Dark Night of the Scarecrow (1981)

You know they just don’t make TV movies like they used to.  This is a prime example of how cool they could be.  The story here surrounds a slow man named Bubba.  In spite of being in this 30s he has the mind of a child.  The fact that he pals around with a little girl bugs some of the locals.  When Bubba carries the little girl home injured they take it upon themselves to get some payback.  Bubba ends up hiding (not too well) in his mother’s field dressed like a scarecrow.  They find him and well it doesn’t end well for Bubba.  The men are later cleared of the killing, but it does them no good.  One by one they are picked off in accidents, all after seeing the scarecrow. 

Like I said this is one of those cool old made for television movies.  This one comes at the end of the golden age of these sorts of movies.  During the late ‘60s, ‘70s and early ‘80s they were really making some quality flicks for the small screen.  Because they couldn’t throw language, gore, and nudity at you they had to go old school.  Dark Night is a perfect example of this.  The story has some very creepy moments as the men are stalked by something unseen that is taking it’s revenge on them.  In fact it really isn’t until the last scene that you know what is really going on.  I won’t spoil that here, but it is a cool and satisfying end to the movie.  This sort of guessing and mystery is what keeps the movie interesting and fun to watch.  And even after you know what happens Dark Night of the Scarecrow has enough going for it that it holds up well on repeated viewing. 

Speaking of things holding up well the movie has a very good cast, as many of these TV productions did.  First up is old Bubba himself, Larry Drake.  I don’t know if the producers of L.A. Law saw this movie, but his character on that show is very similar to what he plays here.  While he makes an early exit he does set up Bubba as a sympathetic character, which comes into play later.  Also good in roles as the men who kill Bubba are TV vets Robert F. Lyons, and Claude Earl Jones.  I also think that this might be one of the late Lane Smith’s best roles in his long career.  At least it is one of my favorites.  But the gem here is the performance from Charles Durning, who gives a creepy turn as the ringleader of the killers and local postman Otis.  When I was younger I never picked up on the subtext to his character’s obsession on Bubba’s potential abuse of the young girl.  Though one of the other characters almost comes right out and says it! 

If I were to talk about the behind the camera technical stuff, and I am, I would have to say that it is solid work.  There is nothing terribly ground breaking or noteworthy about the movie.  But it is shot decently enough, the musical cues work to build some tension, and the lighting helps set the mood.  Again being a made for television movie there isn’t any real gore, so the kills are very tame.  So don’t go into this one expecting too much from the effects.  I will say the scarecrow is creepy looking and makes a wonderful killer.  Though it gets very little screen time, which is fine with me.  Having grown up out it in the sticks scarecrows have always kind of freaked me out.  Scary looking bastards…

The Blu-Ray that I watched for the review is from VCI, and they did a great job on it. The extras on the disc include a nifty CBS movie of the week intro that put me into a very nostalgic mood, and a nice commentary track with the director, Frank De Felitta, and writer J.D. Feigelson.  Exclusive to the Blu-Ray is a documentary about the making of the movie, and a Q & A with Feigelson, and star Larry Drake.  It is well worth checking out.

All in all this is a very satisfying release of a movie that I’ve always enjoyed.  It is also a perfect time for the Blu-Ray to finally show up with Halloween just around the corner.  Pick yourself up a copy and have some scary scarecrow inspired chills this year! 

3 ½ out of 4

reviewed by John Shatzer

© Copyright 2011 John Shatzer