Oldie-But-Goody-Review, Part 2: Mortuary (Special Edition)

Text © Richard Gary / Indie Horror Films, 2021
Images from the Internet

Mortuary
Directed by Howard Avedis (d. 2017)
Hickmar Productions; Scorpion Releasing; Multicom Entertainment; MVD Rewind Collection
93 minutes, 1983 / 2021
www.MVDVisual.com

This reissue has an interesting aspect for me: from the mid-1960s to the early 1980s, Lynda Day George and Christopher George were the television golden couple. It seemed like they were in everything either apart or together in the likes of “Mission Impossible” (Lynda) and “The Rat Patrol” (Christopher), but not after this film, as it was Christopher’s last role before his sudden death in 1983. Ironically, over the years, their importance faded enough that even though they are among the leads of this film, their names don’t even appear on the cover of the Blu-ray (and DVD). Sure, they were secondary to the three main characters, but their names should be there under the others, as most likely they were a large draw for the original release. Instead, they list Mary McDonough (she played Erin on “The Waltons”), Bill Paxton (1986’s Aliens, 1987’s Near Dark; d. 2017) in an early starring role, and David Wallace (aka David Wysocki, who appeared in numerous soaps).

Now, after that pondering, let’s examine the film. I saw it in the theater when it first came out, but I have no memory of it, so it’s like watching it new, which makes me happy.

David Wallace, Mary McDonough

We are introduced to tall and lanky Greg (Wallace) first, as he and his friend Josh (Denis Mandel, who played the recurring character Eugene in the post-shark jumping, no Richie “Happy Days”) visit the mortuary warehouse, where Josh worked, to steal some tires. There they see a “séance” (looking more like a cult with long, hooded black gowns) led by mortuary owner Hank (Christopher George). Of course, being that time in our culture and the genre, the leader is a man, and the rest of the following coven is all women. Let the social commentary by the readers commence.

This brings Greg to hang out with his sleepwalking girlfriend and star of the film, Christie (McDonough). Just to date the film, part of the first act takes place at a roller rink (the subtitles say “roller ring,” that’s how long ago it is that whoever did the captions did not know better). Classic imagery, with women in short-shorts and tank tops skating around in circles, just for the film’s teenage boy demographics. Even McDonough gets to wear some flimsy clothing when she’s not decked out in top ‘80’s fashion, like pink loose pants and a matching sweater tied around her neck. She lives in a huge house right on the ocean with her widowed and gaslighting mom, Eve (Lynda Day George). To add to it all, nerd and perky Paul (Paxton), son of Hank, has a thing for Christie. They are college students, I am assuming, as part of this was filmed at California State University Northridge.

Bill Paxton

Of note, there are two interesting cameos here, both as Greg’s parents. First, there’s his mom, played by Marlene Schmidt, who has appeared in most of director Avedis’ films. His dad is portrayed by the legendary Hank Kimball…I mean Alvy Moore (d. 1997). He’s almost unrecognizable, but at the same time, easy to spot by his physical mannerisms, and especially that amazing voice and syntax.

Meanwhile someone mysterious has been following both Greg and especially Christie, dressed in white make-up that looks a lot like Pazuzu from The Exorcist (1973). It isn’t hard to figure out who he/the killer is; I figured it out in the first 10 minutes. But will the Sheriff (Bill Conklin) listen to the teens about smug Hank and crew? I am sure you have seen enough of genre films to be able to answer that yourself; it seems pretty damn obvious.

Lynda Day George, Christopher George

There is also a fine level of humor (though I would not refer to this as a comedy), such as one person looking to buy a casket, saying to her husband, “Honey, I don’t think you’re going to be comfortable in this one.”

The blood and gore SFX are nicely done and plentiful, relatively, though a small body count considering the slashers of the day, but they manage to add some effects in other ways. There is also a lot of typical tight or wet clothing and cleavage (including the two female leads), along with a fair bit of nudity (though McDonough uses a body double with different colored hair; did I mention she was in “The Waltons”?)

McDonough, George

I do have some questions, such as if a group is holding a séance in a mortuary after hours, why isn’t the front door locked? Of course, this could be said about any business, and not just ones doing occult stuff. And if you just saw someone close to you in a cult setting, would you go home and have carnal relations in a laughing, calm manner, for a while?

Anyway, the film is shot really well, with some fine editing to enhance the action. The cast is, needless to say, lovely to look at for all genders, and the acting is, well, considering most of the cast comes from the television world, that type, especially from the time period.

 

Pazuzu wannabe?

Even with an obvious villain, there are still surprises here and there, and numerous jump scares that I enjoyed. This is considered a minor classic, and it’s easy to understand why. Lots of hallmarks are here, like walking down dark hallways. One thing missing is a shower scene. That being said, one unusual take is that the friends of the leads are inconsequential and merely there as comic relief, appearing exceedingly sparingly, with the film mainly focusing on the five leads. That was a nifty and unexpected turn of events.

Extras on the Blu-ray are that the film is in HD (1080p) from the original internegative, and audio choices. Also, there is an English subtitles option, and interview with the composer, John Cacavas (unwatched by me), and a mini-poster in the clamshell. Added is a bunch of MVD Rewind trailers including the original one for this film and Tobe Hooper’s Mortuary (2005) that deals with zombies rather than a slasher, among others.

For the director, Howard Avedis (d. 2017), this was his first forage into horror. Before, he was known mainly as an exploitation/sexploitation filmmaker, with such classics as The Specialist (1972, with Adam West), Dr. Minx (1975, with Edy Williams), and especially The Teacher (1974, with Jay North and the underrated Angel Tompkins). The previous experience of these low budget action releases prepared him well for Mortuary, to make it a product of which to be proud.

Be forewarned, the trailer gives too much away. If you haven’t seen the film yet, watch it at your own risk.