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{{Short description|1989 film}}
{{Short description|1989 slasher film}}
{{more citations needed|date=May 2018}}
{{more citations needed|date=May 2018}}
{{Infobox film
{{Infobox film
| name = Out of the Dark
| name = Out of the Dark
| image =
| image =

| image_size =
| caption =
| caption =
| director = [[Michael Schroeder (director)|Michael Schroeder]]
| director = [[Michael Schroeder (director)|Michael Schroeder]]
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| starring = [[Karen Witter]]<br/>[[Karen Black]]<br/>[[Bud Cort]]<br/>[[Geoffrey Lewis (actor)|Geoffrey Lewis]]<br/>[[Tracey Walter]]<br/>[[Divine (actor)|Divine]]<br/>[[Cameron Dye]]
| starring = [[Karen Witter]]<br/>[[Karen Black]]<br/>[[Bud Cort]]<br/>[[Geoffrey Lewis (actor)|Geoffrey Lewis]]<br/>[[Tracey Walter]]<br/>[[Divine (actor)|Divine]]<br/>[[Cameron Dye]]
| music = [[Paul Antonelli]]<br/>[[David Wheatley (composer)|David Wheatley]]
| music = [[Paul Antonelli]]<br/>[[David Wheatley (composer)|David Wheatley]]
| cinematography = Julio Macat
| cinematography = [[Julio Macat]]
| editing = Mark S. Manos
| editing = Mark S. Manos
| distributor = [[CineTel Films]]
| distributor = [[CineTel Films]]
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| country = United States
| country = United States
| language = English
| language = English
| budget = $1,600,000 <ref name="OutoftheDarkProd">{{cite magazine |last=French|first=Todd|date=July 1988|title=Out of the Dark|url=https://archive.org/details/cinefantastique_1970-2002/Cinefantastique%20Vol%2018%20No%205%20%28July%201988%29/page/n13/mode/1up?view=theater|url-status= |magazine=[[Cinefantastique]]|location= |publisher= Fourth Castle Micromedia|access-date=July 13, 2023}}</ref>
| budget = $1,600,000 (estimated)
| gross = $419,428 (USA)
| gross = $419,428 (USA)
}}
}}


'''''Out of the Dark''''' is a 1989 American [[Erotic film|erotic]] [[Comedy horror|comedy horror film]] starring [[Karen Witter]]. The film is notable for being the last acting credit of the drag queen [[Divine (actor)|Divine]], who died slightly over a year before its theatrical release.
'''''Out of the Dark''''' is a 1989 American [[slasher film]]<ref name="timeoutrev"/> starring [[Karen Witter]]. The film is notable for being the last acting credit of the drag queen [[Divine (actor)|Divine]], who died slightly over a year before its release.


==Plot==
==Plot==
"Suite Nothings" is a sleazy L.A. [[phone-sex]] hot-line voiced by failed models. Preying on them is Bobo, a psychotic killer who dresses in a clown costume. While the police try to uncover the clown's identity, the agency's models fall to Bobo's murderous rage.
"Suite Nothings" is a sleazy L.A. [[phone-sex]] hot-line voiced by women who are trying, and usually failing, to become successful actors or models. Preying on them is Bobo, a psychotic killer who dresses in a clown costume. The police believe the killer to be Kevin, a photographer who is dating one of the operators, Kristi. As the murders pile up Kristi and Kevin start their own quest to find the killer, as one of the investigators, Lt. Meyers, refuses to believe that anyone else is the murderer.

Their investigations cause them to suspect an accountant in the same building, Stringer, but also places them at a sleazy motel at the same time Bobo murders a prostitute. Kevin is detained for the murder, as he made Kristi flee with him from the scene, and he uses his one phone call to instruct Kristi to search Stringer's office for evidence. The search is fruitful, but Kristi is discovered by Stringer. The two fight and Stringer chases Kristi out of the building, where he is run over by a passing motorist. The evidence in Stringer's office clears Kevin of the crimes, much to the frustration of Meyers, who still believes him to be the killer.

Kristi and a now-free Kevin then travel to a remote cabin, where she quickly discovers that Kevin was the true killer all along. When he tries to attack her Kristi shoots Kevin with a gun they had been carrying for safety. Believing him to be dead she turns her back on him, only for him to rise up and attack her. Before he can kill her, Lt. Meyers arrives and shoots Kevin dead with a shotgun.


==Cast==
==Cast==
*[[Karen Black]] as Ruth Wilson
*[[Karen Black]] as Ruth Wilson
*[[Bud Cort]] as Doug Stringer
*[[Bud Cort]] as David Stringer
*[[Geoffrey Lewis (actor)|Geoffrey Lewis]] as Dennis
*[[Geoffrey Lewis (actor)|Geoffrey Lewis]] as Dennis
*[[Tracey Walter]] as Lt. Frank Meyers
*[[Tracey Walter]] as Lt. Frank Meyers
*Lynn Danielson-Rosenthal as Kristi
*[[Divine (actor)|Divine]] as Det. Langella
*[[Divine (actor)|Divine]] as Det. Langella
*[[Cameron Dye]] as Kevin Silvers
*[[Cameron Dye]] as Kevin Silvers
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*[[Tab Hunter]] as Driver
*[[Tab Hunter]] as Driver
*[[Paul Bartel]] as Hotel Clerk
*[[Paul Bartel]] as Hotel Clerk
*[[Silvana Gallardo]] as McDonald

==Production==
The screenplay was written by J. Greg De Felice and Zane W. Levitt, the latter of whom had worked as an assistant to producer [[Paul Bartel]], and inspired by the then prolific 976 [[Premium-rate telephone number]] and had the original title of ''976-KILL''.<ref name= "OutoftheDarkProd"/> The title was changed to avoid confusion with another 976 film [[CineTel Films]] had produced titled ''[[976-EVIL]]''.<ref name= "OutoftheDarkProd"/> Levitt and De Felice were inspired by the works of [[Brian De Palma]] in making the film a lurid sexually tinged murder mystery.<ref name= "OutoftheDarkProd"/>


==Release==
==Release==
{{expand section|date=May 2018}}
{{expand section|date=May 2018}}

The movie was shown in October 1992 on the UK's TalkingPictures TV Channel as part of its "Cellar Club" line up of off the beaten track vintage movies.


===Home media===
===Home media===
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''Out of the Dark'' was released on VHS and Laserdisc in 1989 by RCA/Columbia Pictures home video. Sony Pictures released the film on a manufactured-on-demand DVD-R of the film on March 1, 2011.
''Out of the Dark'' was released on VHS and Laserdisc in 1989 by RCA/Columbia Pictures home video. Sony Pictures released the film on a manufactured-on-demand DVD-R of the film on March 1, 2011.


[[Mill Creek Entertainment]] re-released Out of the Dark on DVD.
Mill Creek Entertainment re-released Out of the Dark on DVD.


==Reception==
==Reception==
{{expand section|date=June 2018}}
{{expand section|date=June 2018}}
[[Stephen Holden]] from the ''[[New York Times]]'' gave the film a negative review, calling it "misogynistic" and criticized its inconsistent tone.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Holden|first1=Stephen|title=Review/Film; 'Out of The Dark,' Phone Sex - The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/05/05/movies/review-film-out-of-the-dark-phone-sex.html|website=New York Times.com|publisher=Stephen Holden|accessdate=2 May 2018}}</ref> [[Time Out London|Time Out]] called it "A straight re-run of those '70s slasher pics", and criticized the film for the obvious identity of the killer.<ref name="timeoutrev">{{cite web|title=Out of the Dark, directed by Michael Schroeder|url=https://www.timeout.com/london/film/out-of-the-dark|website=Time Out.com|publisher=Time Out|accessdate=2 May 2018}}</ref> [[TV Guide]] awarded the film one out of four stars, stating that the only real selling point was the "eccentric array of supporting players".<ref name="tvguiderev">{{cite web|title=Out Of The Dark - Movie Reviews and Movie Ratings|url=http://www.tvguide.com/movies/out-of-the-dark/review/137408/|website=TV Guide.com|publisher=TV Guide|accessdate=2 May 2018}}</ref>
[[Stephen Holden]] from the ''[[New York Times]]'' gave the film a negative review, calling it "misogynistic" and criticized its inconsistent tone.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Holden|first1=Stephen|title=Review/Film; 'Out of The Dark,' Phone Sex - The New York Times|work=The New York Times |date=5 May 1989 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/05/05/movies/review-film-out-of-the-dark-phone-sex.html|accessdate=2 May 2018}}</ref> ''[[Time Out London|Time Out]]'' called it "A straight re-run of those '70s slasher pics", and criticized the film for the obvious identity of the killer.<ref name="timeoutrev">{{cite web|title=Out of the Dark, directed by Michael Schroeder|url=https://www.timeout.com/london/film/out-of-the-dark|website=Time Out.com|date=10 September 2012 |publisher=Time Out|accessdate=2 May 2018}}</ref> ''[[TV Guide]]'' awarded the film one out of four stars, stating that the only real selling point was the "eccentric array of supporting players".<ref name="tvguiderev">{{cite web|title=Out Of The Dark - Movie Reviews and Movie Ratings|url=http://www.tvguide.com/movies/out-of-the-dark/review/137408/|website=TV Guide.com|publisher=TV Guide|accessdate=2 May 2018}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
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== External links ==
== External links ==
*{{Amg movie|36803|Out of the Dark (1989)}}
*{{AllMovie title|36803|Out of the Dark (1989)}}
*{{imdb title|id=0095803|title=Out of the Dark (1989)}}
*{{IMDb title|id=0095803|title=Out of the Dark (1989)}}
*{{Rotten tomatoes|1015753_out_of_the_dark|Out of the Dark (1989)}}
*{{Rotten tomatoes|1015753_out_of_the_dark|Out of the Dark (1989)}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Out Of The Dark (1989 Film)}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Out Of The Dark (1989 Film)}}
⚫
[[Category:1989 horror films]]
[[Category:1989 films]]
[[Category:1989 films]]
[[Category:1980s erotic films]]
[[Category:American slasher films]]
⚫
[[Category:1989 horror films]]
⚫
[[Category:1980s psychological thriller films]]
⚫
[[Category:American erotic thriller films]]
[[Category:American horror thriller films]]
[[Category:American psychological horror films]]
[[Category:American erotic horror films]]
[[Category:American films]]
[[Category:American serial killer films]]
[[Category:American serial killer films]]
[[Category:Horror films about clowns]]
[[Category:Horror films about clowns]]
[[Category:English-language films]]
[[Category:CineTel Films films]]
[[Category:CineTel Films films]]
⚫
[[Category:1980s English-language films]]

[[Category:Films directed by Michael Schroeder]]

⚫
[[Category:1980s American films]]
{{erotic-thriller-film-stub}}

Revision as of 19:07, 4 May 2024

Out of the Dark
Directed byMichael Schroeder
Written byJ. Greg De Felice
Zane W. Levitt
Produced byZane W. Levitt
David C. Thomas
Paul Bartel
StarringKaren Witter
Karen Black
Bud Cort
Geoffrey Lewis
Tracey Walter
Divine
Cameron Dye
CinematographyJulio Macat
Edited byMark S. Manos
Music byPaul Antonelli
David Wheatley
Distributed byCineTel Films
Release date
  • May 5, 1989 (1989-05-05)
Running time
89 min
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$1,600,000 [1]
Box office$419,428 (USA)

Out of the Dark is a 1989 American slasher film[2] starring Karen Witter. The film is notable for being the last acting credit of the drag queen Divine, who died slightly over a year before its release.

Plot

"Suite Nothings" is a sleazy L.A. phone-sex hot-line voiced by women who are trying, and usually failing, to become successful actors or models. Preying on them is Bobo, a psychotic killer who dresses in a clown costume. The police believe the killer to be Kevin, a photographer who is dating one of the operators, Kristi. As the murders pile up Kristi and Kevin start their own quest to find the killer, as one of the investigators, Lt. Meyers, refuses to believe that anyone else is the murderer.

Their investigations cause them to suspect an accountant in the same building, Stringer, but also places them at a sleazy motel at the same time Bobo murders a prostitute. Kevin is detained for the murder, as he made Kristi flee with him from the scene, and he uses his one phone call to instruct Kristi to search Stringer's office for evidence. The search is fruitful, but Kristi is discovered by Stringer. The two fight and Stringer chases Kristi out of the building, where he is run over by a passing motorist. The evidence in Stringer's office clears Kevin of the crimes, much to the frustration of Meyers, who still believes him to be the killer.

Kristi and a now-free Kevin then travel to a remote cabin, where she quickly discovers that Kevin was the true killer all along. When he tries to attack her Kristi shoots Kevin with a gun they had been carrying for safety. Believing him to be dead she turns her back on him, only for him to rise up and attack her. Before he can kill her, Lt. Meyers arrives and shoots Kevin dead with a shotgun.

Cast

Production

The screenplay was written by J. Greg De Felice and Zane W. Levitt, the latter of whom had worked as an assistant to producer Paul Bartel, and inspired by the then prolific 976 Premium-rate telephone number and had the original title of 976-KILL.[1] The title was changed to avoid confusion with another 976 film CineTel Films had produced titled 976-EVIL.[1] Levitt and De Felice were inspired by the works of Brian De Palma in making the film a lurid sexually tinged murder mystery.[1]

Release

The movie was shown in October 1992 on the UK's TalkingPictures TV Channel as part of its "Cellar Club" line up of off the beaten track vintage movies.

Home media

Out of the Dark was released on VHS and Laserdisc in 1989 by RCA/Columbia Pictures home video. Sony Pictures released the film on a manufactured-on-demand DVD-R of the film on March 1, 2011.

Mill Creek Entertainment re-released Out of the Dark on DVD.

Reception

Stephen Holden from the New York Times gave the film a negative review, calling it "misogynistic" and criticized its inconsistent tone.[3] Time Out called it "A straight re-run of those '70s slasher pics", and criticized the film for the obvious identity of the killer.[2] TV Guide awarded the film one out of four stars, stating that the only real selling point was the "eccentric array of supporting players".[4]

References

  1. ^ a b c d French, Todd (July 1988). "Out of the Dark". Cinefantastique. Fourth Castle Micromedia. Retrieved July 13, 2023.
  2. ^ a b "Out of the Dark, directed by Michael Schroeder". Time Out.com. Time Out. 10 September 2012. Retrieved 2 May 2018.
  3. ^ Holden, Stephen (5 May 1989). "Review/Film; 'Out of The Dark,' Phone Sex - The New York Times". The New York Times. Retrieved 2 May 2018.
  4. ^ "Out Of The Dark - Movie Reviews and Movie Ratings". TV Guide.com. TV Guide. Retrieved 2 May 2018.
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