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Butcher, Baker, Nightmare Maker

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6.6/10 • 141

1981-11-201h 36m

ThrillerHorror

She was lonely. He was all she had. No-one would take him from her - and live...

Rejected by her lover, the only man left in Cheryl's life is the orphaned nephew she has raised as her own son. She'll stop at nothing to keep Billy with her. When her plans misfire, she is swept up into an insane frenzy that means death to anyone who comes between her and her obsession. But the investigating detective is convinced that Billy is the real killer - and determined to prove it. Madness and fanaticism work together to drag all concerned into a terrifying vortex of blood-letting that adds a nightmarish twist to the classic Oedipus story.

Directors
William Asher
Editors
Ted Nicolaou

Top Billed Cast

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  1. Jimmy McNichol

    Jimmy McNichol

    Billy Lynch

  2. Susan Tyrrell

    Susan Tyrrell

    Aunt Cheryl

  3. Bo Svenson

    Bo Svenson

    Detective Joe Carlson

  4. Julia Duffy

    Julia Duffy

    Julie

  5. Marcia Lewis

    Marcia Lewis

    Margie

  6. Steve Eastin

    Steve Eastin

    Coach Tom Landers

  7. Britt Leach

    Britt Leach

    Sgt. Cook

  8. Caskey Swaim

    Caskey Swaim

    Phil Brody

  9. Cooper Neal

    Cooper Neal

    Frank

Reviews1

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Wuchak Avatar

Wuchak

Nov 23, 2024

6/10

A teen guy, his crazy aunt, Julia Duffy and Bo Svenson An orphan lives with his peculiar aunt (Jimmy McNichol and Susan Tyrrell) while seeking a basketball scholarship and pursuing a winsome blonde (Duffy). When someone ends up dead, it draws the attention of a narrow-minded detective (Svenson). The oddly titled "Butcher, Baker, Nightmare Maker" (1981) comes from the novel on which it was based. The author got it from the old rhyme about three men in a tub and, specifically, the line ‘The butcher, the baker, the candlestick maker.’ The flick’s also known as “Night Warning.” There are some bits reminiscent of “Psycho,” but it mixes in a lot of droll humor, which is genuinely amusing, not to mention politically incorrect (which works for me). The last act is over-the-top with hammy acting and loads of blood that influenced future movies like “Scream” and Tarantino films. Duffy is a highlight in her pre-Newhart days. She has a brief top nude scene (just a heads up). Some of the characters are kind of sketchy, so you have to read between the lines; the book provides details, if you want ’em. Bill Paxton has a side role as the protagonist’s rival at school. I suppose it’s a ‘bad move,’ but it’s entertaining enough as a throwaway flick. It runs 1 hour, 33 minutes, and was shot in Los Angeles. GRADE: B-/C+

Media

  • Butcher, Baker, Nightmare Maker poster
  • Butcher, Baker, Nightmare Maker poster
  • Butcher, Baker, Nightmare Maker poster
  • Butcher, Baker, Nightmare Maker poster
  • Butcher, Baker, Nightmare Maker poster
  • Butcher, Baker, Nightmare Maker poster
  • Butcher, Baker, Nightmare Maker poster
  • Butcher, Baker, Nightmare Maker poster
  • Butcher, Baker, Nightmare Maker poster

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Status
Released
Original Language
English
Budget
--
Revenue
--
Keywords
child abusejealousypolicehomophobiasexualityobsessiondetectivemanipulationauntcoachslasherorphanincestmental illnessvideo nastypsycho-sexual