This Day in Horror History: FRIDAY THE 13th Was Released in 1980
Josh Millican
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The original Friday the 13th turns 40-years-old today, making this particular horror journalist feel very old!
Friday the 13th captured audiences’ imaginations and permeated our collective psyche. The film spawned one of the longest-running and most successful horror franchises in film history with 11 subsequent movies and, 40 years later, the iconic machete-wielding killer continues to haunt, fascinate and terrify new generations.
If it’s been a while, or if you’ve yet to experience the film that started it all, check out the trailer for Friday the 13th below.
Friday the 13th follows a group of young counselors preparing for the reopening of Camp Crystal Lake, where a boy drowned years earlier. One by one, the counselors are stalked by a mysterious and violent killer. The film stars Betsy Palmer, Adrienne King, and Kevin Bacon. Sean S. Cunningham directed from a screenplay penned by Victor Miller.
Trivia:
Tom Savini was one of the first crew members on board for the film because the producers idolized his special make-up effects in Dawn of the Dead (1978). (Source)
Because the camp was closed during filming, and situated in the deep New Jersey woods, the cast and crew didn’t see much outside interference, but it turned out they had a very famous neighbor: rock star Lou Reed, who owned a farm nearby. “We got to watch Lou Reed play for free, right in front of us, while we were making the film,” Soundman Richard Murphy said. “He came by the set, and we hung around with each other, and he was just a really great guy.” (Source)
Are you a fan of the original Friday the 13th? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram! You can also carry on the convo with me personally on Twitter @josh_millican.
Categorized:News This Day in Horror
