Why is Halloween so important to me…what is it with this movie that started my fascination with it? In 1978 I was 7 years old and I remember seeing the TV Spots, the Newpaper Ads and hearing the Radio Spots. Hearing that Halloween theme and watching the TV Spots with the flickering pumpkin at the end just was so cool to me. I remember trying to draw the Halloween artwork and my parents just trying to grasp what it is about this movie that I found so interesting.
First, I was not going to be able to see a rated R movie…no way, no how. Second…why Halloween? To answer the first part, I saw the NBC premier of Halloween in 1981, and my imagination just got fueled more when they showed the TV Spot for Halloween II during it! (I tried to watch Halloween on HBO in 1980 but my plans were foiled by my older brothers and sister telling my Mom of my plans! Curses!) But again…why Halloween? I think I finally understand now…after today why…the advertising.
The Newspaper Ads with the artwork and the tag line just left that image in my head. “The Night HE Came Home!” For a young kid, those words left a measurable impression. So, today I got a BIG grail item for me; it’s probably not a BIG deal at all to the board, but it answers a LOT of questions about what the heck was going on inside of Compass International between 1978 and 1981.
We all know the story of how Irwin Yablans had an idea…took that idea to John Carpenter…John Carpenter had to sell that idea to Akkad…Carpenter makes the idea into a movie…the idea isn’t a big hit…but after word of mouth spreads, the idea becomes a HUGE hit…the end. A short synopsis with a general tone, but in reality…without all of the drama.
That idea really had to be sold…hard, to Akkad. He was not interested in Halloween at all; nothing “clicked” about Halloween with Akkad. As the hopes of Halloween’s production fading, Yablans threw out a final jab at Akkads pride saying…“Maybe you don’t have the money to lose.” Akkad, being a very prideful man, gave the money for Halloween’s production and Halloween began filming. During the filming of Halloween, Yablans would be in constant contact with Akkad but Akkad didn’t care at all about Halloween…almost like he was above Halloween and Akkad did not personally want to be linked with the movie. When Halloween was finished being assembled, Yablans showed Akkad the movie. Akkad was quiet through the movie and Yablans felt something was wrong as they walked to their cars from the productions office. Yablans told Akkad the movie looks great, has great pacing and he (Akkad) should make his return very quickly. Finally, Akkad spit out what was on his mind…“Where’s my credit? Where’s my name?” A man whom, during production, didn’t want to be associated with the movie, now wants his name on it. Yablans gives Akkad the only credit left that he can give Akkad, the Opening Card…“Irwin Yablans Presents” now becomes “Moustapha Akkad Presents” and Yablans has regretted it ever since.
1978 Newspaper Ad Slick
1979/1980 Newspaper Ad Slick
Yablans and Akkad did not get along very well during the business relationship it seems and in 1981, right before Halloween II’s pre-production, they ended Compass International over something as petty as…Yablans wanting a raise in salary that was unchanged since the companies formation in 1977.
In May of 1981, Yablans released Halloween back in Theaters and Drive Inns in America with this Ad Slick. Notice the title card with his name and no mention of Compass International or Akkad. (I’ve heard of this ad, but I have never seen one. To have an original is unbelievable. Normal ads are put on glossy thin paper and made by a company. This ad, was made by Yablans himself and put on regular Xerox paper and shipped out. The hand written column specs are Yablans own handwriting. With all of the edits being done to other horror movies with the MPAA, Yablans wisely added “Uncut” to one of the tag lines.)
Information provided by the book “The Man Who Created Halloween” by Irwin Yablans.
Very in depth and informative thread, and I for one personally appreciate you taking the time and for sharing this info. 