"But I heard him exclaim as he drove out of sight, 'Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.'" a demented Santa Claus merrily cheers as he drives his sleigh covered van into the X-Mas night sky for the forgotten Yuletide classic, CHRISTMAS EVIL. Christopher G. Moore is joined by co-host, Doc Rotten, and special guest-host, Chad Lab, to discuss a holiday horror film that tackles the slaughtering Santa less like a slasher and more like a tragic character study. I guess it's coal for everyone!
Decades of Horror 1980s
Episode 143 – Christmas Evil (1980)
What better way to celebrate the holiday season than to consume the season psychotic slasher film of festive fear and crimson cheer. What's surprising is how Christmas Evil treats its lead villain, Brandon Maggart as Harry, a demented, blood-thirsty Santa. The film examines the motivation behind Harry's fall into uncontrollable and deadly fantasy with purpose and care, wrapping his demise in a bow of horror and spurts of splatter.
Perhaps the best way to enjoy Christmas Evil is to consider the film as being told by Harry, who is an unreliable narrator. How else to explain some of the bizarre experiences in the film, including but not limited to a mob of torch-wielding villagers and a skyward flight toward the Christmas sky. Christopher, Doc, and Chad take a long look at a forgotten and often overlooked entry into X-Mas horror films.
A toy factory worker, mentally scarred as a child upon learning Santa Claus is not real, suffers a nervous breakdown after being belittled at work, and embarks on a Yuletide killing spree.