John Carpenter

John Carpenter

Born: January 16, 1948
in Carthage, New York, USA
An American film director, screenwriter, producer, editor, composer, and occasional actor.

Although Carpenter has worked in numerous film genres in his four-decade career, his name is most commonly associated with horror and science fiction.

Most films in Carpenter's career were initially commercial and critical failures, with the notable exceptions of Halloween (1978), The Fog (1980), Escape from New York (1981), and Starman (1984).

However, many of Carpenter's films from the 1970s and the 1980s have come to be viewed as cult classics, and he has been acknowledged as an influential filmmaker. Cult classics that Carpenter directed include: Dark Star (1974), Assault on Precinct 13 (1976), The Thing (1982), Christine (1983), Big Trouble in Little China (1986), Prince of Darkness (1987), They Live (1988) and In the Mouth of Madness (1995).

His films are characterized by minimalist lighting and photography, static cameras, use of steadicam, and distinctive synthesized scores. Carpenter is also notable for having composed or co-composed most of the music of his films; some of them are now considered cult as well, with the main theme of Halloween being considered a part of popular culture. His music is generally synthesized with accompaniment from piano and atmospherics. He released his first studio album Lost Themes in 2015, and also won a Saturn Award for Best Music for Vampires (1998).

Carpenter is an outspoken proponent of widescreen filming, and all of his theatrical movies (with the exception of Dark Star and The Ward) were filmed anamorphic with a 2.35:1 or greater aspect ratio. The Ward was shot in Super 35, the first time Carpenter has ever used that system. Carpenter has stated he feels that the 35mm Panavision anamorphic format is "the best movie system there is", preferring it over both digital and 3D film. Many of Carpenter's films have been re-released on DVD as special editions with numerous bonus features.

Carpenter has been the subject of the documentary film John Carpenter: The Man and His Movies, and American Cinematheque's 2002 retrospective of his films. Moreover, in 2006, the United States Library of Congress deemed Halloween to be "culturally significant" and selected it for preservation in the National Film Registry.

In 2010, writer and actor Mark Gatiss interviewed Carpenter about his career and films for his BBC documentary series A History of Horror. Carpenter appears in all three episodes of the series. He was also interviewed by Robert Rodriguez for his The Director's Chair series on El Rey Network.

Many filmmakers have been influenced by Carpenter, including James Cameron, Quentin Tarantino (The Hateful Eight was heavily influenced by The Thing), Guillermo del Toro, Robert Rodriguez, Edgar Wright, Danny Boyle, Nicolas Winding Refn, Bong Joon-ho, among others.

The video game Dead Space 3 is said to be influenced by Carpenter's The Thing, The Fog and Halloween, and Carpenter has stated that he would be enthusiastic to adapt that series into a feature film.

Movies for John Carpenter...

Title: Amityville: An Origin Story
Character: Self
Released: April 23, 2023
Type: TV
The story behind the world's most infamous haunted house tale: the Amityville murders. This is the first elevated look at every aspect of this wildly layered story about the heinous murder of a family of six that became eclipsed by paranormal controversy. 
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In Search of Darkness: Part III
Title: In Search of Darkness: Part III
Character: Self
Released: November 25, 2022
Type: Movie
The conclusion to the ‘In Search of Darkness’ trilogy. In this epic final chapter, our focus turns to the straight-to-video horror classics that populated the bottom shelves at the video rental store. Imaginative, gory, experimental—but always entertaining—these hidden gems are ripe for rediscovery.
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Halloween in Hollywood
Title: Halloween in Hollywood
Character: Self
Released: October 1, 2022
Type: Movie
Chris Hardwick hosts this epic night celebrating all things Halloween, including interviews with Jamie Lee Curtis, Jason Blum and David Gordon about the film Halloween Ends, and special celebrity appearances from Blake Shelton, Terry Crews and more.
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Title: Charles Band’s Full Moon Freakshow
Released: May 24, 2022
Type: TV
Join trailblazing producer, director, best-selling author and B-movie mogul Charles Band as he invites you into his weird world.
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Studio 666
Title: Studio 666
Character: Engineer
Released: February 24, 2022
Type: Movie
Legendary rock band Foo Fighters move into an Encino mansion steeped in grisly rock and roll history to record their much anticipated 10th album. Once in the house, Dave Grohl finds himself grappling with supernatural forces that threaten both the completion of the album and the lives of the band.
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In Search of Tomorrow
Title: In Search of Tomorrow
Character: Self - Interviewee
Released: February 19, 2022
Type: Movie
A nostalgic journey through ’80s Sci-Fi-films, exploring their impact and relevance today, told by the artist who made them and by those who were inspired to turn their visions into reality.
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The History of Metal and Horror
Title: The History of Metal and Horror
Character: Self
Released: September 17, 2021
Type: Movie
A documentary that explores the history of heavy metal music, horror films, and how the two genres have merged together over time.
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In Search of Darkness: Part II
Title: In Search of Darkness: Part II
Character: Self
Released: October 6, 2020
Type: Movie
The ultimate ‘80s Horror retrospective just got BIGGER. In Search of Darkness: Part II is a four-hour-plus sequel to the Rondo Hatton-nominated In Search of Darkness, adding 15 new interviewees and 40+ returning favorites for the biggest and most comprehensive ‘80s Horror documentary cast ever assembled.
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AGFA Mystery Mixtape #4: Follow Your Own Star
Title: AGFA Mystery Mixtape #4: Follow Your Own Star
Character: Self
Released: July 14, 2020
Type: Movie
Unleashed from the video vaults of the American Genre Film Archive (AGFA), AGFA MYSTERY MIXTAPE #4: FOLLOW YOUR OWN STAR is a brand new compilation of the most electrifying found footage mayhem that you’ll see this week. For this latest tape, our deep dive into behind-the-scenes horror is complemented by an even deeper dive into television from Dimension X.
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Title: The Movies That Made Us
Character: Self (Archival Footage)
Released: November 29, 2019
Type: TV
These blockbusters brought us together and gave us the time of our lives. Meet the actors, directors and industry insiders who made them happen.
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The Rise of the Synths
Title: The Rise of the Synths
Character: Narrator (voice)
Released: November 15, 2019
Type: Movie
A documentary about the Synthwave scene, nostalgia and the universe of creating sounds. A love letter to human fascination and the collective memories of a universe, that never existed.
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1982: Hollywood Summer
Title: 1982: Hollywood Summer
Character: Self
Released: September 6, 2019
Type: Movie
In the 1980s, Hollywood cinema was revolutionized. Especially the summer of 1982 changed the entertainment cinema with nine grand films forever, as the documentary shows.
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In Search of Darkness
Title: In Search of Darkness
Character: Self
Released: May 1, 2019
Type: Movie
An exploration of '80s horror movies through the perspective of the actors, directors, producers and SFX craftspeople who made them, and their impact on contemporary cinema.
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The Sound of Fear
Title: The Sound of Fear
Character: Self
Released: January 15, 2019
Type: Movie
Incorporating the original 1978 Halloween theme, John Carpenter, Cody Carpenter and Daniel Davies showcase their skills.
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The Original Scream Queen
Title: The Original Scream Queen
Character: Self
Released: January 15, 2019
Type: Movie
A look back at the incredible scream queen herself, Jamie Lee Curtis.
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Back in Haddonfield: Making Halloween
Title: Back in Haddonfield: Making Halloween
Character: Self
Released: January 15, 2019
Type: Movie
Go behind the scenes of the 2018 iteration of Halloween, as well as interviews with director David Gordon Green, producer/composer John Carpenter, co-writer Danny McBride, Jamie Lee Curtis, Judy Greer, Andi Matichak, James Jude Courtney, Rhian Rees, Virginia Gardner, Drew Scheid, and many more.
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Journey of the Mask
Title: Journey of the Mask
Character: Self
Released: January 15, 2019
Type: Movie
A brief history of the iconic 'Michael Myers' mask.
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The Legacy of Halloween
Title: The Legacy of Halloween
Character: Self
Released: January 15, 2019
Type: Movie
The Legacy of the iconic 'Halloween' franchise.
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Henchman: The Al Leong Story
Title: Henchman: The Al Leong Story
Character: Self
Released: December 15, 2018
Type: Movie
Story of Al Leong, the greatest henchman in film history.
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John Carpenter: Live Retrospective
Title: John Carpenter: Live Retrospective
Character: Self
Released: October 31, 2018
Type: Movie
John Carpenter performs tracks from his movies and from his Lost Themes album. Recorded in London and Chicago in 2016.
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Dark Glamour: The Blood and Guts of Hammer Productions
Title: Dark Glamour: The Blood and Guts of Hammer Productions
Character: Self - Filmmaker
Released: August 6, 2017
Type: Movie
The greatness, fall and renaissance of Hammer, the flagship company of British popular cinema, mainly from 1955 to 1968. Tortured women and sadistic monsters populated oppressive scenarios in provocative productions that shocked censorship and disgusted critics but fascinated the public. Movies in which horror was shown in offensive colors: dreadful stories, told without prejudices, that offered fear, blood, sex and stunning performances.
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Monstres, l'ennemi de l'intérieur
Title: Monstres, l'ennemi de l'intérieur
Character: Self
Released: May 12, 2017
Type: Movie
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John Carpenter: Live At Primavera Sound 2016
Title: John Carpenter: Live At Primavera Sound 2016
Character: Self - Keyboards
Released: June 2, 2016
Type: Movie
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It Takes a Village: The Making of Village of the Damned
Title: It Takes a Village: The Making of Village of the Damned
Character: Self
Released: April 12, 2016
Type: Movie
Featuring interviews with Director John Carpenter, Producer Sandy King, Actors Michael Paré, Peter Jason, Karen Kahn, Meredith Salenger, Thomas Dekker, Cody Dorkin, Lindsey Haun, Danielle Wiener-Keaton and Make-up Effects Artist Greg Nicotero.
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The Puppet Man
Title: The Puppet Man
Character: The Taxi Driver
Released: January 22, 2016
Type: Movie
A supernatural killer stalks a young woman and her friends in a seedy, neon-lit dive bar.
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Jean-Michel Jarre: The Rise of Electronic Music
Title: Jean-Michel Jarre: The Rise of Electronic Music
Character: Self
Released: September 19, 2015
Type: Movie
Jean-Michel Jarre is one of the pioneers of electronic music. He is a composer, performer, songwriter, and producer whose pioneering approach to electronic music and live performance has influenced a generation. The emergence of the album "E-Project"is album is the focus of the documentary "A Journey Into Sound" by Birgit Herdlitschke. The film also airs the secret of success of Jean-Michel Jarre. With material from private and public archives, the film looks back on his youth, the first experiments with electronic music and his relationship with his famous father Maurice Jarre (composer of soundtrack for "Lawrence of Arabia", "Doctor Zhivago").
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Title: The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
Character: Self
Released: September 8, 2015
Type: TV
Stephen Colbert brings his signature satire and comedy to The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, the #1 show in late night, where he talks with an eclectic mix of guests about what is new and relevant in the worlds of politics, entertainment, business, music, technology, and more. Featuring bandleader Jon Batiste with his band Stay Human, the Emmy Award-nominated show is broadcast from the historic Ed Sullivan Theater. Stephen Colbert, Chris Licht, Tom Purcell, and Jon Stewart are executive producers. Barry Julien and Denise Rehrig serve as co-executive producers.must watch
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Title: Track Stories
Character: Self
Released: May 15, 2015
Type: TV
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Why Horror?
Title: Why Horror?
Character: Self
Released: October 3, 2014
Type: Movie
Horror fan Tal Zimerman examines the psychology of horror around the world to find out why people love to be scared.
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Title: The Director's Chair
Character: Self
Released: May 10, 2014
Type: TV
Robert Rodriguez sits down with the industry's most iconic directors and engages in a revealing and unexpected exchange about the world of filmmaking.
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Title: The Real History of Science Fiction
Character: Self
Released: April 19, 2014
Type: TV
The series heads to the very frontiers of space and science to produce the definitive television history of science fiction, told through its impact on cinema, television and literature, with the help of filmmakers, writers, actors, and graphic artists. Each episode will explore one of the enduring themes of science fiction: time travel; the exploration of space; robots and artificial intelligence; and aliens.
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The Birds: Hitchcock's Monster Movie
Title: The Birds: Hitchcock's Monster Movie
Character: Self
Released: November 6, 2012
Type: Movie
This documentary short explores the origins of the monster movie and how Alfred Hitchcock's "The Birds" (1963) fits in the genre.
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Charlie Brown: Blockhead's Revenge
Title: Charlie Brown: Blockhead's Revenge
Character: Self/Host
Released: October 31, 2011
Type: Movie
The cast of MTV's 'Teen Wolf' teams up with Funny or Die and gives Charlie Brown a spooky twist.
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Nightmare Factory
Title: Nightmare Factory
Character: Self
Released: October 27, 2011
Type: Movie
The story of how one Pittsburgh boy’s fascination with monsters drove him to the very top of the Hollywood food chain. In 1989, Greg Nicotero, much to his parents’ chagrin, quit medical school and headed for Hollywood to pursue a dream of making monsters. Together with gore masters Howard Berger and Robert Kurtzman, Nicotero went on to create KNB EFX Group, one of the most prolific makeup effects studios in the world. After twenty years as the “go to guy” for the world’s most successful horror/sci-fi films, Greg Nicotero is the first one directors like Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez call.
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The Original Monster Mash
Title: The Original Monster Mash
Character: Self
Released: October 8, 2011
Type: Movie
The Monster Mash was originally too hardcore for some to handle.
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Let There Be Light: The Odyssey of Dark Star
Title: Let There Be Light: The Odyssey of Dark Star
Character: Himself (voice)
Released: October 26, 2010
Type: Movie
Exploring the controversial story behind John Carpenter (Halloween & The Thing) and writer Dan O Bannon's (Alien & Return of the Living Dead) from first feature film. From its humble beginnings as a USC student film, to its modern day status as a cult masterpiece. It also offers a rare glimpse inside the creative minds of two USC film students... who would eventually go on to change the way horror films are made.
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Halloween: The Inside Story
Title: Halloween: The Inside Story
Character: Self
Released: October 25, 2010
Type: Movie
This feature-length documentary takes a look at one of the most successful film franchises of all time as it goes behind the scenes of John Carpenter’s Halloween, the frightfest that redefined the horror genre in the late 1970s.
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Title: A History of Horror
Character:  Self
Released: October 11, 2010
Type: TV
Mark Gatiss examines the history of the horror film, from classic Hollywood monsters to Hammer's glory days and beyond.
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Fasten Your Seatbelt: The Thrilling Art of Alfred Hitchcock
Title: Fasten Your Seatbelt: The Thrilling Art of Alfred Hitchcock
Character: Self
Released: November 24, 2009
Type: Movie
A short Universal promo regarding the works of Alfred Hitchcock.
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Nightmares in Red, White and Blue
Title: Nightmares in Red, White and Blue
Character: Self
Released: August 6, 2009
Type: Movie
An exploration of the appeal of horror films, with interviews of many legendary directors in the genre.
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Monsterland
Title: Monsterland
Character: Self
Released: March 29, 2009
Type: Movie
A journey through time and history of diverse monster types, from the latex monster in devastated postwar Japan to aliens and serial murderers.
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Tales from the Script
Title: Tales from the Script
Character: Self
Released: January 10, 2009
Type: Movie
Shane Black ("Lethal Weapon"), John Carpenter ("Halloween"), Frank Darabont ("The Shawshank Redemption"), William Goldman ("The Princess Bride"), Paul Schrader ("Taxi Driver"), and dozens of other Hollywood screenwriters share hilarious anecdotes and penetrating insights in "Tales from the Script," the most comprehensive documentary ever made about screenwriting. By analyzing their triumphs and recalling their failures, the participants explain how successful writers develop the skills necessary for toughing out careers in one of the world's most competitive industries. They also reveal the untold stories behind some of the greatest screenplays ever written, describing their adventures with luminaries including Harrison Ford, Stanley Kubrick, Joel Silver, Martin Scorsese, and Steven Spielberg. The film was produced in tandem with the upcoming HarperCollins book of the same name.
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The Master's Touch: Hitchcock's Signature Style
Title: The Master's Touch: Hitchcock's Signature Style
Character: Self
Released: January 1, 2009
Type: Movie
Documentary that features interviews with Martin Scorsese, Curtis Hanson, Francis Lawrence, William Friedkin, Guillermo Del Toro, John Carpenter and others as they discuss the films and style of the Master of Suspense.
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Fantastic Flesh: The Art of Make-Up EFX
Title: Fantastic Flesh: The Art of Make-Up EFX
Character: Self
Released: October 7, 2008
Type: Movie
This documentary delves into the art of make-up effects with industry legends Dick Smith, Rob Bottin, Tom Savini, John Landis, Frank Darabont, Joe Dante and many others with a strong focus on Greg Nicotero and Howard Berger of KNB Make-Up EFX. Written by Kevin VanHook
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Pure Cinema: Through the Eyes of Hitchcock
Title: Pure Cinema: Through the Eyes of Hitchcock
Character: Self
Released: October 7, 2008
Type: Movie
Alfred Hitchcock often referred to his style of film making as "pure cinema" — using camera movement, editing, music and sound to tell stories that would be impossible in any other medium. This in-depth documentary allows directors such as William Friedkin, Martin Scorsese and Guillermo del Toro to examine the power and mastery of Hitchcock's cinematic style.
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In the Master's Shadow: Hitchcock's Legacy
Title: In the Master's Shadow: Hitchcock's Legacy
Character: Self
Released: October 7, 2008
Type: Movie
Films beget films. Filmmakers influence other filmmakers constantly. But the most influential filmmaker of all time is Alfred Hitchcock.
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Bernard Herrmann: Hitchcock's Maestro
Title: Bernard Herrmann: Hitchcock's Maestro
Character: Self
Released: October 7, 2008
Type: Movie
No director-composer collaboration has been more seminal to motion pictures than the partnership of Alfred Hitchcock and Bernard Herrmann. In this documentary we examine the long and sometimes painful partnership that produced unforgettable musical scores for such films as Vertigo, Psycho, and The Man Who Knew Too Much.
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Lovecraft: Fear of the Unknown
Title: Lovecraft: Fear of the Unknown
Character: Self
Released: July 24, 2008
Type: Movie
A chronicle of the life, work and mind that created the Cthulhu mythos.
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Bloodsucking Cinema
Title: Bloodsucking Cinema
Character: Self
Released: October 26, 2007
Type: Movie
The sound of flapping bat wings, an empty coffin, glistening fangs, tiny punctures on the neck, the sensual taste of blood, a blank reflection, fear of the cross, and death from daylight. These are the creatures of the night, and as legendary (but fictional) vampire hunter Abraham Van Helsing exclaimed: "Gentlemen, we are dealing with the undead!" Perhaps the most enduring film genre of all time, vampire films continue to haunt us on the big screen. Why are we fascinated with the myth of these immortal souls? Could it be the living forever part, or perhaps the fact that they have an unearthly sexual attraction to both males and females? Whatever it is, audiences around the world can't seem to get enough of them.
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Commemoration: Howard Hawks' 'Rio Bravo'
Title: Commemoration: Howard Hawks' 'Rio Bravo'
Character: Self
Released: January 1, 2007
Type: Movie
An appreciation of Howard Hawks' "Rio Bravo" (1959) by filmmakers and historians.
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Big John
Title: Big John
Character: Self
Released: December 11, 2006
Type: Movie
French documentary on the films of John Carpenter
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Robby the Robot: Engineering a Sci-Fi Icon
Title: Robby the Robot: Engineering a Sci-Fi Icon
Character: Self
Released: November 14, 2006
Type: Movie
A short documentary about Robby the Robot.
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Amazing! Exploring the Far Reaches of Forbidden Planet
Title: Amazing! Exploring the Far Reaches of Forbidden Planet
Character: Self
Released: November 14, 2006
Type: Movie
A documentary about the making of, and legacy of, the Forbidden Planet movie.
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Born to Controversy: The Roddy Piper Story
Title: Born to Controversy: The Roddy Piper Story
Character: Self
Released: November 14, 2006
Type: Movie
Tracing the amazing journey of "Rowdy" Roddy Piper, whose intense rivalry with Hulk Hogan launched WrestleMania, and his many stops along the way, including WWE, WCW, NWA, Hollywood, and beyond.
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Going to Pieces: The Rise and Fall of the Slasher Film
Title: Going to Pieces: The Rise and Fall of the Slasher Film
Character: Self
Released: October 13, 2006
Type: Movie
This historical and critical look at slasher films, which includes dozens of clips, begins with Halloween, Friday the 13th, and Prom Night. The films' directors, writers, producers, and special effects creators comment on the films' making and success. During the Reagan years, the films get gorier, budgets get smaller, and their appeal wanes. Then, Nightmare on Elm Street revives the genre. Jump to the late 90s, when Scream brings humor and TV stars into the mix.
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Halloween: 25 Years of Terror
Title: Halloween: 25 Years of Terror
Character: Self
Released: July 26, 2006
Type: Movie
Follow the evolution of the 'Halloween' movies over the past twenty-five years. It examines why the films are so popular and revisits many of the original locations used in the films - seeing the effects on the local community. For the first time, cast, crew, critics and fans join together in the ultimate 'Halloween' retrospective.
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Working with a Master: John Carpenter
Title: Working with a Master: John Carpenter
Character: Self (archive footage)
Released: March 28, 2006
Type: Movie
Documentary by Frank H. Woodward.
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Hollywood's Greatest Villains
Title: Hollywood's Greatest Villains
Character: Self
Released: December 1, 2005
Type: Movie
Hollywood's Greatest Villains
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The Perfect Scary Movie
Title: The Perfect Scary Movie
Character: Self
Released: October 29, 2005
Type: Movie
A documentary looking at the various conventions and scare techniques of the horror genre.
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Snake Plissken: Man of Honor
Title: Snake Plissken: Man of Honor
Character: Self
Released: June 6, 2005
Type: Movie
Documentary with interviews with John Carpenter and Debra Hill
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Hollywood's Creepiest Creatures
Title: Hollywood's Creepiest Creatures
Character: Self
Released: October 30, 2004
Type: Movie
Elvira hosts this humorous look at movie monsters and facts about the real animals on which they're based. Included: clips from films; and interviews with scientists and various showbiz types, including directors John Carpenter and John Landis, and actors Jeff Goldblum and Roy Scheider.
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Title: 100 Scariest Movie Moments
Character: Self
Released: October 27, 2004
Type: TV
Featuring interviews, film clips, and production stills, this miniseries explores what went into the making of most bone-chilling moments in cinematic history and searches beyond the conventions of the genre to uncover the number one scary movie moment of all time.
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Christine: Finish Line
Title: Christine: Finish Line
Character: Self
Released: September 28, 2004
Type: Movie
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Christine: Fast and Furious
Title: Christine: Fast and Furious
Character: Self
Released: September 28, 2004
Type: Movie
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Christine: Ignition
Title: Christine: Ignition
Character: Self
Released: September 28, 2004
Type: Movie
A look at the making of Christine (1983).
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John Carpenter: The Man and His Movies
Title: John Carpenter: The Man and His Movies
Character: Self
Released: March 23, 2004
Type: Movie
Chronicles the work of cult director John Carpenter through interviews with him and his associates, with emphases on the earlier work.
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Something to Do with Death
Title: Something to Do with Death
Character: Self - Filmmaker
Released: November 18, 2003
Type: Movie
Third part of a three-part documentary series on the making of Once Upon a Time in the West, Italian filmmaker Sergio Leone's masterpiece, released in 1968. (Preceded by The Wages of Sin.)
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An Opera of Violence
Title: An Opera of Violence
Character: Self - Filmmaker
Released: November 18, 2003
Type: Movie
First part of a three-part documentary series on the making of Once Upon a Time in the West, Italian filmmaker Sergio Leone's masterpiece, released in 1968. (Followed by The Wages of Sin.)
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The Wages of Sin
Title: The Wages of Sin
Character: Self - Filmmaker
Released: November 18, 2003
Type: Movie
Second part of a three-part documentary series on the making of Once Upon a Time in the West, Italian filmmaker Sergio Leone's masterpiece, released in 1968. (Preceded by An Opera of Violence; followed by Something to Do With Death.)
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Halloween: A Cut Above the Rest
Title: Halloween: A Cut Above the Rest
Character: Self
Released: August 5, 2003
Type: Movie
Using original interviews with director John Carpenter, stars Jamie Lee Curtis and P.J. Soles, and crew members, 'Halloween': A Cut Above the Rest unveils the production of the horror classic and how the ingenuity of Carpenter and his team, coupled with the shoestring budget of $325,000, drove the filmmakers to create one of the most influential horror films of all time.
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Do You Remember Laurie Zimmer?
Title: Do You Remember Laurie Zimmer?
Character: Self (voice)
Released: March 7, 2003
Type: Movie
Whatever happened to this promising young actress from Hollywood? A search for "the woman in the car" through the never-ending suburbia of Los Angeles, where the myth of cinema reigns. A sort of thriller without a corpse.
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Scoring Resident Evil
Title: Scoring Resident Evil
Character: Self (archive footage)
Released: November 15, 2002
Type: Movie
Resident Evil featurette.
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Masters of Horror
Title: Masters of Horror
Character: Self
Released: November 6, 2002
Type: Movie
Documentary showcasing the work of prominent film directors in the horror genre. Featuring interviews with the directors, behind the scenes footage and clips from popular horror films, and hosted by Bruce Campbell, star of The Evil Dead (1981).
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Tales from the Mist: Inside 'The Fog'
Title: Tales from the Mist: Inside 'The Fog'
Character: Self
Released: August 27, 2002
Type: Movie
Retrospective documentary on the making of the 1980 horror film "The Fog."
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Title: Through the Night with...
Character: Self
Released: May 10, 2002
Type: TV
Durch die Nacht mit … is a German documentary film television series produced by ZDF for Franco-German television channel ARTE. Locations are mainly in France or Germany. The title of the French version is Au cœur de la nuit. Two Celebrities spend an filmed evening together. One of them is the host who sets the location and the program. There is no moderator.
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Red Desert Nights: Making Ghosts of Mars
Title: Red Desert Nights: Making Ghosts of Mars
Character: Self
Released: December 4, 2001
Type: Movie
Documentary about the making of John Carpenter's sci-fi horror movie, Ghosts of Mars.
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Hidden Values: The Movies of the Fifties
Title: Hidden Values: The Movies of the Fifties
Character: Self
Released: September 4, 2001
Type: Movie
This documentary was broadcast on the Turner Classic Movies (TCM) cable channel to kick off the presentation of films related to TCM's theme of the month for September 2001. Actors Lee Grant and Paul Mazursky, producer Roger Corman, director John Carpenter, film critic Molly Haskell, and journalist Peter Biskind discuss the issues involved in six films of the 1950s. Topics include teenage loneliness, youth rebellion, changing gender roles, and the beginning of the sexual revolution.
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Dario Argento: An Eye for Horror
Title: Dario Argento: An Eye for Horror
Character: Self
Released: April 15, 2001
Type: Movie
Documentary that explores Argento's film career.
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Scream and Scream Again: A History of the Slasher Film
Title: Scream and Scream Again: A History of the Slasher Film
Character: Self
Released: October 28, 2000
Type: Movie
Documentary tracing the rise of the 'slasher' movie.
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Mario Bava: Maestro of the Macabre
Title: Mario Bava: Maestro of the Macabre
Character: Self
Released: October 1, 2000
Type: Movie
Director Garry S. Grant’s insightful documentary celebrates the work and legacy of auteur filmmaker Mario Bava, the grand master of Italian horror and the man known by many as “the Italian Hitchcock.”
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The American Nightmare
Title: The American Nightmare
Character: Self
Released: September 11, 2000
Type: Movie
An examination into the nature of 1960's-70's horror films, the involved artists, and how they reflected contemporary society.
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Guns for Hire: The Making of 'The Magnificent Seven'
Title: Guns for Hire: The Making of 'The Magnificent Seven'
Character: Self
Released: May 13, 2000
Type: Movie
A documentary about 'The Magnificent Seven'.
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Halloween: Unmasked
Title: Halloween: Unmasked
Character: Self
Released: September 13, 1999
Type: Movie
A retrospective documentary on the making of the movie "Halloween," featuring exclusive interviews with director John Carpenter, producer Debra Hill, and stars Jamie Lee Curtis, PJ Soles, and Nick Castle.
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The Thing: Terror Takes Shape
Title: The Thing: Terror Takes Shape
Character: Self
Released: September 8, 1998
Type: Movie
An in-depth look at the making of John Carpenter's cult classic sci-fi horror The Thing, telling the story of a group of researchers in Antarctica who encounter a parasitic extra-terrestrial life-form that assimilates, then imitates other organisms.
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After Sunset: The Life & Times of the Drive-In Theater
Title: After Sunset: The Life & Times of the Drive-In Theater
Character: Self
Released: September 29, 1995
Type: Movie
A video documentary/road trip that celebrates the drive-in movie theater's impact on the United States, and pays homage to the people who keep the few remaining ones fully operational. Features interviews with horror movie maker John Carpenter, movie critic John I. Bloom (aka "Joe Bob Briggs"), Michael Wallis, author of "Route 66: The Mother Road," and others.
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Village of the Damned
Title: Village of the Damned
Character: Man at Gas Station Phone
Released: April 28, 1995
Type: Movie
An American village is visited by some unknown life form which leaves the women of the village pregnant. Nine months later, the babies are born, and they all look normal, but it doesn't take the "parents" long to realize that the kids are not human or humane.
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The Silence of the Hams
Title: The Silence of the Hams
Character: Trenchcoat Man / Gimp
Released: March 11, 1994
Type: Movie
The federal agent Joe Dee Foster is currently investigating a serial killer, helped by doctor Animal who is isolated in a maximum security jail.
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Body Bags
Title: Body Bags
Character: Coroner
Released: August 8, 1993
Type: Movie
A woman working the late shift at a gas station while a killer is on the loose; a man who can't stand the thought of losing his hair; a baseball player that submits to an eye transplant. An anthology of terror.
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Memoirs of an Invisible Man
Title: Memoirs of an Invisible Man
Character: Helicopter Pilot
Released: February 28, 1992
Type: Movie
After a freak accident, an invisible yuppie runs for his life from a treacherous CIA official while trying to cope with his new life.
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Fear in the Dark
Title: Fear in the Dark
Character: Self
Released: October 29, 1991
Type: Movie
A short documentary on the history of the horror film narrated by Christopher Lee.
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Horror Cafe
Title: Horror Cafe
Character: Self
Released: April 11, 1990
Type: Movie
April 1990 - Six horror icons gather at the horror cafe to create the ultimate horror movie for the year 2000, these icons include: horror author Lisa Tuttle, director John Carpenter, author Clive Barker, producer & director Roger Corman, novelist Ramsey Campbell and screenwriter Peter Adkins.
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First Works
Title: First Works
Character: Self
Released: October 10, 1989
Type: Movie
It's a mixed bag in the age of illuminating DVD supplements, but First Works effectively demonstrates the early promise of 13 successful filmmakers. Culled from programs originally broadcast on Showtime in 1990, this crude compilation combines student films, early professional work, and interviews with now-famous directors at various stages of commercial and artistic achievement.
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Stephen King's World of Horror
Title: Stephen King's World of Horror
Character: Self
Released: January 1, 1989
Type: Movie
This horror documentary is not the same as the 1986 TV special Stephen King's World of Horror nor the 1988 VHS release of the same name, which runs 45 minutes, was distributed by Front Row Entertainment and is about King himself. Instead, This Is Horror (copyright 1989) was a TV special which ran in four 60 minute increments. This new special used some framing footage from the original 'World of Horror' but is primarily newer interviews and behind-the-scenes footage about what was hot in horror in the late 80s. Here in the U.S., a condensed 90-minute version made its way onto video courtesy of Goodtimes in 1990. Elsewhere, the entire special was released as 2 different tapes running 90 minutes apiece. In the UK these were titled This is Horror: A Video Encyclopedia of Horror (Volumes 1 and 2) and in Germany they were called Best of Stephen King's World of Horror (Parts 1 & 2).
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They Live
Title: They Live
Character: Voice That Says 'Sleep'
Released: November 4, 1988
Type: Movie
A lone drifter stumbles upon a harrowing discovery -- a unique pair of sunglasses that reveals that aliens are systematically gaining control of the Earth by masquerading as humans and lulling the public into submission.
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The Making of 'They Live'
Title: The Making of 'They Live'
Character: Self
Released: January 1, 1988
Type: Movie
Behind the scenes of John Carpenters cult classic.
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The Boy Who Could Fly
Title: The Boy Who Could Fly
Character: The Coupe de Villes
Released: August 15, 1986
Type: Movie
Milly and Louis, and their recently-widowed mom, Charlene, move to a new neighborhood. Once there, they all deal with a variety of personal problems, but Milly finds a friend in Eric, her autistic next door neighbor. Eric has a fascination with flight, and as the story progresses, he exerts an enthralling force of change on all those around him.
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Big Trouble in Little China
Title: Big Trouble in Little China
Character: Worker in Chinatown (uncredited)
Released: May 30, 1986
Type: Movie
Jack Burton, a tough-talking truck driver, goes into a supernatural tailspin when his best friend's fiancée is kidnapped.
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Stephen King's World of Horror
Title: Stephen King's World of Horror
Character: Self
Released: January 1, 1986
Type: Movie
A documentary about the works of novelist Stephen King and his influence on popular culture and his impact on horror film and novels. Includes celebrity guests John Carpenter, Clive Barker and Frank Darabont, plus a section on outrageous horror film promotions. Portions of this 45-minute TV special (released as is on VHS by Front Row Entertainment in 1988) were later used as bookmarking material for the This is Horror releases in 1989-90.
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Starman
Title: Starman
Character: Man in Helicopter (uncredited)
Released: December 13, 1984
Type: Movie
When an alien takes the form of a young widow's husband and asks her to drive him from Wisconsin to Arizona, the government tries to stop them.
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The Thing
Title: The Thing
Character: Norwegian (video footage) (uncredited)
Released: June 25, 1982
Type: Movie
In the winter of 1982, a twelve-man research team at a remote Antarctic research station discovers an alien buried in the snow for over 100,000 years. Soon unfrozen, the form-changing creature wreaks havoc, creates terror... and becomes one of them.
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The Making of 'The Thing'
Title: The Making of 'The Thing'
Character: Self
Released: June 9, 1982
Type: Movie
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Take One: Fear on Film
Title: Take One: Fear on Film
Character: Self
Released: January 1, 1982
Type: Movie
Mick Garris hosts this look at horror films with John Carpenter, John Landis and David Cronenberg all discussing their favorite scare films as well as what they think makes them work.
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Escape from New York
Title: Escape from New York
Character: Secret Service #2 / Helicopter Pilot / Violin Player
Released: May 23, 1981
Type: Movie
In a world ravaged by crime, the entire island of Manhattan has been converted into a walled prison where brutal prisoners roam. After the US president crash-lands inside, war hero Snake Plissken has 24 hours to bring him back.
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The Fog
Title: The Fog
Character: Bennett
Released: February 8, 1980
Type: Movie
Strange things begin to occurs as a tiny California coastal town prepares to commemorate its centenary. Inanimate objects spring eerily to life; Rev. Malone stumbles upon a dark secret about the town's founding; radio announcer Stevie witnesses a mystical fire; and hitchhiker Elizabeth discovers the mutilated corpse of a fisherman. Then a mysterious iridescent fog descends upon the village, and more people start to die.
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Fear on Film: Inside 'The Fog'
Title: Fear on Film: Inside 'The Fog'
Character: Self
Released: January 1, 1980
Type: Movie
Short documentary. Interviews with the cast & crew of 'The Fog'
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Halloween
Title: Halloween
Character: Paul (voice) / Michael Myers (uncredited)
Released: October 24, 1978
Type: Movie
Fifteen years after murdering his sister on Halloween Night 1963, Michael Myers escapes from a mental hospital and returns to the small town of Haddonfield, Illinois to kill again.
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Assault on Precinct 13
Title: Assault on Precinct 13
Character: Gang Member (uncredited)
Released: October 8, 1976
Type: Movie
The lone inhabitants of an abandoned police station are under attack by the overwhelming numbers of a seemingly unstoppable street gang.
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Dark Star
Title: Dark Star
Character: Talby Voice
Released: April 1, 1974
Type: Movie
A group of scientists are sent on a mission to destroy unstable planets. Twenty years into their mission, they have to battle their alien mascot as well as a "sensitive" and intelligent bombing device that starts to question the meaning of its existence.
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Title: The Rifleman
Released: September 30, 1958
Type: TV
The Rifleman is an American Western television program starring Chuck Connors as rancher Lucas McCain and Johnny Crawford as his son, Mark McCain. It was set in the 1880s in the town of North Fork, New Mexico Territory. The show was filmed in black-and-white, half-hour episodes. "The Rifleman" aired on ABC from September 30, 1958 to April 8, 1963 as a production of Four Star Television. It was one of the first prime time series to have a widowed parent raise a child.
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Title: Alfred Hitchcock Presents
Character: Self
Released: October 2, 1955
Type: TV
A television anthology series hosted by Alfred Hitchcock featuring dramas, thrillers, and mysteries.
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Carpenter on Quatermass
Title: Carpenter on Quatermass
Character: Self
Released: December 31, 1969
Type: Movie
John Carpenter discusses his love for The Quatermass Xperiment
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The Reality Trip
Title: The Reality Trip
Character: self
Released: December 31, 1969
Type: Movie
Documentary celebrating the centenary of cinema which looks at how technological innovations - from widescreen to 3D, Cinerama to Showscan and IMAX - have shaped our perception of reality. Featuring exclusive footage of the making of Hollywood's first 3D IMAX film, 'Wings of Courage', and rare interviews with and footage of many of cinema's key pioneers.
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Hollywood Trailblazer: The Debra Hill Story
Title: Hollywood Trailblazer: The Debra Hill Story
Released: December 31, 1969
Type: Movie
Debra Hill's documentary tells the story of her multifaceted life and of inspiring filmmakers around the world, and her legacy as a creative producer, mentor, film pioneer and activist is an enduring one.