Children Shouldn't Play with Dead Things

For the episode of the television series Supernatural, see Children Shouldn't Play With Dead Things (Supernatural).

Children Shouldn't Play With Dead Things
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Bob Clark
Produced by	Bob Clark Gary Gochl Peter James
Written by	Bob Clark Alan Ormsby
Starring	Alan Ormsby
Music by	Carl Zittrer
Cinematography	Jack McGowan
Editing by	Gary Goch
Release date(s)	1972
Running time	87 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English

Children Shouldn't Play with Dead Things (also known as Revenge of the Living Dead, Things From the Dead, and Zreaks) is a 1972 comedic horror film directed by Bob Clark. This low-budget zombie movie is the third film of director Bob Clark, later becoming famous for directing the films Black Christmas, A Christmas Story, and Porky's.

The film was shot in 14 days on a budget of $70,000 Clark employed some of his college friends on it. Encyclopedia of Horror concludes that given the budget and the number of personnel involved, the special effects (by Ormsby himself) are "surprisingly effective".^[1]

Plot

The story focusses on a theatre troupe, led by Alan (Alan Ormsby). He is a mean-spirited director, who travels with the others by boat to a small island for buried criminals to have a night of fun and games. Once on the island Alan tells his group he calls his "children" numerous stories relating to the island's history and buried inhabitants. At midnight using a grimoire, Alan begins a séance to raise the dead after digging up the body of a man named Orville Dunworth (Seth Sklarey). Though the original intent of the ritual may have been solely as a joke, Alan appears disappointed that nothing happens.

Afterwards the party continues and Alan goes to extremes to degrade the actors, using the corpse of Orville for his own sick jokes. Then, however, animated by the fell ritual, the dead return to life and force the troupe to take refuge in the old house. They must decide whether it's best to stay put until day, provided the old house holds up against the undead onslaught, try all to escape through the pitch black cemetery and forest to the boat, or have one person try this and bring back help. Unfortunately for the group, the dead get their revenge, and in the movie's closing credits we see the group of corpses boarding Alan's boat with the lights of Miami in the background.

Reception

According to review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, Children Shouldn't Play with Dead Things received generally mixed reviews, with 50% of critics giving the film a good review.

DVD

Although previously available on VHS, a 35th anniversary special edition DVD was released in 2007 by VCI Entertainment. It features the uncut version of the film, a photo gallery, and a cast commentary. The same content was briefly made available on VHS through Anchor Bay Entertainment.

Remake

In November 2010 was confirmed that Gravesend Film Enterprises produce the remake, the film is set to begin with shootings in spring 2011.^[2] As of September 2011 there are confirmed reports that George Romero may have an impact of the direction of this film.

Notes

1. ^ Milne, Tom. Willemin, Paul. Hardy, Phil. (Ed.) Encyclopedia of Horror, Octopus Books, 1986. ISBN 0-7064-2771-8 p 272
2. ^ Children Shouldn't Play With Dead Things : UHM - Upcoming Horror Movies

External links

• Children Shouldn't Play with Dead Things at the Internet Movie Database
• Children Shouldn't Play With Dead Things at AllRovi
• Movie Tome listing
• Children Shouldn't Play With Dead Things at Rotten Tomatoes