- Director : Robert Deubel
- Actors : Julia Montgomery, Hal Holbrook, James Carroll, Rutanya Alda
- Media Format : NTSC, Widescreen
- Run time : 1 hour and 36 minutes
- Studio : Arrow Video
- MPAA rating : R (Restricted)
- Country of Origin : USA
- Number of discs : 1
- Release date : May 17, 2022
After multiple title changes, even following an
initial release as The Scaremaker in 1982, the college-set slasher Girls Nite
Out was released in 1983 with questionable grammar. The intention to mislead
audiences into believing the horror film was full of sexually explicit content
was clear, though Girls Nite Out is actually quite tame for the genre. Although
the film’s resistance to exploiting the bodies of its young female stars can be
commended, the mildness of the slasher violence is likely to disappoint.
Directed by
Robert Deubel, Girls Nite Out follows a group of college coeds who are hunted
by a killer dressed in the school’s bear mascot costume during a scavenger hunt
on campus. Though the film begins with psychiatric patient Dickie Cavanaugh committing
suicide in a mental institution, the film suggests his involvements in the
murders. This is not a supernatural narrative, however, and there is another
answer beneath the bear’s mask worn by the killer.
Girls Nite Out
begins slow, attempting to draw the audience in with the young adult characters
and the drama of their relationships before the killings truly begin. After the
basketball team of DeWitt University wins their championship game, they
celebrate at a party where couples bicker and flirt with infidelity. The
audience is introduced to an ensemble of characters, none of which are likeable
enough to forgive their casual immorality. There is partner-swapping among the
disloyal young adults, resulting in drunken arguments and a few suggested sexual
encounters, though nothing explicitly seen.
The young adult
characters are so unlikable and bland, it is difficult to care much about their
relationship drama. It mostly serves as filler in-between the murder sequences,
which are also fairly bland and forgettable. Even the inclusion of actor Hal
Holbrook as campus security guard Jim MacVey is unfortunately wasted. Build up
to the final twist reveal seems to be the primary focus of the film, though there
are a couple memorable moments along the way. The best is the killer’s
repurposing of the mascot costume into a deadly weapon, with a fist full of
knives which preceded Freddy Krueger.
The Limited
Edition Blu-ray release for Girls Nite Out from Arrow Films contains a brand
new 2K restoration from 35mm vault elements, though there is a great deal of
static and degradation in the image. This may be the best available version of
the early ‘80s slasher, but it is far from pristine. The film also has the original
uncompressed mono audio soundtrack and comes with new artwork for the limited
edition packaging. A reversible sleeve features newly-commissioned artwork by
Justin Osbourn, as well as an original film poster on the opposite side. The
collection also comes with a booklet insert featuring photos and an essay by
Michael Gingold on the film.
Additional Special Features:
- Optional
English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
- Brand
new audio commentary with genre film critic/author Justin Kerswell and
film historian/author Amanda Reyes
- Staying
Alive – a
brand new video interview with actress Julia Montgomery
- A
Savage Mauling –
a brand new video interview with actress Laura Summer
- Alone
in the Dark –
a brand new video interview with actress Lois Robbins
- It
Was a Party! –
a brand new video interview with actor Paul Christie
- Love
& Death –
a brand new video interview with actors Lauren-Marie Taylor and John
Didrichsen
- Archival
video interview with actress Julia Montgomery
- The
Scaremaker Alternate
Title Card
- Original
Trailers
Entertainment Value:
3.5/10
Quality of
Filmmaking: 4/10
Historical
Significance: 3/10
Special Features: 8/10
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