The Funhouse (1981)

[clockworkcanary]

Tobe Hooper's "The Funhouse" is a movie about family issues (for everyone!) and the destruction of childhood innocence. Both the Final Girl and her annoying brother leave the safety and innocence of childhood and endure severe traumatic experiences, forever changing them. They survive, sure, but they'll never be the same.

Not as powerful or iconic as the Texas Chainsaw massacre, but this movie, although not necessarily a fun watch, did attempt some symbolism and maintain a few themes. Notable elements include brother vs. sister, sister vs. family, father vs. son, class issues, and facades of the carnival, among others. The fodder are knocked off in ways related to their (few) defining character attributes.

Great setting and good atmosphere. Interesting tweaks on the slasher formula. Love the references to old school gothic horror. All that said, it was a dull, yet disturbing affair (book it was based on had even more disturbing elements).

What are your opinions on the Funhouse? So, was Amy the "Bride of Frankenstein" after all?

[zombie no.one]

made at least 2 attempts to watch this and never got more than about 30 mins in.... just doesn't appeal somehow. and I say that as a bit of an early 80s slasher junkie!

[The Burgomaster]

I've seen it 2 or 3 times. It just doesn't grab me . . . but I'll keep trying.

[indianasmith]

I read the book long before I saw the movie, and it left a deep impression.
The movie was a letdown, as movies often are after when you read the book they are based on first.
But I watched it again later, when the memories of the book had faded, and as a stand-alone horror film, I found it pretty watchable but not exceptional.

[akiratubo]

I like this movie.  The monster is pretty cool.

The book was actually based on an early draft of the script, before budget and politics pared it down to what made it to screen.  Even Tobe Hooper says he prefers the book to the movie.

[major jay]

The thing I liked most about it was the sleazy carnival atmosphere and characters, but the last 3rd was a bit of a let down.

[RCMerchant]

It seems ,to me at least,that Tobe Hooper was NEVER able to live up to TCM,though EATEN ALIVE (1976) with Neville Brand,was a game attempt. As far as FUNHOUSE-I found it too dull as well-though the scene where the Frankenstein masked freak attempts to buy the dubious favors of the phony fortune teller lady is bizzare.

[Allhallowsday]

It seems ,to me at least,that Tobe Hooper was NEVER able to live up to TCM,though EATEN ALIVE (1976) with Neville Brand,was a game attempt. As far as FUNHOUSE-I found it too dull as well-though the scene where the Frankenstein masked freak attempts to buy the dubious favors of the phony fortune teller lady is bizzare.

What he said...

I like TOBE HOOPER movies, but I haven't seen FUNHOUSE in maybe... 30 years... I remember the creature was kind of gross. 

[JaseSF]

Yeah the monster was the most memorable part...like the twist with him, the rest proved a little forgettable compared to his other films. Still enjoyed it for what it was.

[BoyScoutKevin]

Of the thousand or so movies I have seen, there are only 3 that I can remember turned my stomach, while watching it. This is one of them.