The part that I find so terrifying about this film is how the killer is completely detached from any of these people. I know the film tries to set up the boyfriend as a red herring for the killer, but the fact that we never see the killer's full face or ever really find out why he's doing this makes this whole film creepy. Mix in how the ending leaves us on a cliffhanger... this film was honestly ahead of its time.
For what it's worth, this film *did* originate SO much for the slasher genre. One of the most influential early uses of POV (first use goes to Peeping Tom from the 1960s), caller inside the house, body count, final girl, killer surviving in the end, being based around a holiday, the final shots being scenes of a vacant house (halloween straight up ripped that off hahaha), etc. Apparently John Carpenter took a lot of inspiration from this film and it's what helped him decide to base the Halloween movie around the holiday. Truly, the original slasher in my opinion. And it pulls it off better and more unsettling than any that have come since (not to mention being ahead of it's time in regards to politics and keeping the women as REAL characters rather than just stereotypical archetypes from the perspective of the male gaze ).
@@mousetreehouse6833 oh I do, that doesn’t mean it had a take that wasn’t different and more inclusive. I get what you’re saying though, perhaps I could’ve phrased it better but I think my message is clearly conveyed and nitpicking doesn’t negate any of it.
Lynn Griffin is a swimmer and at the time she could hold her breath for long periods of time, shot after shot in this movie. Also if you think about it, Billy killed someone before each call that was made. He killed Janice in the park then called them at the house, so in the end Jess was drugged in bed and Billy came down from the attic. Shortly after the camera pans away from the house, the phone rings again indicating that Jess was also killed. I love the ambiguous ending because Billy was never caught and would probably continue to kill.
In fact, in 2021 this film received a professional Fan Film entitled: IT'S ME, BILLY, which serves as unofficial SEQUENCE of the events of this film, available on UA-cam on Dave McRae's channel, it is worth checking.
IT'S ME, BILLY is so fucking good that it made me love the original Black Christmas even more! It's the *OFFICIAL* sequel as far as I'm concerned. And it's getting a sequel of its own, IT'S ME, BILLY: CHAPTER 2, releasing next year?? Could easily become one of my all-time favorite horror franchise 😱
John Carpenter's favorite film. Homages to this in "Halloween" include the "killer POV" when young Michael kills his sister at the beginning, and Michael often being "right there" in the background. Either walking, driving by, or even running into a character.
Two fun facts. The director of this movie Bob Clark, also directed A Christmas Story. The final girl played by Olivia Hussey is India Eisley's mom. ( the actress from Look Away).
There is NO "Final Girl". In the movie, "Billy" calls after every kill. The first call shown is right after Billy sneaks into the house. This would be after he killed 13 year old Janice in the park. Jess is drugged and in shock when the others leave her to take Claire's dad to the hospital. "Billy" is shown to still be in the house. As the credits begin, the phone starts to ring.....
You're right. The bit of plastic in her mouth did have a hole, so she could breathe if she needed to. She was also good at holding her breath. Still, you'd think it would fog up a little.
The shadowy figure of "Billy" is played by director Bob Clark. He also is in the montage of "voices" when "Billy" changes personalities. Other voices are provided by actor Nick Mancuso and several female actors. The other person considered to "play" "Billy" is cinematographer Albert J Dunk. In the "POV " shots.
Can you imagine having a house THIS big to be scared like this. lol. Some of us can just stand in the middle of the house and be like NOPE. Nothing here. 😂😂
Fun fact: the retired slasher killer in Behind The Mask: The Rise Of Leslie Vernon (which if you haven't seen, I guarantee youll _love)_ was suppose to be Billy
The OG originator of the slasher sub-genre, a reaction to this classic was long overdue! And of course, you gave a great reaction! 👏🏼Thank you for doing it. This film is very near and dear to my 🖤. It’s also part of our yearly Christmas traditions, as my wife and I watch it every year. 👍🏼
i mean the call is coming from inside the house is still terrifying, everyone has a cell phone. they could be calling from anywhere. back then you were stuck with a phone line and i assume most people didn't pay extra for another line
Starring Margot Kidder who played Lois Lane in the Christopher Reeve Superman movies - Keir Dullea from 2001 A Space Odyssey - Andrea Martin from SCTV and My Big Fat Greek Wedding 1-2 & 3 -Art Hindle from 1978's Invasion Of The Body Snatchers - John Stoneham Sr. from a few of the X-Men movies and many other Canadian actors - Filmed in Toronto Canada
Today a trace can ge done digitally and pretty much instantly. For instance, if your community has an E-911 system, your information pops up on the ECC computer BEFORE the dispatcher even picks up the call.
I actually watched "Black Christmas" last year and I actually turned on the subtitles during the creepy phone calls. It's funny you should say that the girls are up against someone who is not okay. There actually are some theories relating to Billy where parts of the phone calls reveal something terrible happened during his childhood relating to his sister, Agnes. They've said there might have been sexual abuse involved. The fan film, "It's me, Billy" expands this a lot more.
Yes to the first one. The second one only if it's director's cut with Isabelle Fuhrman. Absolutely hated what they did in the second half of the theatrical cut.
30:04: No, we could still have this fear... some creepy person is calling from a cell phone... that address is tracked... it's coming from inside the same house.
Oh, btw, did you know that before Halloween made a fortune in 1978 there was a movie that did all the creepiest, most creative stuff already? Too bad they didn't give Billy a $5 Star Trek mask or they would have made that money first
The actress playing Claire was a competitive swimmer before she got into acting. So the lass knew how to hold her breath, and everytime you saw her with the bag on her head. It's all her.
My second favorite slasher after John Carpenter’s Halloween! It’s brilliantly paced with some excellent performances. And the social commentary was DECADES ahead of its time! Also, fun fact, John Carpenter once asked Bob Clark what he would do if he were to write a sequel, and Bob told him it’d take place on Halloween and follow Billy escaping a mental institution. Sounds a bit familiar, lol! (Bob denied John taking his idea, however!)
This movie is a horror masterpiece. Bob Clark, the director, did another horror movie called Deathdream that is very unsettling. He also did a Sherlock Holmes movie called Murder By Decree that is worth watching.
Fun tidbit - The actress with the accent (Olivia Hussey) also played Bill's wife in the original IT and the other main actress (Margot Kidder) is the OG Lois Lane from the Christopher Reeves Superman movies.
God this movie is terrifying. And shoutout to the guy busting his ass to do the physical call tracing! So fascinating seeing the actual old school way they would've done it Also, love that you guys realized the similarities between this and Halloween. Supposedly, director of this movie Bob Clark (who also directed A Christmas Story) told John Carpenter how he wanted to do another similar movie set on *Halloween*...🧐🧐 ....allegedly. We know who made that movie first lol
A really strong point of the movie is how well-written the characters are, they are all so full of charm and humanity, even the jerks. Usually in slasher movies, the characters are one-dimensional disposable morons, they're meatbags instead of human beings, but in this movie, this is not the case. When they get killed, not only you as the audience end up losing a likable character, and in the film they show how much the other characters deeply miss them. It really makes the killer so much viler and scarier, because he's coming to destroy and defile everything you hold dear. And yeah, the actress playing Clare, Lynne Griffin, did have the bag wrapped around her head for those shots. She was picked for the role because she could REALLY hold her breath, being trained for apnea and all.
@@thehorrorbandwagon now that y'all checked out/seen the og 1974 Black Christmas here are a couple Unofficial Sequels I highly recommend checking out sometime please (It's Me Billy Chapter 1 a Black Christmas Fan Film & It's Me Billy Chapter 2 a Black Christmas Fan Film)!
This is a movie favourite of Steve Martin and was a favourite of Elvis Presley. That's good enough for me ❤ Great movie ( especially Mrs Mac) and great reaction
tbh black christmas 2019 isnt good but its also not TERRIBLE but i think its so ridiculous especially the ending, and to sum it all, its fun to hate !! 😅
This movie is trauma but actually good at the same time yall should watch to all a goodnight another Christmas horror slasher movie it’s so good or Christmas evil love you guys❤️🫶🏽happy holidays
The part that I find so terrifying about this film is how the killer is completely detached from any of these people. I know the film tries to set up the boyfriend as a red herring for the killer, but the fact that we never see the killer's full face or ever really find out why he's doing this makes this whole film creepy. Mix in how the ending leaves us on a cliffhanger... this film was honestly ahead of its time.
For what it's worth, this film *did* originate SO much for the slasher genre. One of the most influential early uses of POV (first use goes to Peeping Tom from the 1960s), caller inside the house, body count, final girl, killer surviving in the end, being based around a holiday, the final shots being scenes of a vacant house (halloween straight up ripped that off hahaha), etc. Apparently John Carpenter took a lot of inspiration from this film and it's what helped him decide to base the Halloween movie around the holiday. Truly, the original slasher in my opinion. And it pulls it off better and more unsettling than any that have come since (not to mention being ahead of it's time in regards to politics and keeping the women as REAL characters rather than just stereotypical archetypes from the perspective of the male gaze ).
"Perspective of the male gaze'?
You do realize this was written, directed, and produced by men, right?
@@mousetreehouse6833 oh I do, that doesn’t mean it had a take that wasn’t different and more inclusive. I get what you’re saying though, perhaps I could’ve phrased it better but I think my message is clearly conveyed and nitpicking doesn’t negate any of it.
Lynn Griffin is a swimmer and at the time she could hold her breath for long periods of time, shot after shot in this movie. Also if you think about it, Billy killed someone before each call that was made. He killed Janice in the park then called them at the house, so in the end Jess was drugged in bed and Billy came down from the attic. Shortly after the camera pans away from the house, the phone rings again indicating that Jess was also killed. I love the ambiguous ending because Billy was never caught and would probably continue to kill.
A certified horror classic. Does not get the shine a Halloween or Nightmare on Elm Street get, but this movie is a fantastic horror movie.
In fact, in 2021 this film received a professional Fan Film entitled: IT'S ME, BILLY, which serves as unofficial SEQUENCE of the events of this film, available on UA-cam on Dave McRae's channel, it is worth checking.
I've never heard of that, Ill go check it out!
That's a great fan film!
IT'S ME, BILLY is so fucking good that it made me love the original Black Christmas even more! It's the *OFFICIAL* sequel as far as I'm concerned. And it's getting a sequel of its own, IT'S ME, BILLY: CHAPTER 2, releasing next year?? Could easily become one of my all-time favorite horror franchise 😱
I do like it but Jess going through with the baby's birth is weird imo.
Spoilers:
Agnes being Billy's ally or whatever is really dumb
Cool story about this movie, but it actually predates Halloween as being the original slasher film
Nope, I would say Psycho but it's actually Peeping Tom from 1960
John Carpenter's favorite film. Homages to this in "Halloween" include the "killer POV" when young Michael kills his sister at the beginning, and Michael often being "right there" in the background. Either walking, driving by, or even running into a character.
Two fun facts. The director of this movie Bob Clark, also directed A Christmas Story. The final girl played by Olivia Hussey is India Eisley's mom. ( the actress from Look Away).
He also directed Porky's 😅
Bob Clark did:
Black Christmas
A Christmas Story
Turk 182
Rhinestone
Porky's
Porky's 2
Baby Geniuses
Children Shouldn't Play With Dead Things
The fact that Claire's corpse is visible in the attic window the whole time is a hell of an ending reveal.....
I think it’s between this and the original When A Stranger Calls that originated the “call is coming from inside the house” line
I love this movie, I watch it on Christmas Eve every year.
Me too!
I saw it a week ago and i also really loved it.
There is NO "Final Girl".
In the movie, "Billy" calls after every kill. The first call shown is right after Billy sneaks into the house. This would be after he killed 13 year old Janice in the park.
Jess is drugged and in shock when the others leave her to take Claire's dad to the hospital. "Billy" is shown to still be in the house. As the credits begin, the phone starts to ring.....
14:30 Sergio & Cody READ HIM TO FILTH!! THE LIBRARY IS OFFICIALLY CLOSED!! ❤🤘
John Saxon was a good character actor. May he RIP.
IMO this is the CREEPIEST horror classic. For 1974 the terror holds up very well and the ending still hits a big heart sinking chord.
You're right. The bit of plastic in her mouth did have a hole, so she could breathe if she needed to. She was also good at holding her breath. Still, you'd think it would fog up a little.
The shadowy figure of "Billy" is played by director Bob Clark. He also is in the montage of "voices" when "Billy" changes personalities. Other voices are provided by actor Nick Mancuso and several female actors. The other person considered to "play" "Billy" is cinematographer Albert J Dunk. In the "POV " shots.
The way Cody said “oh no…” when Billy first crept into the attic in the beginning sounded exactly like Phoebe from Friends 😂
Can you imagine having a house THIS big to be scared like this. lol. Some of us can just stand in the middle of the house and be like NOPE. Nothing here. 😂😂
this and the 2006 rotate in my christmas rotation 😂 loveeee these movies so much
Fun fact: the retired slasher killer in Behind The Mask: The Rise Of Leslie Vernon (which if you haven't seen, I guarantee youll _love)_ was suppose to be Billy
The OG originator of the slasher sub-genre, a reaction to this classic was long overdue! And of course, you gave a great reaction! 👏🏼Thank you for doing it. This film is very near and dear to my 🖤. It’s also part of our yearly Christmas traditions, as my wife and I watch it every year. 👍🏼
i mean the call is coming from inside the house is still terrifying, everyone has a cell phone. they could be calling from anywhere. back then you were stuck with a phone line and i assume most people didn't pay extra for another line
Starring Margot Kidder who played Lois Lane in the Christopher Reeve Superman movies - Keir Dullea from 2001 A Space Odyssey - Andrea Martin from SCTV and My Big Fat Greek Wedding 1-2 & 3 -Art Hindle from 1978's Invasion Of The Body Snatchers - John Stoneham Sr. from a few of the X-Men movies and many other Canadian actors - Filmed in Toronto Canada
Thanks for covering this classic! ❤😊 Merry Christmas 🎅 🎄 loves!
Olivia Hussey, the lead actress is British & Argentine.
Today a trace can ge done digitally and pretty much instantly.
For instance, if your community has an E-911 system, your information pops up on the ECC computer BEFORE the dispatcher even picks up the call.
I actually watched "Black Christmas" last year and I actually turned on the subtitles during the creepy phone calls. It's funny you should say that the girls are up against someone who is not okay. There actually are some theories relating to Billy where parts of the phone calls reveal something terrible happened during his childhood relating to his sister, Agnes. They've said there might have been sexual abuse involved. The fan film, "It's me, Billy" expands this a lot more.
Probably my all time favorite Christmas horror movie
Im so excited for this one let's GOOO!!!🎉❤
I think you should watch Escape Room with Taylor Russel and Logan Miller
Both movies are so good
Yes to the first one. The second one only if it's director's cut with Isabelle Fuhrman. Absolutely hated what they did in the second half of the theatrical cut.
Nice "I'm coming out" reference. Banger.
Fun Fact: Art Hindle (the guy with the fur coat) still has that coat to this day.
30:04: No, we could still have this fear... some creepy person is calling from a cell phone... that address is tracked... it's coming from inside the same house.
Oh, btw, did you know that before Halloween made a fortune in 1978 there was a movie that did all the creepiest, most creative stuff already? Too bad they didn't give Billy a $5 Star Trek mask or they would have made that money first
Olivia Hussey was born in Argentina to a British mother and an Argentine Father.
This is one of those movies I wished I had seen in the theater - so I could scream out loud with everybody else!
The actress playing Claire was a competitive swimmer before she got into acting. So the lass knew how to hold her breath, and everytime you saw her with the bag on her head. It's all her.
I always remember Olivia Hussey (Jess) from IT.
This movie was being made AS Roe v Wade was decided.
Including the underlying B plot with Jess & Peter was VERY timely.
i'm struggling to even watch this through you guys, this one is CREEPY 😭
i had no idea phylis is ms mac in the remake!
This film and especially Jess are just everything to me 🖤
My second favorite slasher after John Carpenter’s Halloween! It’s brilliantly paced with some excellent performances. And the social commentary was DECADES ahead of its time! Also, fun fact, John Carpenter once asked Bob Clark what he would do if he were to write a sequel, and Bob told him it’d take place on Halloween and follow Billy escaping a mental institution. Sounds a bit familiar, lol! (Bob denied John taking his idea, however!)
I loved every second of this reaction! 🫶🫶🫶
This movie is a horror masterpiece. Bob Clark, the director, did another horror movie called Deathdream that is very unsettling. He also did a Sherlock Holmes movie called Murder By Decree that is worth watching.
I love that Margot Kidder was in this and I don't think i seen this or the one in 2006 but I watched the 2019 one
One of the horror films I watch every Christmas! Really good and hope you enjoy! Audition is a good horror to watch 😮
Fun tidbit - The actress with the accent (Olivia Hussey) also played Bill's wife in the original IT and the other main actress (Margot Kidder) is the OG Lois Lane from the Christopher Reeves Superman movies.
This is a cult classic. Love your reactions. It always creeps me out when I watch it ! xx
God this movie is terrifying. And shoutout to the guy busting his ass to do the physical call tracing! So fascinating seeing the actual old school way they would've done it
Also, love that you guys realized the similarities between this and Halloween. Supposedly, director of this movie Bob Clark (who also directed A Christmas Story) told John Carpenter how he wanted to do another similar movie set on *Halloween*...🧐🧐 ....allegedly. We know who made that movie first lol
There’s a theory that Black Christmas and when a stranger calls share the same killer.
And the same director as A Christmas Story. I'm sure the 100th person to leave that comment, but it's important af
why is it important
@@dashahill8765 Why is it important that they guy who made the most sentimental Christmas movies ever also made the most disturbing? Ask your mother 🙄
A really strong point of the movie is how well-written the characters are, they are all so full of charm and humanity, even the jerks. Usually in slasher movies, the characters are one-dimensional disposable morons, they're meatbags instead of human beings, but in this movie, this is not the case. When they get killed, not only you as the audience end up losing a likable character, and in the film they show how much the other characters deeply miss them. It really makes the killer so much viler and scarier, because he's coming to destroy and defile everything you hold dear.
And yeah, the actress playing Clare, Lynne Griffin, did have the bag wrapped around her head for those shots. She was picked for the role because she could REALLY hold her breath, being trained for apnea and all.
i think its still 24 hours to be reported missing!
Claim your seats guys
Blaaack Christmas; I gave you my heart❤
You didn't show Ms Mac seeing Claire!
i never understood did she kill peter and then black out?
Great reaction guys! For your next reaction you need to check out Eli Roths new slasher Thanksgiving! It is so freaky and crazy
I actually like the newest one. Just think of it as it's own thing and not as a remake. It's fun. I'd watch it and make up your own mind.
One cool rumor is that the weird sounds the guy hears in the scream 2 intro before being stabbed are sounds from this movie. They do sound similar.
is the audio out of sync at 4:50 or is it just me?
💜💜💜
Please please please react to Saltburn! I've never yelled at my TV more than when watching that film! ❤ x
Girl, we cannot wait to watch Saltburn!
@@thehorrorbandwagon now that y'all checked out/seen the og 1974 Black Christmas here are a couple Unofficial Sequels I highly recommend checking out sometime please (It's Me Billy Chapter 1 a Black Christmas Fan Film & It's Me Billy Chapter 2 a Black Christmas Fan Film)!
omg, YASSS!!! the 2006 remake talks a little more about the killers, tho, if u guys are curious :b
🎬❤
lol so creepy.
Dont watch the most recent one. I watched it just to see if it was as bad as people say. And it's just.... no.
This is a movie favourite of Steve Martin and was a favourite of Elvis Presley.
That's good enough for me ❤
Great movie ( especially Mrs Mac) and great reaction
Mrs. MacHenry had to hide her booze because of she didn't, Barb would drink it 🍷😘🖤🌲☝️
Yayyyyyyyy im earlyyyyyyyyyy
Fun Fact; Olivia is the original Juliet from Romeo and Juliet.❤
he mentioned it in the movie reaction did you watch lol
@@dashahill8765 I hadn't clicked yet at the time, I was just mentioning it for fun
tbh black christmas 2019 isnt good but its also not TERRIBLE but i think its so ridiculous especially the ending, and to sum it all, its fun to hate !! 😅
I just think it deserves a different title. It's not a great movie but it has nothing to due with the OG and the remake from the 2000s.
@@xtrordinarygrl15 actually I agree with this 😎
This movie is trauma but actually good at the same time yall should watch to all a goodnight another Christmas horror slasher movie it’s so good or Christmas evil love you guys❤️🫶🏽happy holidays