Years before streaming services and premium cable television channels released feature films, regular broadcast stations like ABC and CBS had their own originals. That is right, long before Netflix’s onslaught of subpar original films, there was something called The ABC Movie of the Week. In a segment that ran between 1969 and 1975, the themes were varied, but in the Horror realm some very memorable titles would have to include 1973’s Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark, 1975’s Trilogy of Terror, and 1978’s The Initiation of Sarah. Just a few of them from ABC, CBS was also keeping up with the Jones; putting out recognizable titles like 1978’s Are You in the House Alone?, but also less popular ones, like 1978’s Death Moon. Fortunately, with premium cable channels like HBO not completely popularized yet in culture, made-for-television movies lived on through the ‘80s with other surprising Horror gems popping up… like Dark Night of the Scarecrow.
Originally premiering through CBS on October 24, 1981, on a Saturday night before people were engulfed in the meaningless abyss of their personal devices, Dark Night of the Scarecrow shocked quite a few on their couches with their freshly made popcorn. For starters, the film actually featured a pretty compelling story, solid acting, and an impossibly eerie atmosphere. Holding its own as a contender for one of the best Horror films of 1981, next to theatrical motion picture productions like Friday the 13th Part 2, An American Werewolf in London, and The Howling, Dark Night of the Scarecrow still strikes a chord decades later.
Directed by Frank De Felitta (who is best known as the brilliant author of classic Horror novels like 1975’s Audrey Rose and 1978’s The Entity), the film also features a highly equipped cast including Larry Drake (Darkman 1990, Dr. Giggles 1992), Charles Durning (The Sting 1973, Dog Day Afternoon 1975), Lane Smith (My Cousin Vinny 1992, Son in Law 1993), Jocelyn Brando (Marlon Brando’s older sister, and known for her role in 1953’s Big Heat), and a very young Tonya Crowe (best known for her later role as Olivia Cunningham in Knots Landing). With this in mind, the story by J.D. Feigelson followed a gentle, mentally challenged man Charles Eliot “Bubba” Ritter (Drake) who has an innocent friendship with a sweet, non-judgmental girl named Marylee Williams (Crowe). Tragically, Marylee is thought to have been killed in an accident, and naturally, the town immediately points a finger at Bubba. Hunting him down like an animal, they mercilessly murder the innocent man, but will his spirit seek revenge?
Simple enough to follow, where Dark Night of the Scarecrow excels with its attention to creating a very dark, ominous atmosphere. Sticking with you, it is no wonder that anyone who recalls the world premiere of the film back in 1981 on CBS still gets shivers to this day. Fortunately, it had life beyond that; because it was re-broadcasted by CBS in 1985, in the mid-1980s made its way to VHS in local video stores, and in 2010 had a screening as part of the Texas Frightmare Weekend. Not the end, later in 2010 VCI Entertainment offered the film for the first time on DVD, before a Blu-ray release in 2011, followed by a re-release to DVD in 2012. Showing there is still plenty of love to be had, now in 2024 MVD Visual has teamed with VCI Entertainment to offer fans Dark Night of the Scarecrow for the first time ever in a 4K Ultra High-Definition format.
Released on September 10th both in a 2-disc 4K set, as well as a Blu-ray set, the release is called Dark Night of the Scarecrows: Ultimate Collector’s Edition Double Feature. Giving you Dark Night of the Scarecrow fully remastered in 4K UHD, the effort is superb; presenting cleaned-up imagery, and vivid colors free of washout, while the lighting is expectational bright. Enough to sell this set, it will delight fans in every way possible. This is enough minus the extra features, but those include a new 2023 Dark Night of the Scarecrow Triple Fan commentary track, the original Dark Night of the Scarecrow commentary track with J.D. Feigelson and Frank DeFelitta, a new 2023 Dark Night of the Scarecrow commentary by J.D. Feigelson, a feature called Bubba Didn’t Do It: 30 Years of the Scarecrow by Daniel Griffith, a Dark Night of the Scarecrows cast reunion Q&A recorded at the 2011 Frightfest Film Festival, plus the 1981 CBS World Premiere broadcast promo and 1985 CBS Network rebroadcast promo.
Well done, it should not be overlooked that this set is also combined with the 2021 sequel, Dark Night of the Scarecrow 2. Also presented in 4K, the fact that it is bundled in with the original classic may turn off some fans. However, if you are someone who appreciates a complete set, it might be of interest to watch, if not at least own. In truth, the sequel is something many wanted to embrace with open arms, but sadly it falls short on numerous levels. Nonetheless, it is here on both the 4K and Blu-ray releases… so take it or leave it, but do not let it ruin your day.
In the end, the transfer to 4K of Dark Night of the Scarecrow is top-notch and a delightful way to honor the film. This factor is most significantly considered; Cryptic Rock gives the Dark Night of the Scarecrows: Ultimate Collector’s Edition Double Feature sets 4.5 out of 5 stars.
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