This Day in Horror History: FRIDAY THE 13TH PART VIII: THE NEW BLOOD Was Released in 1988

On this day in horror history, Paramount Pictures unleashed Troll and Cellar Dweller director John Carl Buechler’s seventh entry in the Friday the 13th series, Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood aka “Jason vs. Carrie” into theaters back in 1988.

Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood is notable for being the first time that Kane Hodder played Jason Voorhees. It also marks the final role for Walt Gorney, who was the narrator in this film and Crazy Ralph in the first two entries.

RELATED: Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood – A 30th Anniversary Retrospective

Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood begins years after the strange drowning death of her father, Tina Shepard returns to the site of his demise, Crystal Lake. Her developing psychic powers were responsible for ending his life, leaving Tina riddled with guilt as an adult. While deceitful Dr. Crews tries to manipulate her abilities for his own ends, both physician and patient are in for a shock when Tina’s powers unwittingly free camper-killer Jason Voorhees from his watery slumber.

Rated R for adult situations/language, nudity, and violence, it sports a 32% approval rating over on Rotten Tomatoes with a Critics Consensus that reads: As lumbering and bereft of conscious thought as its unstoppable star, Friday the 13th Part VII – The New Blood finds the franchise in desperate need of the title ingredient.

RELATED: Waxwork Releasing FRIDAY THE 13TH PART VII: THE NEW BLOOD Original Motion Picture Soundtrack by Harry Manfredini & Fred Mollin

It starred Lar Park Lincoln as Tina, Kevin Blair as Nick, Susan Blu as Mrs. Shepard, Terry Kiser as Dr. Crews, Susan Jennifer Sullivan as Melissa, Elizabeth Kaitan as Robin, Jon Renfield as David, Jeff Bennett as Eddie, Heidi Kozak as Sandra, Diana Barrows as Maddy, Larry Cox as Russell, and Kane Hodder as Jason.

John Carl Buechler directed the flick from a screenplay written by Manuel Fidello and Daryl Haney based on characters created by Victor Miller. Iain Paterson produced and Harry Manfredini and Fred Mollin provided the killer score. Paramount unleashed it into a theater near your parents on Friday, May 13, 1988.

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