Screamplay's 4K restoration injects new life into an endearing oddball film
Rufus Butler Seder's Screamplay is a hodgepodge of its influences, including Nosferatu and German Expressionism more broadly, cheesy horror and sci-movies from the 1940s and 1950s, and even melodramas. It's all pulled together by a murder mystery at the heart of the film. Now, the movie is touring the U.S. in a brand-new 4K restoration, and it's definitely worth the cost of a ticket. Initially released in 1984, the film is such an oddball, and it's a delight to catch on the big screen for its visuals, which again represent the film's diverse influences.
Seder co-wrote, directed, and stars in the film as the screenwriter Edgar Allan, who just moved to L.A. He spends as much time as he can conjuring up grisly tales about murder and mayhem, and he only pries himself away from his typewriter to work at a flea-infested apartment complex, run by the super sleezy Martin (George Kuchar). The two meet after Edgar is mugged during his first night in Tinseltown and Martin kills the culprit, thus saving Edgar. At his job, Edgar encounters a host of kooky characters, including other writers and starlets with the Hollywood twinkle in their eye. Some of my favorites include an actress who brags that she had sex with Boris Karloff and a younger actress who's constantly overdramatic and uses everything as inspiration, including a string of murders that suddenly occurs at the apartment complex.
This isn't really a movie driven by its plot or narrative. It's the visuals that stand out and really pop. The sets are simple, but the overdramatic lighting is used to great effect, and again, resembles German Expressionist films from the 1920s, especially since Sreamplay is black and white. There's also great use of shadow and exaggerated facial expressions that look like something out of The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, or even a Lon Chaney performance. If these early cinematic influences weren't clear enough, there's also clips of Edgar watching movies like The Golem and several references to Karloff later on.
As much as I've praised the visuals and the way Screamplay incorporates Seder's influences, I don't want to undercut how memorable some of the characters are, not only Edgar, but also the quirky side characters, including the washed-up B-movie actress and a stoned rockstar who constantly rants and raves about the evils of Hollywood. These characters certainly steal the scenes that they're in and add another reason to check out this film.
Screamplay certainly made the most of its small budget, but it's the zany characters and German Expressionist influences that make this movie memorable. The 4K restoration really enhances the visuals while again underscoring how much Seder was able to do with such limited funding. Horror fans will appreciate the constant references to the genre's first golden age.
Here's where to catch Screamplay in the coming weeks.
9/25 - 10/1 - New York - Anthology
10/6 + 10/8 - Portland - Hollywood Theatre
10/10 + 10/12 - Seattle - Northwest Film Forum
10/14 - Austin - Alamo Drafthouse
10/21 - Philadelphia - Lightbox Film Center
10/21 - Winnipeg - Winnipeg Cinematheque
10/22 - Chicago - Music Box
10/23 - Milwaukee - UWM Cinematheque
11/23 - Tampa - Sun-Ray CinemaBest
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