Review #189: 'The Funhouse' (1981)

Another bizarre entry onto the list of video nasties, one can only assume it was guilty by association. Directed by Tobe Hooper of Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974) fame, whilst that film was not on the nasties list, it certainly impacted in the hearts and minds of any "respectable" censor. This entry did not spend much time in banned status, as it was released uncut in 1987, and was later reinstated with a 15 certificate in the early part of the "noughties". It is very difficult to see why (outside of my own speculation of director association) this film was even considered by the DPP, as it has not one element of horror or gore, or any kind of overtly "nasty" elements.

The narrative involves itself with four teenagers, Amy (Elizzabeth Berridge), Buzz (Cooper Huckabee), Liz (Largo Woodruff) and Richie (Miles Chapin), are on double dates to a local traveling carnival. They decide to stay the night in the funhouse. There they witness the murder of the carnivals fortune teller, by the deformed, retarded son of the owner. After Richie steals some money from the kitty, their presence is signaled. So proceeds a standard stalk-and-slash style climax.

Released at a time when there was practically a new slasher film released each week, The Funhouse shares more narrative ideas with The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, than the majority of the slasher films, that were using Halloween (1978) as their template. This film is stylistically similar to Halloween, not using the more gritty, haphazardness of Chain Saw, it's cinematography almost replicating that Carpenter widescreen classiness. But the carnie "family" are closer to those Texans (replete with it's own Leatherface), than the lone figure so prevalent between 1978 and 1984. The film is pretty low on scares, but does pass by it's 90 minutes relatively quickly. This is not to say it's a terrible film. It certainly is better than much of the sub-genres output. But it's still a shame that Hooper was never able to recapture the excellence of his first feature. Something he has still yet to top.


Directed by: Tobe Hooper
Starring: Elizabeth Berridge, Shawn Carson, Jeanne Austin
Country: USA

Rating: ***

Marc Ivamy