It’s okay if you haven’t heard of Scream for Help, the ‘80s obscurity written by Tom Holland (Child’s Play/Fright Night) and directed by Michael Winner (Death Wish 1,2,3). The film, which just hit Blu-ray this week thanks to Scream Factory, was originally released in theaters back in 1984 with a resounding thud, then was released on VHS two years later and was never really heard from again. That was, until a 35mm print was unearthed and found its way into Philadelphia’s Exhumed Films 24 Hour Horror-thon back in 2016, where the film screened at 12:45 am for an unsuspecting crowd with no title listed and just the vague description “sleazy, over-the-top, horror thriller.” “Sleazy and over-the-top” was an understatement; I was floored by the sheer audacity of Scream and couldn’t wait to share with fellow appreciators of “so bad it’s good” cinema. The only problem was, up until now it had been out of print for over three decades.
Scream for Help is the story of a 17-year-old too smart for her own good, Christie Cromwell, played by Rachael Kelly in her lone theatrical role. Christie lives in the affluent suburb of New Rochelle and is sure her stepfather Paul Fox is out to kill her wealthy mother to inherit her fortune. But because she’s a kid, no one believes her. What makes Scream for Help so insane is it’s infused with this ‘80s after school special vibe, as Christie is forced play detective and investigate her adulterous stepfather to find the proof to make her mother and those around her believe her. This playful vibe is juxtaposed with some pretty gruesome violence and gratuitous sex that seems to almost come out of nowhere. For example, Christie’s best friend Janey, in a rather heartwarming moment, confesses she’s pregnant by their friend Josh, only to be hit by a car seconds later in a scene that is as grisly as it is laugh out loud over the top. Five minutes don’t pass till Christie decides to lose her virginity to Janey’s boyfriend in a sex scene that would make The Room cringe in its sheer awkwardness.
The film is presented here on Blu-ray in a brand new 2k scan from original elements, and for those who have only caught this oddity on VHS you will be very pleased to see this bright and crisp new transfer. The film is paired with a brief interview with David Allen Brooks, who played the stepfather in the film, who reflects rather nostalgically on the film. The disc also features an interview with writer Tom Holland, who is anything but complimentary about the film and doesn’t mince words stating his disdain for it. It’s an odd mix that is put into context thanks to a commentary by The Hysteria Lives!, who do a deep dive into the making of the film, dishing up some great bits on how the planets aligned to create the madness that is Scream for Help. It’s a film that may not have gotten a second glance from most labels, but it feels like Scream Factory delivered the best package possible.
Scream for Help is the kind of film that’s unearthed once every few years that makes you wonder how many more of these hidden gems are still out there, like a Boardinghouse or a Raw Force waiting to be found. With its stilted dialog and ham-fisted performances, it’s a film that’s best enjoyed with a few friends and an alcoholic beverage or two to take care of that pesky suspension of disbelief. Scream is a film that has to be seen to be believed, as it does this bizarre transition from this after school special on crack into a home invasion flick that is as equally bizarre, inept, and intentionally hilarious as the first half. I can’t sing the praises of Scream for Help enough, and now thanks to Scream Factory, more people can experience this film. The biggest shame here is that Rachael Kelly, who is nothing short of amazing in her role, retired from acting after the film was completed, never to be heard from again.
