As horror fans, we make it our business to know the most obscure details about our favorite films. We watch the bonus features on the Special Edition releases of our favorite DVDs; we read retrospectives and interviews in support of our most beloved titles. But even the most diligent fan is bound to miss something along the way. So, to help you get the lowdown, we're launching a new segment that rounds up some lesser-known trivia from your favorite horror films.
For this installment, we're setting our sights on the classic slasher film Black Christmas. There are plenty of well-known talking points regarding Black Christmas but we have rounded up some slightly more obscure facts that may even enlighten even the super fan.
Now, we present to you: twelve things you may not have known about Bob Clark’s Black Christmas.
During the filming of the infamous phone call sequences, there was nothing playing on the other end of the phone. All of the dialogue from the other end of the line was added in postproduction.
To make the actresses, appear surprised Bob Clark was calling out crude remarks to the girls while shooting the phone call scenes. However, what he was saying to the ladies was reportedly tame in comparison to the filthy conversation we hear in the finished version of the film.
There were three different people that provided the obscene dialogue for the phone calls.
Bob Clark revealed that Nick Mancuso, an unnamed actress, and Clark, himself recorded the phone dialogue.
Actress Gilda Radner was attached to play Phyllis.
Gilda Radner was reportedly involved with the film but had to withdraw from the project because the production abutted her schedule at SNL.
The film was originally released for US audiences as Silent Night, Evil Night.
There was concern that the title Black Christmas may lead potential viewers to believe it to be a ‘Blaxploitation” picture, rather than a horror movie, thus the title change for the film’s initial release.
Though Black Christmas is widely regarded as one of the first slasher films, Bob Clark didn’t necessarily think of it as such.
The late director was known to say that he thought of the picture more along the lines of a psychological horror film than a slasher flick.
Kier Dullea was not the first choice to play Peter.
The role was offered to Malcolm McDowell but McDowell turned down the part.
Kier Dullea only appeared on set for one week.
The actor was on set for such a short time that he didn’t even meet Margot Kidder during the production process. But since Dullea’s scenes appear throughout the film, it’s easy to assume he was there throughout the 40-day shoot.
Bette Davis was originally offered the role of Mrs. Mac.
Before the part was given to Marian Waldman, Bette Davis was approached to play the housemother.
A variety of unconventional instruments were used in the composition of the film’s creepy score.
Composer Carl Zittrer tied silverware to the strings inside of a piano to cause the warped and distorted noises that accompany the film.
Olivia Hussey took the role at the suggestion of a psychic.
Hussey’s ‘spiritual advisor’ believed that the film would be a big hit and a smart career move for Hussey.
The snow in the film is made of foam.
Black Christmas was shot during a year with very little snowfall, so a Styrofoam-like substance was used to provide the appearance of snow for certain scenes.
John Saxon was brought in at the last minute to replace Edmond O’Brien.
Saxon replaced Edmond O’Brien when O’Brien was unable to play the part due to illness.
Be sure to check out these as well: