Trick or Treat (1986 film)

Trick or Treat
Company type	Film
Industry	Motion picture
Founded	1986
Founder	Charles Martin Smith (director)
Products	Supernatural slasher film
Parent	De Laurentiis Entertainment Group

Trick or Treat—also released internationally under the titles Ragman and Death at 33 RPM—is a 1986 American supernatural slasher feature marking the directorial debut of Charles Martin Smith. Produced by De Laurentiis Entertainment Group, the film stars Marc Price alongside Tony Fields, with notable appearances by Gene Simmons and Ozzy Osbourne, who makes his first film appearance.

The narrative centers on a marginalized metal enthusiast teenager who becomes haunted by the spirit of his rock music hero. Although the film received mixed critiques upon release, it has since developed a dedicated cult audience.

Plot

Eddie "Ragman" Weinbauer is a metal-loving outsider at Lakeridge High, frequently tormented by a group of athletes led by Tim Hainey. Eddie reveres Sammi Curr, a rebellious rock musician and former student banned from performing at the school's Halloween dance. After learning about Sammi’s enigmatic death, Eddie’s friend Nuke—a radio DJ and Sammi’s ex-classmate—provides him with the master acetate of Sammi’s unreleased album Songs in the Key of Death, which Nuke transferred onto reel-to-reel tape for a special midnight Halloween broadcast, honoring Sammi’s last wishes.

When Eddie plays the record in reverse, he hears Sammi’s ghost urging him to exact vengeance on his tormentors, reflecting the abuse Sammi endured in his own past. What begins as empowerment soon escalates into deadly retribution. When Sammi sets his sights on Leslie, the girl both Eddie and Tim care about, Eddie attempts to sever their connection by destroying the record and audio equipment. However, Sammi manifests physically, escaping through sound systems and radio waves to continue his vendetta.

Eddie enlists Roger to retrieve a tape copy left in Tim’s vehicle. Instead of destroying it as instructed, Roger plays the tape, summoning Sammi who demands that the album be played at the Halloween dance under threat of fatal consequences. At the event, Sammi replaces the live band’s vocalist and performs to an initially enthusiastic audience before unleashing deadly electric attacks.

Upon hearing the music during a phone call, Eddie rushes to protect Leslie. He confronts Tim, but Sammi kills Tim first. Roger cuts the power to temporarily stop Sammi while Eddie and Leslie flee to the radio station. They discover that water weakens Sammi’s electrified form. Eddie lures Sammi into the grille of a stolen police car while Leslie destroys the remaining tapes at the station. Eddie then drives off an incomplete bridge into a river, finally destroying Sammi for good.

Cast

Marc Price as Eddie Weinbauer
Tony Fields as Sammi Curr
Lisa Orgolini as Leslie Graham
Doug Savant as Tim Hainey
Elaine Joyce as Angie Weinbauer, Eddie's Mother
Glen Morgan as Roger Mockus
Clare Torao as Maggie Wong-Hernandez (credited as Clare Nono)
Gene Simmons as Nuke
Ozzy Osbourne as Rev. Aaron Gilstrom
Alice Nunn as Mrs. Sylvia Cavell (cameo)
Charles Martin Smith as Mr. Wimbley (cameo)

Production

Blackie Lawless from W.A.S.P. was originally cast to portray Sammi Curr. In contrast, Ozzy Osbourne appears in the role of a televangelist who opposes heavy metal music. A fictional movie titled Lunch of the Dead is displayed on a cinema marquee, created by the props team.

The special effects were designed by Kevin Yagher, recognized for his work on Freddy Krueger and HBO's Tales from the Crypt. Yagher also makes a cameo as lead singer and guitarist for The Kickers during the high school Halloween dance sequence.

Scenes set at the fictional Lakeridge High School were filmed at both Hoggard High School and New Hanover High School, located in Wilmington, North Carolina.

Keanu Reeves auditioned for the role of Eddie Weinbauer; however, it was ultimately awarded to Marc Price. Gene Simmons declined to play Sammi Curr due to concerns about the script but accepted a cameo role as radio DJ Nuke, drawing inspiration from his childhood idol Wolfman Jack.

The fictional album Songs in the Key of Death by Sammi Curr serves as a nod to Stevie Wonder's 1976 release Songs in the Key of Life.

Soundtrack

The entire musical score for Sammi Curr was created through a collaboration between the band Fastway and composer Christopher Young. During a scene featuring a stack of records, albums from bands such as Megadeth, Impaler, Exciter, Possessed, and Savatage can be seen. Eddie's room is adorned with posters showcasing groups like Judas Priest, Anthrax, Raven, Twisted Sister, Mötley Crüe, WASP (band), Ozzy Osbourne, Poison, and KISS. Additionally, images of bands such as Lizzy Borden and Motörhead appear on locker decorations.

Christopher Young, who co-composed the music, went on to compose scores for films including Hellraiser, The Gift, Urban Legend, Ghost Rider, Spider-Man 3, and Drag Me to Hell.

Release

The movie premiered in theaters across the United States on October 24, 1986, distributed by De Laurentiis Entertainment Group, earning $6.8 million at the box office. The following year, it became available on VHS via Lorimar Home Video.

In 2002, the film was released on DVD in the U.S. by Platinum Disc Corporation. A distinguished collector's edition appeared in 2014 through NSM Records in Germany, consisting of three discs: an all-region Blu-ray, a region 2 DVD, a soundtrack CD, and an accompanying booklet housed in digibook packaging. This limited release was capped at 1,500 copies, divided between two different cover designs.

Reception

Trick or Treat garnered mixed critical responses and currently holds a 70% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 10 reviews.

External links