Horror History: FRIDAY THE 13TH PART 2 Is Now 40 Years Old
Mike Sprague
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On this day in horror history, director Steve Miner’s classic slasher sequel Friday the 13th Part 2 with Amy Steel opened back in 1981. The film marks the debut of Jason Voorhees as the main antagonist, played by Steve Daskewisz and Warrington Gillette.
Also Read: Blu-ray Review: FRIDAY THE 13TH PART 2
The second entry in the series. It focuses on a group of teenage would-be counselors converging on Camp Crystal Lake for training under head counselor Paul. Inevitably, Paul relates the story of Jason Voorhees, a boy who ostensibly drowned at the camp and whose mother murdered a group of counselors in revenge. No one takes the tale seriously until a very much alive Jason begins gruesomely eliminating people.
Steve Miner (Lake Placid, Friday the 13th Part III, House, Warlock, Halloween H20: 20 Years Later) made his directorial debut from a screenplay written by Ron Kurz. Amy Steel (April Fool’s Day) and John Furey starred. Along with killer cameos from Adrienne King (Alice), Betsy Palmer (Pamela Voorhees), and Walt Gorney (Ralph).
Harry Manfredini composed the classic score.
The film sports a 28% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The Critics Consensus: Friday the 13th Part 2 sets the template for the franchise to follow with more teen victims, more gruesome set pieces, and fewer reasons to keep following along.
The film snagged $6.4M opening weekend on 1,350 screens. It ultimately grossed $21.7M. On a budget of $1.25M. It was the 35th highest-grossing film of 1981. Facing competition from Omen III: The Final Conflict, The Evil Dead, The Howling, My Bloody Valentine, Happy Birthday to Me, Graduation Day, Halloween II, and The Burning.
How much do you love Friday the 13th Part 2?
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