Blu-ray Review: CHILDREN SHOULDN'T PLAY WITH DEAD THINGS (1972)

CHILDREN SHOULDN'T PLAY WITH DEAD THINGS
Directed by  Bob Clark
Distributed by VCI Entertainment

 Tonight's review is another great example of a film I've always heard about, but have never had the chance to see.   CHILDREN SHOULDN'T PLAY WITH DEAD THINGS  is a must have for any zombie film fan.  Here is the basic plot of the film courtesy of the VCI website:

 Led by a mean-spirited director, Alan (Alan Ormsby), a theater troupe travels by boat to a small island graveyard for buried criminals. Using a grimoire, Alan begins a séance to raise the dead. The group finds more than they bargained for when the dead return from their graves, forcing the troupe to take refuge in an old abandoned caretaker’s house. Can they stay put until daylight against the undead onslaught, or do they flee into the pitch black night? Will anyone survive?

  First off, let me be more accurate in my statement from above.  This film is  must have for any low-budget and campy zombie film fan.  I think TV shows like THE WALKING DEAD and big budget zombie films have us used to amazing looking zombies and effects.   You gotta remember this film is from the early 70's, so the zombie makeup/effects are a lot different from what we see nowadays.  I'm not saying they are bad by any means, but just different.    

  I have to admit the films starts off pretty slowly.  I checked the running time and it is listed as 87 minutes, but this film seemed quite a bit longer than that.  It's slow going in the beginning, but stick with it and you will be rewarded with a really fun zombie film.  Once the zombie action does start, it never lets up.  This film has some great camera angles and some very creepy scenes and imagery.   One of my favorite scenes is when it is pitch black outside, and the people locked in the house point a flashlight out the window to see the zombies.   The camera pan to the right and all you see is pitch blackness until a zombie comes into sight under the light of the flashlight.  This is very spooky and a very effective scene.  

  One more thing worth noting was the sound/music.  A lot of the film is set out in a graveyard and the background music and sound effects are very eerie.  If you could isolate that background music and sounds it would be the perfect haunted house music.   

  CHILDREN SHOULDN'T PLAY WITH DEAD THINGS is available now from VCI Entertainment.   The film looks great on this newly restored film transfer and includes the following amazing special features:

*  Liner Notes written by Mike Kenny, Mike’s Pop Culture Playhouse
*  Reversable Coverwrap with Optional Fan-Inspired 3rd Cover Art
*  Commentary Track with Alan Ormsby, Jane Daly and Anya Cronin: accompanies the HD feature
*  Bonus: Complete alternate “U.K.” version, with commentary by Alan Ormsby hosted by David      Gregory, Severin Films
*  Memories of Bob Clark: A tribute to the late Director.
*  Grindhouse Q&A
*  Confessions of a Grave Digger: Interview with Ken Goch
*  Photo Gallery
*  “Dead Girls Don’t Say No” Music video by The Deadthings
*  “Cemetery Mary” Music video by The Deadthings
*  Tribute Video
*  Original Theatrical Trailer
*  Radio Spots with Alan Ormsby


CLICK HERE to watch the trailer
CLICK HERE to purchase the Blu-ray

DVD Review: CHILDREN SHOULDN'T PLAY WITH DEAD THINGS (1973)

   
------Review by contributing writer Scott Baker------
    
CHILDREN SHOULDN'T PLAY WITH DEAD THINGS
Directed by: Bob Clark
Distributed by:  VCI ENTERTAINMENT
 
 

Holy cow...I just watched a horror movie that came out before I was even born! And you know what? It was actually pretty good! CHILDREN SHOULDN’T PLAY WITH DEAD THINGS is one of those films I have seen on video store shelves for decades, but just never picked up for some reason. So when Hayes presented me with the opportunity to review it, I though “Heck yeah...this actually gives me a reason to watch it!

 

If you are not familiar with CHILDREN SHOULDN’T PLAY WITH DEAD THINGS, here is the plot synopsis from the VCI Entertainment website:

  
Led by a mean-spirited director, Alan (Alan Ormsby), a theater troupe travels by boat to a small island graveyard for buried criminals. Using a grimoire, Alan begins a séance to raise the dead. The group finds more than they bargained for when the dead return from their graves, forcing the troupe to take refuge in an old abandoned caretaker’s house. Can they stay put until daylight against the undead onslaught, or do they flee into the pitch black night? Will anyone survive?

   

I wasn’t sure what to expect going into this film. I mean, with it being so old, would it stand the test of time and be comparable to titles that have been made recently? Needless to say, I had some hesitation.

   

But lo and behold, the film is really fun and very entertaining. I found myself laughing one moment and being surprised the next. CHILDREN SHOULDN’T PLAY WITH DEAD THINGS is like a haunted house ride that veers out of control and eventually runs away with you.

 

The special effects look pretty good, considering how dated they are. And the zombies themselves are very reminiscent of Romero’s dead in NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD. These two aspects were huge draws for me immediately. Add to that some interesting dialogue and a witty script, and you can see how this film can be entertaining.

 

I especially enjoyed the banter coming from director (in the movie) Alan in regard to the corpse Orville. It comes across as both hilarious and extremely creepy at the same time. And, when Orville finally gets up and seeks his revenge...well, let’s just say that Alan gets what he deserves and then some.

 

My sole complaint about CHILDREN SHOULDN’T PLAY WITH DEAD THINGS is how it ended. [SPOILER ALERT] I don’t think zombies would know how to handle a boat, let alone even have the mental capacity to consider it. I’m sure director Bob Clark was setting the film up for a sequel, but it just doesn’t work for me.

 

Still, CHILDREN SHOULDN’T PLAY WITH DEAD THINGS is a winner for me, and it should be on your To-Watch List. I would grab a couple of friends and watch it as a group; this is one of those films that invokes a lot of discussion and ad-libbing. Give this one a look for sure.

 

-MSB-

 

 

CLICK HERE to watch the trailer
CLICK HERE to purchase the DVD