SLEEPAWAY CAMP (1983) – Episode 219 – Decades Of Horror 1980s

“Eat shit and die, Ricky!” “Eat shit and live, Bill.” Yup. Sounds like your typical summer camp version of witty patter. Join your faithful Grue-Crew – Chad Hunt, Bill Mulligan, Crystal Cleveland, and Jeff Mohr  – as they finally cover the notorious Sleepaway Camp (1983).

Decades of Horror 1980s
Episode 219 – Sleepaway Camp (1983)

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Angela Baker, a shy, traumatized young girl, is sent to summer camp with her cousin. Shortly after her arrival, anyone with sinister or less-than-honorable intentions toward her gets their comeuppance.

 

• Writer/Director: Robert Hiltzik 
• Makeup Department: Ed French (makeup illusions)(as Edward French)
• Special Effects: 
  • William Bilowit (special effects coordinator)(as Bill Billowit)
  • Ed Fountain (special mechanical effects)
• Selected Cast:
  • Felissa Rose as Angela / Peter Baker
  • Maximo Gianfranco Sorrentino (credited as Frank Sorrentino) as Young Peter
  • Colette Lee Corcoran as young Angela
  • Jonathan Tiersten as Ricky Thomas
  • Karen Fields as Judy
  • Christopher Collet as Paul
  • Mike Kellin as Mel Costic
  • Katherine Kamhi as Meg
  • Paul DeAngelo as Ronnie Angelo
  • Susan Glaze as Susie
  • Thomas E. van Dell as Mike
  • Loris Sallahain (credited as Loris Sallahian) as Billy
  • John E. Dunn as Kenny
  • Willy Kuskin as Mozart
  • Desiree Gould as Aunt Martha Thomas
  • Owen Hughes as Artie
  • Robert Earl Jones as Ben
  • Frank Trent Saladino as Gene
  • Rick Edrich as Jeff
  • Fred Greene as Eddie
  • Allen Breton as Frank the Cop
  • Lisa Buckler as Leslie
  • Michael C. Mahon as Hal
  • Dan Tursi as John Baker
  • James Paradise as Lenny
  • Paul Poland as Craig
  • Alyson Mord as Mary Ann
  • Carol Robinson Alexander (credited as Carol Robinson) as Dolores

Sleepaway Camp is one of Crystal’s favorite movies. In fact, she loves it right from the opening scene depicting a boating accident and describes the film as intentionally funny. She loves Desiree Gould as Angela’s Aunt Martha and the two camp snarks, Judy and Meg. She also issues the caveat that you shouldn’t watch it if you’re not open to some politically incorrect attempts at humor.

Chad differs from Crystal and does not think Sleepaway Camp is intended to be funny, but he does think it’s an okay slasher with good makeup effects. Bill went in with low expectations but was pleasantly surprised by Sleepaway Camp, calling it a slice of 80s cheese. Back in the day, Jeff heard the rumors about Sleepaway Camp and its shocking ending so he rented the video to verify it for himself, and indeed, the rumors were true. He was shocked. Now he enjoys the film, its appropriately juvenile humor, and its inventive kills.

It might go without saying but it will be said nonetheless. The 80s Grue Crew unanimously loves Felissa Rose. 

At the time of this writing, Sleepaway Camp can be streamed from Peacock and several ad-based services. A Blu-ray disc is available from Scream! Factory.

Every two weeks, Gruesome Magazine’s Decades of Horror 1980s podcast will cover another horror film from the 1980s. The next episode’s film, chosen by Chad, will be Akira (1988), a “Japanese animated cyberpunk action film directed by Katsuhiro Otomo, … based on Otomo’s 1982 manga of the same name,” according to Wikipedia

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