Welcome, weary horror fans and reluctant thrill-seekers, to another installment of the Scaredy-Cat Club, where the screams are mild, the gore is minimal, and the horror is always served with a wink. This time, we're venturing beyond the “boomstick” to spotlight three Bruce Campbell flicks that even the most horror-averse can stomach.
While Campbell is best known for his chainsaw-swinging antics in The Evil Dead, his filmography stretches far beyond blood-soaked cabins and demonic possessions. Whether you're a newbie to the genre or just prefer your scares with a side of slapstick, these picks are perfect for easing into the cult king’s campy corner of cinema with no bravery badge required.
In this film, Sundown: The Vampire in Retreat, Campbell features as a descendant of the vampire hunter Van Helsing. It was directed by Anthony Hickox and written by John Burgess and Anthony Hickox. It stars David Carradine, Morgan Brittany, and Bruce Campbell.
The last remaining vampires have decided to find peace in a secluded desert town called Purgatory. They are protected by sunblock and are in the process of setting up a blood substitute plant. However, there are vampires among them that are trying to sabotage their efforts to live and coexist with humans. Mardulak, the leader of the vampires, enlists the help of a human scientist, who brings his family, unaware of what they are getting into. At the same time, the descendant of a vampire hunter goes in search of his destiny.
Bruce Campbell shines in whatever film or television production he’s in, and this film is no exception. I would like to point out that the trailer would have the viewer think that he is in from start to finish alongside David Carradine, and that is not the case. The story centers around the scientist and his family, and a cowboy western-style war between two factions of vampires. Those who wish to drink human blood and those who don’t. Even though he's not in a “starring role”, Campbell’s portrayal of the descendant of Van Helsing is silly and heartwarming as he tries his best to be the vampire hunter he’s destined to be, and yet it is hard for him not to fall for the beautiful blonde vampire, making doe eyes at him.
David Carradine as the vampire leader is absolutely brilliant! My only regret with this film is that I wish there had been more scenes with Bruce and David. I would recommend this film for your spooky season viewing list.
From fighting vampires, we next see Bruce facing an alien invasion in a Sy-Fy channel original film called Terminal Invasion. It was directed by Sean S. Cunningham and was written by Lewis Abernathy, John Jarrell and Robinson Young. It stars Bruce Campbell, Chase Masterson, and C. David Johnson.
Aliens disguise themselves as human, while a death row inmate named Jack commandeers a rural airport during a snowstorm. To survive, the people trapped inside must determine which of their own is not of this Earth.
For a cable TV movie, it is really good. In my opinion, it is a B+ sci-fi movie. Bruce Campbell and Chase Masterson have great chemistry. This is classic B sci-fi, campy, fun and not too over-the-top when it comes to acting. It is definitely a popcorn muncher and should be put on any spooky watchlist!
No movie list about Bruce Campbell would be complete without this film. My Name Is Bruce, released on April 13, 2007, and directed by the king of camp himself, Bruce Campbell! It was written by Mark Verheiden, and it stars Bruce Campbell, Taylor Sharpe and Logan Martin.
Four teenage kids from the tiny mining town of Gold Lick vandalize a nineteenth-century cemetery of Chinese laborers when one of them disturbs a demon who's been guarding the souls of 100 workers killed in a cave-in. Jeff, the surviving teen, goes in search of his hero, over-the-hill B-movie star Bruce Campbell. Jeff kidnaps the actor and brings him to Gold Lick to save the town. Bruce thinks it's a birthday treat engineered by his agent, so he plays along, humoring the townsfolk and chatting up Jeff's unimpressed mom. Bodies pile up as the demon slashes. What will the sorry, boozy Bruce do when he realizes that Guan-Di, the demon, is real!?
This entire film is a love letter to Bruce Campbell fans! There are so many Easter eggs just in his ultimate fans’ room, with posters of Evil Dead, and a cowboy costume that resembles the one he wore as Briscoe County Jr. The best part about Bruce Campbell is how much he loves acting, as well as not being afraid to poke fun at himself. That’s what makes him the king, baby!
This meeting has now come to a close. I hope the cinematic choices leave you not with a faint heart, but with a scream of laughter.
What’s your favorite Bruce Campbell movie? Did you enjoy this article? You may also want to check out The Scaredy-Cat Club Presents: 3 Action Movies So Good It's Supernatural.
