TMT: Hell to Pay…
This is the next entry in a Theatre… a Movie… and a Time, a series that was begun here. Continuing with memories of films tailor-made for Halloween viewing, or just plain nightmare, I’ll look on an inaugural film work by an author that once captured my interest. Morgan looked at it recently. Another noted horror novelist, in fact, had clued me in before ever seeing the results of his directorial debut.
“I have seen the future of horror, his name is Clive Barker.” ~ Stephen King, quoted for the cover of Books of Blood
Theatre
Images c/o Cinema Treasures site
Movie
Time
September 19, 1987: Almost five years. Had it been that long since the time I went to a Halloween movie by myself? Surely not. Life, though, offers up peculiar retorts to whatever going on. To how things used to be, too. Like when I could eat any kind of food without my stomach heaving with rancorous indigestion. The body telling me in unsubtle terms, “You’re not a kid anymore.”
Doctors now expounded on what I could or, more importantly, could not eat. Shining a light on the new chink in the armor. Things would be different from this point forward.
Unbeknownst to moi, I had entered the last of my ‘interesting times’ period. She-whose-name-must-not-be-mentioned and I settled into a new phase. Separate. I spent more time with physicians figuring out why my gut was at war with its possessor than the nurse I’d once lived with. Dorothy Parker phrased it right, “What fresh hell is this?” Each and every day.
Might as well go to a horror movie in a vain attempt to distract myself from current disarray. After discovering I was allergic to a certain antiemetic drug. Compazine. All care of my latest ER visit the night before. The telltale sign, as explained to me by medical professionals in due course, being the hyper-anxious, bouncing-off-the-walls state I found myself in that Saturday.
Went like this in my head, somewhat disjointedly, mind you:
HMM…WHAT’S PLAYING?!?
Menso: Spanish, meaning stupid or foolish — used often by my grandmother when she spoke in that irritated tone when I got myself into trouble.
CHECK THE PAPER, MENSO!
HELLRAISER, AT THE Village Theatre IN WESTWOOD JUST OPENED!
FINE!
CAR…I CAN DRIVE MY LONESOME TO THE MATINEE SHOWING…REALLY!
LOOK…HARDLY ANYONE ELSE IN THE CAVERNOUS MOVIE PALACE WITH ME!
IDEAL…WHO YOU TALKING TO?!?
I’M BARELY MANAGING TO STAY IN MY SEAT…AND YOU’RE COMPLAINING!
START THE MOVIE FOR CHRISSAKES!!!
They did. The experience and the film left lasting marks upon me. I do remember the woman wincing two rows in front of me with her boyfriend, though. She finally uttered an audible shriek near the end of the movie. When Frank offered up his last pain-filled words onscreen:
“Jesus wept.”
How apt.
The entire TMT series can be found here. If you’re interested how it’s put together, click here.
It Rains... You Get Wet 
14 Responses to “TMT: Hell to Pay…”
Great post, and what a beautiful theater! 🙂
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Yeah, that certainly is one of the beautiful, classically styled movie palaces left around these parts. The Village Theatre, from time-to-time, is still the site of movie premieres. Large, with a beautiful balcony, it has yet to succumb to some god-awful, shortsighted ‘renovation’. Hope it stays that way.
Many thanks, Fernando.
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You’re welcome. Hope it stays that way too.
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Goodness me, that Village Theatre is gorgeous!! As for this movie, I always think of that guy as acupuncture gone horribly wrong 😀
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Oh, yes! Acupunture with fish hooks being the rage back in the late-80s ;-). Of course, it’d just be another method of piercing for today’s crowd :-).
I didn’t think this was a film you had seen, Ruth. Thanks for the read and comment, my friend.
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Oh I haven’t seen it, just the trailer. But even just seeing a photo made me think of that, acupuncture from hell, ahah.
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It’s not a film you’d likely enjoy, Ruth. The horror elements are quite strong and visceral. Though, it was some film debut for the novelist at the time. Thanks again, Ruth.
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Oh, and the Village Theatre still is a gorgeous, old-style movie theater. It’s worth seeing.
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Im so jealous you have had all these experiences with film. I missed all the classics until vhs/dvd etc, BUT next week on Halloween I’m going to our local art house cinema to watch The Shining on the big screen. Cannot wait 🙂
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Oh, that should be somethin’, Tyson. I hope read about the experience with The Shining in a crowded, dark hall, my friend. Many thanks 🙂
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It seats 50 people, all on relaxing sofas and recliner chairs. Very small and intimate, but a huge screen. Early morning 11 am showing so hopefully I’ll get a seat. Ill be sure to take photos 🙂
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Sounds like it’ll be awesome :-).
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OK, I can see how this film might make more of an impression while stoned out on a bad drug reaction. 😀
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Yeah, it topped off the film screening with that something extra 😉 Thanks, Morgan.
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