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Lewis Jackson's Christmas Evil (You Better Watch Out) (1980)
Tied with To All a Goodnight for the title of first killer Santa film, Lewis Jackson's first-rate 1980 black comedy/suspense film You Better Watch Out (which, in an effort to find a wider audience was also released on video as Terror in Toyland as well as under its best-known moniker Christmas Evil) is NOT -- I repeat, NOT a slasher film! It's the kind of film that works best if you watch it with absolutely no preconceived notions, allowing yourself to become engrossed in the schizophrenic world of the movie's tragic anti-hero Harry Stadling (brilliantly underplayed by Brandon Maggart), a child trapped in a man's body who doesn't just believe in Santa Claus -- he thinks he is jolly old St. Nick himself. Year round, Harry starts each and every day by playing Christmas jingles from his 45 player, dancing blissfully around his Christmas-decorated apartment in red Santa cap and pajamas. He even keeps a written record of the good and bad children in the neighborhood, spying on them during his free hours with binoculars and documenting their behavior on their own individual page in his archive, which includes marking naughty Moss Garcia's already filled up page with "impure thoughts" and "negative body hygiene" when he spies the tyke cutting nudes out of a Penthouse magazine.
Fittingly enough, Harry works in a toy factory where he has just been promoted from assembly line worker to a cushy desk job in the office shortly before you-know-what time of year. Harry misses the joy of making toys by hand now that he's landed the more prestigous but unfulfilling new job and, after being conned into working a double shift on the assembly line by a lecherous coworker, begins to really unwind, sneaking out at night to play pranks on naughty children in the neighborhood like Moss Garcia, even spying nervously on his younger brother Phil (well-played by Jeffrey DeMunn of The Hitcher) and his wife Jackie (lovely Dianne Hull) having sex through the windows of their comfortable suburban home. Harry himself is essentially impotent, perceiving himself as a sexless character who upholds "righteousness," so voyeurism is his only available sexual outlet. Keep in mind that Harry's emotional problems were ignited after an incident as a child (which is featured in the film's prologue) during which he saw his mother and his father, dressed in full Santa suit and beard, stripping each other of their clothing and fondling each other. Young Harry, convinced that the man feeling up his mother is not his father but Santa Claus, is shocked and confused by his role model's behavior and, as a result, takes on the role of Santa Claus himself in order to live out his own ideal of St. Nick.
I imagine another reason Harry spies on Phil and Jackie is to get a glimpse of what a so-called "normal" married life is like, having never had one himself and being incapable of one. Phil has always given Harry a hard time about his emotional handicaps in general, particularly at Christmas, and it's made clear that Phil considers his older brother a loser, "an emotional cripple," and a disappointment as a role model -- which no doubt makes Harry all the more willing to embrace his fantasy life as Kris Kringle. Jackie is sympathetic to her "emotionally crippled" brother-in-law and tries to convince Phil to take it easy on Harry and not deride him when he shows up for Christmas dinner, but when Harry calls to let them know he won't be able to attend (after all, Santa Claus has a very busy schedule on the 25th!), Phil starts to worry about his brother's mental health even more and fears the worst.
When Christmas Eve finally does arrive, anything but an ordinary slasher film occurs, and this is where the film really breaks apart from its splatter film kin and becomes something more, something that truly creates and stays true to a unique world of its own. Rather than pick up the nearest axe and start hacking away at every nearby naked teenager, Harry -- after transforming himself physically into Santa via red suit, fake beard and Krazy Glue -- diligently sets upon accomplishing his most important and beloved task: Rewarding not only the good children on his list with gifts but donating a van full of handmade toys to the orphans at the local shelter (an amazing scene thanks to Maggart's great performance).
After that is a haunting journey through the night during which Harry finds himself in one odd, darkly comic situation after another, occasionally horrifying (the scene where Harry retaliates against a crowd of taunting churchgoers with an axe, for instance), usually haunting (that fabulous scene wherein Harry/Santa is dragged into an indoor Christmas party and ends up dancing and drinking wine), always entertaining and original, and with one of the quirkiest, most misunderstood endings thematically that I've seen in any Christmas horror film before or since -- "And I heard him exclaim as I drove out of sight...Merry Christmas to all, and to all a goodnight!" Just classic, very unexpected, and I'll leave it at that without spoiling any more about it for those who haven't seen the film.
Christmas Evil is a film that many will hate, but many will love. There's no other way to put it. My best advice for those wanting to see something a bit different, a bit more creative and a bit more restrained gore-and-guts-wise than the norm is to seek out Christmas Evil. Love it or hate it, it has no true equal in the history of cinema and is what I'd call a classy folk horror tale as opposed to a slasher, and I rate it a well-earned 9 of 10.
About the Author
Thank you so much for taking the time to visit my review of Christmas Evil, which can also be found at its original page http://christmasevil80.blogspot.com. Please visit my profile at http://www.blogger.com/profile/17200139233458760872 for my other in-depth reviews of classic horror films!
John Lewis assessment day for call centre, Glasgow?
I applied for a job as a call handler at a new call centre in Hamilton and i got through to the assessment stage of the process. Could anybody give me some useful advice or experience on what to expect on the day. Its 3 hours long!!
Thank you all!!!!!
I'm going to this too! Tomorrow?
I have no idea what to expect!
Day Lewis Jobs
GO KARTS GONE WRONG (6.15.10 - Day 411)
Top 5 Jobs for Gay Professionals in 2011
A list of "hot jobs" for gay people is inherently a bit different than a top job list for the rest of the population. While gay professionals can do any job in the world, there are certain professions that allow gay people to make not only a good income, but also to truly make a difference in the world and in the lives of other gay people. The top 5 hot jobs for gays today include:
Physician Assistant: With the constant growth in the health care field, this is a career that can boast of great job security. The salary is so high that many people are amazed to hear that a physician's assistant can make as much as some business executives. The salary can hover around $80,000 to $120,000 yearly and requires a Bachelor's degree and a Master's degree. Some gay and lesbian friendly specialties include men's or women's health or HIV management, giving an excellent opportunity to serve others while you make great income.
Journalists: Journalists may be overlooked at times, but they are actually artists of words - and the creative and open minded people in this industry tend to reflect that fact: it is a very gay friendly environment. The average journalist today makes about $40,000 to $80,000 a year and has a chance to change the world with his words every day - a winning job in several ways!
Lawyers: The legal profession can be a challenge to enter (law school and college mean seven years of education) but it is very lucrative and allows more opportunity for making a positive impact than most other jobs do. The average attorney today will make around $70,000 to $120,000 and sometimes much more. A gay lawyer can fight for the rights of other gays and truly be an asset to the entire lgbt community.
Optometrist: Another medical field choice that offers great income: Normally about $90,000 to $120,000 yearly. An optometrist does have to obtain a Doctor Of Optometry degree, which normally takes four years, along with a Bachelor's degree. The hours are often quite reasonable since many optometrists open their own practice or partnership - It's one of the least stressful medical jobs since it allows you to chart your own course. An optometrist can focus their practice on the lgbt community, which means helping people close to your heart while pulling in a healthy income.
Web Programmer/Web Developer: This may be the lowest paying option on our list at about $30,000 to $50,000 yearly but this job has major benefits. You can often set your own hours, and work for progressive employers like google, which helps ensure you will have workplace equality. Passionate and creative types can really excel in this field.
No matter which of the hot jobs you are interested in, you have probably noticed one thing all these jobs have in common: You will be treated with respect, and be able to advocate and really make a difference for the gay community. Most gay professionals online have trouble finding other people with whom they share much in common. Regardless of your profession, when you meet gay professionals just like yourself it can make you feel like you're not alone. To get in contact with other dedicated, innovative and passionate gay professionals, visit the site created especially with you in mind: www.meetgayprofessionals.com. Whether you're seeking romance, friendship, or just someone to talk to, this is best place to meet the biggest community of gay professionals today.
About the Author
Owner and creator of www.meetgayprofessionals.com