‘It’s harvest time!’
Jack-O is a 1995 American comedic horror film about a murdered farmer who has returned from the dead to avenge himself.
Directed by Steve Latshaw (Return of the Killer Shrews; Death Mask; Biohazard: The Alien Force; Vampire Trailer Park) from a screenplay written by producer Patrick Moran (Cheerleader Massacre 2; Dire Wolf aka Dino Wolf; Dark Universe), based on a story by executive producer Fred Olen Ray and Brad Linaweaver.
The American Independent Productions movie stars Linnea Quigley, Maddisen K. Krown, Gary Doles and Ryan Latshaw. Genre regulars John Carradine and Cameron Mitchell have minor cameo roles,
Reviews:
80s Horror Central YouTube review
“Amid confusing flashback sequences and some phony occult blathering (courtesy of the town witch), we’re told that Jack-O is the incarnation of a murdered farmer […] Even allowing for a certain camp appeal, there’s not an original concept to be found amid the abundant nudity and severed limbs.” All Movie
“There’s a lot of people, but none can act and most are just victim fodder. The special effects are terrible (the lightning and electrocution are especially bad) and the line deliveries are emotionless. It does manage to be entertaining in spite of itself.” Down Among the Z Movies
“Jack-O follows the B-movie playbook step by step. Blood, breasts, bad acting, repeat. If you’re a B-movie fan, you’ll find something to like.” Doctor Gore’s Movie Reviews
“I wouldn’t even recommend it for people looking for a bad film to laugh at. There are plenty more guilty pleasures out there without having to resort to spending eighty-eight minutes with Jack.” Popcorn Pictures
“Everything from the killer’s laughable Jack O’ Lantern head to the way that his urban legend is spread through rhymes that my six-year-old daughter could have written is the cinematic equivalent of a fondue festival. Olen Ray has once again rushed out a nonsensical screenplay, which is overflowing with make-believe characters, impossible situations and basically poor screenwriting.” A Slash Above…
“The acting is an abomination, and the dialog induces headaches, but such failings lead to a somewhat-fun experience. Nothing new, but the body count is relatively high.” Splatter Critic
“Frustratingly uneven pacing and a killer who flits all over the place at will gets under your skin more than the sickle appears to – but death by toaster is a high point. The most interesting factor is the appearances of Carradine and Mitchell, both of whom died before the film was released.” Vegan Voorhees
“Jack-O is a special kind of enjoyable holiday garbage. Is it a well-made movie? No, not at all. It’s very, very f*cking bad in almost every respect. But it fails in such entertaining and oblivious ways, that I find myself watching it once a year, right around the time the pop-up costume stores open their doors for business.” Video Religion
MOVIES and MANIA rating:
Trailer:
Cast and characters:
Linnea Quigley … Carolyn Miller
Maddisen K. Krown … Linda Kelly (as Rebecca Wicks)
Gary Doles … David Kelly
Ryan Latshaw … Sean/David Kelly
Catherine Walsh … Vivian Machen
Rachel Carter … Julie Miller
Tom Ferda … Jim
Bill Cross … Richard Watson
Helen Keeling … Amanda Watson
Thor Schweigerath … Robbie
Christina Connell … Sarah
Kelly Lacy … Shannon
George Castells … Brent
Bernie Fidello … Simms
Michael Walsh … Paul
Mike Conner … Arthur Kelly
Katy Maznicki … Eunice Kelly
Steve Latshaw … Cable Installer
Ron Bernard … Rush Gingbaw
Rick Riggs … Daniel Kelly
Rhonda Riggs … Jewell Kelly
Tom Ferguson … Tom Mason
John Carradine … Walter Machen
Cameron Mitchell … Doctor Cadaver
Brinke Stevens … Witch
Dawn Wildsmith … Sorceress
Heidi Kneisl … The Hell Pigs
Kerrylynn Dekanski … The Hell Pigs
Joe Solari … The Hell Pigs
Patrick Moran … Jack-O-Lantern
Filming locations:
Florida
Salem, Massachusetts – cemetery scenes with Brinke Stevens
Technical details:
1 hour 28 minutes
Film Facts:
As the movie was shot in February and March 1993 over weekends, director Steve Latshaw had to purchase the pumpkins featured in the film in advance in November 1992.
John Carradine‘s scenes were filmed in December 1985.
This was the film role for Cameron Mitchell (as TV horror host Doctor Cadaver) who died on July 6th 1994.
Director Steve Latshaw has a cameo as the cable installer. He is credited under the pseudonym “Vic Savage”, an in-joke reference to actor/director Vic Savage who produced, directed and played the lead in the infamous The Creeping Terror (1964).
