Sunday, August 30, 2015

Wes Craven

All of us have our individual curses, something that we are uncomfortable with and something that we have to deal with, like me making horror films, perhaps.
- Wes Craven
Wesley Earl "WesCraven
August 2, 1939 – August 30, 2015

Wes Craven died today of brain cancer at his home in Los Angeles. He was 76 years old. This film director, writer, producer, and actor known for his work on horror films, particularly slasher films. He was best known for creating the A Nightmare on Elm Street franchise featuring the Freddy Krueger character, directed the first installment and Wes Craven's New Nightmare, and also co-wrote A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors with Bruce Wagner. Craven also directed the entire Scream series featuring Ghostface. Some of his other films include The Hills Have EyesThe Last House on the LeftThe Serpent and the RainbowThe People Under the StairsVampire in BrooklynCursedRed Eye and My Soul to Take.

Mr. Craven lent his talents to the small screen too.

Freddy's Nightmares (full title: Freddy's Nightmares: A Nightmare on Elm Street: The Series) is an American horror anthology series, which aired in syndication from October 1988 until March 1990. A spin-off from the Nightmare on Elm Street series, each story was introduced by Freddy Krueger (played, as in the movies, by Robert Englund). The pilot episode was directed by Tobe Hooper, and begins with Freddy Krueger's prosecution on child-murdering charges ending in a mistrial due to the discovery that his arresting officer did not read Freddy his Miranda rights. A mob of parents eventually corners Freddy in a boiler room (his workplace), leading to him being torched by the police officer, dying and gaining his familiar visage.
The series was produced by New Line Television, producers of the film series, and Stone Television. It was originally distributed by Lorimar-Telepictures. Afterwards, Warner Bros. Television would assume syndication rights after acquiring Lorimar-Telepictures in 1989.

NJ4K: Freddy's Nightmares Episode One "No More... by notjust4kids


I really licked Nightmare Cafe is an American telefantasy program which aired on NBC for an abridged first season from January to April 1992. While the overall tone of the program was that of a mystical fantasy, it frequently incorporated elements of dark humor, horror, and even outright comedy. A total of six episodes were produced before low ratings led to its cancellation. The series has subsequently been shown on the Sci Fi Channel as part of their Series Collection. The series began showing on NBC Universal's horror and suspense-themed cable channel, Chiller in March 2009.


Nightmare Cafe   s01e01 by chilltown01


As a TV fan I had a fondness for his 1989 horror film Shocker (also known as Wes Craven's Shocker). It stared Michael MurphyPeter Berg and Mitch Pileggi as Horace Pinker. The climax is a chase through the television airwaves.



Normally I end my obituaries by saying, "Good Night" to the departed but maybe this time I'll just say, "Thanks for the Nightmares" Mr. Craven.

Stay Tuned

Tony Figueroa

No comments: