Alright fellow tapeheads, let’s rewind to a time when Halloween specials felt a little wilder, a little weirder, and definitely weren't afraid to jam a full-blown musical number into a zombie uprising. Remember stumbling across The Midnight Hour late one Friday night on ABC, maybe adjusting the tracking just right on your VCR? Originally broadcast just after Halloween in 1985 (November 1st, to be exact!), this made-for-TV movie became an instant cult favorite for anyone lucky enough to catch it, a staple rental for spooky season sleepovers. It’s a glorious slice of 80s cheese that blends teen comedy, genuine creepiness, and some truly unforgettable musical moments into something uniquely charming.
### When Halloween Night Goes Wrong (In the Best Way)
The setup is pure 80s teen flick comfort food: It's Halloween in the small town of Pitchford Cove (played convincingly by Stockton, California – giving it that perfect Anywhere, USA vibe), and high schooler Phil (Lee Montgomery, familiar to genre fans from Ben and Burnt Offerings) and his pals decide larking about in the local graveyard is a top-tier idea. Naturally, they stumble upon an ancient curse linked to Phil's ancestor, accidentally unleashing not just a vengeful witch, but hordes of the undead upon their unsuspecting town. What follows is less a straightforward horror narrative and more a bizarre, episodic party crashing by ghouls, ghosts, and goofy monsters, all converging on the big Halloween bash.
Directed by Jack Bender – yes, the same Jack Bender who would later helm iconic episodes of Lost, The Sopranos, and Game of Thrones! – The Midnight Hour has that distinct, slightly rushed energy common to TV movies of the era, but Bender injects it with a surprising amount of visual flair and genuine atmosphere. He leans into the inherent silliness but doesn't shy away from some effectively spooky moments, particularly involving the lead witch, Melissa (Shari Belafonte, radiating charisma and rocking some killer vampy outfits).
### That Music Though! And Those Groaning, Dancing Dead!
Let's be honest, the element everyone remembers is the music. The soundtrack is packed with 80s hits (though licensing issues notoriously made official releases tricky for years, adding to its VHS mystique), but the centerpiece is the titular "Midnight Hour" sequence. As Wilson Pickett's classic tune blasts, the newly risen dead, decked out in their finest (decaying) threads, launch into a surprisingly elaborate dance routine right there in the town square. Choreographed by Doran Pasto, it’s impossible not to see the shadow of Michael Jackson’s Thriller (released just two years prior) looming large. Yet, achieved on what was undoubtedly a much tighter TV movie budget, the sheer audacity and infectious energy of the scene are undeniable. Was it maybe a little goofy seeing zombies trying to boogie? Absolutely. Was it awesome anyway? You bet your bottom dollar.
The practical effects are, well, practical. This is peak 80s creature makeup – lots of latex, some variable quality gore, and endearingly clunky monster designs. You won't find smooth CGI here; instead, you get tangible ghouls lurching about, their movements perhaps less fluid than modern zombies, but possessing a certain handcrafted charm. Remember how those glowing eyes or decaying faces looked genuinely creepy on a fuzzy CRT screen late at night? There's a tactile quality to the horror here, a reminder of a time when scares were built, not rendered. We even get some fun werewolf action and ghostly apparitions, all adding to the delightful Halloween grab-bag feel.
### A Cast of Familiar Faces
Beyond Montgomery's earnest lead and Belafonte's scene-stealing turn as the resurrected sorceress, the cast is a fun who's-who of 80s television and film. You've got LeVar Burton (Geordi La Forge himself from Star Trek: The Next Generation, which would premiere just two years later!) as the wisecracking Vinnie, Peter DeLuise (21 Jump Street) as the jock Mitch, and recognizable faces like Dedee Pfeiffer and Jonna Lee among the imperiled teens. They all commit wholeheartedly to the absurdity, selling both the scares and the often-corny jokes with infectious enthusiasm. It feels like watching a bunch of actors having a genuinely good time on set, which translates directly to the viewer's enjoyment.
### More Treat Than Trick
The Midnight Hour isn't high art, nor does it try to be. It's a product of its time – a network TV movie designed for broad appeal, blending popular genres (teen comedy, horror, music video) into an entertaining, if slightly uneven, package. Some jokes land harder than others, and the plot logic occasionally takes a backseat to spectral shenanigans. But its earnestness, its killer soundtrack, Shari Belafonte's iconic performance, and that unforgettable dance sequence elevate it beyond mere nostalgia viewing. It captures a specific type of 80s Halloween energy – slightly dangerous, undeniably goofy, and set to a rocking beat. The film knew exactly what it was and leaned into its strengths: atmosphere, music, and pure, unadulterated fun. Finding this tape felt like uncovering a secret handshake among horror fans back in the day.
VHS Heaven Rating: 7/10
Justification: While hampered slightly by its TV movie budget and occasional narrative wobbles, The Midnight Hour scores high on pure nostalgic fun, memorable set pieces (especially the dance!), a killer soundtrack, and Shari Belafonte's captivating performance. The practical effects and 80s aesthetic are charmingly dated but effective within context. It perfectly encapsulates a specific, weird, wonderful moment in broadcast horror history.
Final Thought: It’s the ultimate 80s Halloween party tape – maybe a little faded, definitely a bit weird, but crank up the volume, ignore the occasional fuzzy logic, and you’ll still find yourself tapping your feet when the dead start dancing.