After working for Paramount and Warner Bros., Irwin Yablans decided to get into producing and distributing his own films. In 1976, he founded Compass International Pictures with Joseph Wolf, and they scored big with the release of 1978’s Halloween. While thinking of his next project, he thought of the idea of a movie nerd being pushed over the limits. Yablans hired writer/director Vernon Zimmerman, who was invested in the project, though he and Yablans butted heads at times. For the lead role, they hired Dennis Christopher, who recently earned a Golden Globe nomination for 1979’s Breaking Away. Australian actress Linda Kerridge was also cast for the female lead due to her resemblance to Marilyn Monroe. Unfortunately, the film was plagued with production issues from a grueling schedule to clashing ideologies between Zimmerman and Yablans. Finally, in October of 1980, Fade to Black was given a limited theatrical release.
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Synopsis
Eric Binford (Dennis Christopher) is a shy, awkward guy who’s obsessed with movies and works for a film distribution warehouse. He lives with his overbearing Aunt Stella (Eve Brent Ashe), who chastises him for his obsession and poor health. He’s bullied by coworkers Bart (Hennen Chambers) and Richie (Mickey Rourke) and hassled by his boss Mr. Berger (Norman Burton). One day, he meets Australian model Marilyn O’Connor (Linda Kerridge) and becomes infatuated with her since she resembles Marilyn Monroe. They agree to go out one night, but after she accidentally stands him up, Eric starts going crazy. He dresses up as his favorite movie characters – Dracula, The Mummy, Hopalong Cassidy, and Cody Jarrett – and starts killing people. Meanwhile, criminal psychologist Dr. Jerry Moriarty (Tim Thomerson) is trying to find Eric and hopefully help him with his psychosis. Unfortunately, Eric might be too far gone to be saved.
Review
Fade to Black works as both a horror film and a deep character study of a man tormented by obsession. Dennis Christopher is outstanding as Eric Binford, expertly making the character creepy and terrifying, yet oddly sympathetic and likable. While the film doesn’t glorify the things he does, it shows how a man plagued with obsession can grow insane. It helps that Christopher was dedicated to the material, wanting to expand his character and committing fully to the role. Tim Thomerson is hilarious as Dr. Moriarty, though he’s able to get serious when needed and has plenty of charisma. Linda Kerridge, on top of her good looks and resemblance to Marilyn Monroe, does a great job acting opposite Christopher. You get the feeling that she genuinely cared for Eric and wanted to help him, which makes their romance tragic. Also, a then relatively unknown Mickey Rourke gives a solid performance.
Regardless of the behind-the-scenes issues, Vernon Zimmerman does a great job behind the camera, giving scenes a dark, dreamlike quality. When Eric dons his costumes and kills those who’ve wronged him, it’s shot like a movie the character came from. There are also times where they use clips from films like Horror of Dracula and White Heat to great effect. Craig Safan’s score adds a somewhat chaotic yet beautiful feel to the film that goes along with the material. Admittedly, the film can get somewhat predictable, since you know what’ll happen once Eric sports a certain costume. Also, certain plot points either go nowhere, seem thrown in at the last minute, or aren’t fully fleshed out. Regardless, this is still an effective horror-thriller and a fascinating character study that acts as a send-up of old Hollywood. Overall, Fade to Black is a hidden gem that deserves to be rediscovered.
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