The early ‘80s was an outstanding time for scary movies, and we have the video to prove it. In 1982, Universal publicity and marketing specialist Mick Garris was responsible for getting the word out on the studio’s horror and science fiction films. As part of that task, he produced and hosted Take One, a 25-minute roundtable discussion between horror masters David Cronenberg, John Carpenter and John Landis, all of whom were working on projects at Universal at the time. Though it was originally created for promotional purposes, the footage provides valuable insight on the filmmakers’ philosophies and approaches.
Coincidentally, the films they talk about – Landis’s An American Werewolf in London, Carpenter’s The Thing, and Cronenberg’s Videodrome – would become celebrated signature works for all three directors. As they answer a series of questions, their explanations are both a glimpse behind the scenes of some 30-year-old classics, and serve as a retrospect on cinema culture at that time. With our current dependence on CGI, listening to the energetic Landis and the more reserved Carpenter elaborate on their films’ practical special effects – some of which made possible by the legendary Rick Baker – shows how we take advantage of a once lengthy process.
They also shed light on how censorship affects their oft-targeted genres – though it could be because Take One was done under studio pretenses, they all seem fairly favorable of the MPAA ratings system. The Canadian Cronenberg even defended the “imperfect” system by pointing that in his native country, filmmakers risk jail time for screening film deemed unsuitable for audiences by the government. Regardless, the video is a treat for any horror fan, and Cronenberg’s hair looks fantastic. Watch below: