth band Tangerine Dream, who provide the terrific score for Strange Behavior. While it may distract from the 1950s vibe a bit, the music gives the film an atmosphere which was completely unique at the time—an atmosphere often imitated but never truly equaled. Tangerine Dream were true pioneers in the experimental electronic music music biz, formed in 1967, with nearly 40 albums to their credit and more that 20 film scores, including the classics Near Dark, Risky Business, Sorcerer, Miracle Mile, Wavelength (a film which will soon also be featured on RETRO 13) and my personal favorite, the obscure R-rated grindhouse James Bond wannabe The Soldier, a film in which the music becomes a character far more memorable than the Soldier himself. (If you’ve never seen that movie don’t feel lazy. It’s never been released on anything but VHS—so GET A COPY! IT’S AMAZING.)
In those early days, Tangerine Dream rarely scored to picture. Unlike John Carpenter, who always played his synth scores “to the TV,” the Dream usually never had a single reference image to work with. They were given notes by the filmmakers and composed double-blind in the studio, presenting finished tracks to directors such as William Friedkien, often before shooting was even complete. For Strange Behavior, they provide a haunting atonal wall of sound that suggests madness incarnate washing over you in weird waves. Something strange is happening here. But don’t take my word for it. Seek the film out. It’s worth the effort, kids.
Click here for the full-size image.
AUTHOR’S NOTE: This poster is intended as FAN ART only and is designed to be shared, for free, for anyone who wants to own it for themselves. Download it, share it, spread the horror! And come see me at my website for more fun.
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