Main Cast: Roddy McDowall, William Ragsdale, Traci Lind, Julie Carmen, Russell Clark
Release Year: 1988
Country: US
Run Time: 108 minutes
MPAA Rating: R
Plot
This horror-comedy sequel finds the teen protagonist of Fright Night being terrorized by the undead sister of the vampire he killed in the original film. Two years after the death of bloodsucker Jerry Dandridge, young Charley Brewster (William Ragsdale) has settled into life as a college student and rejected his former belief in the existence of vampires. Although he's busy pursuing the affections of determined coed Alex (Traci Lind), Charley soon falls under the spell of the mysterious and alluring Regine (Julie Carmen). Although everything about the woman screams vampire, her feminine charms -- and her claims of being nothing but an outlandish performance artist -- lead Charley to become her unwilling servant. Torn between Regine's enchantments and his loyalty to Traci, the youth again looks for help from Peter Vincent (Roddy McDowall), the washed-up horror-show host who assisted him in the first film. Soon, Charley, Peter, and Traci are facing off against a coven of picturesque bloodsuckers led by Regine, who reveals herself to be the ancient sister of Jerry Dandridge. Directed and co-written by John Carpenter colleague Tommy Lee Wallace, Fright Night Part 2 includes a co-writing credit for Pretty Woman scribe Stephen Metcalfe and cinematography from Mark Irwin, who has worked with everyone from David Cronenberg to the Farrelly brothers. ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide
Review
Though less of a delightful humor-horror medley than its predecessor, this vampire sequel still boasts a sturdy script, a winning cast, and stylish production design that makes the most of a modest budget. Roddy McDowall and William Ragsdale reprise their respective roles as a bumbling old Van Helsing wannabe and his youthful sidekick. Even if the in-jokes about The Fearless Vampire Killers weren't explicit, the picture would still fall squarely in the long, proud tradition of films that simultaneously cherish and ridicule the tropes of vampire cinema. Traci Lind's stuffy girlfriend role isn't much fun for either the actress or the audience, but Julie Carmen makes a fetchingly boho vampire babe, as do her various colorful minions. She's nowhere near as outlandish as Grace Jones in Vamp, nor is Fright Night Part 2 an improvement over the zeitgeist-capturing Lost Boys. Still, with its inventive effects and sultry atmosphere, the film proves to be an enjoyable piece of workmanship, especially for a sequel. ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide
Brian Thompson - Bozworth; Jonathan Gries - Louie; Ernie Sabella - Dr. Harrison; Merritt Butrick - Ritchie; Gary Allen - Mr. Newberry; Rochelle Ashana - Art Major; Ed Corbett - Stagehand; David Efron - Orderly; Alexander Folk - Sergeant; Scanlon Gail - Watch Captain; Neith Hunter - Young Admirer; Brad Kepnick - Hip Young Guy; John La Fayette - Bartender; Matt Landers - Mel; Grant Owens - Jailer; Josh Richman - Fritzy; Blair Tefkin - Beatrice; Robert Jenkins - Stagehand; Karen Andrews - Mrs. Stern; Jill Augustine - Coed; Gar Campbell - Director; Ed Quinlan - Newscaster; Jennifer Joan Taylor - Secretary-Receptionist
Credit
Randy Moore - Art Director, John Hays - Boom Operator, Nina Axelrod - Casting, Russell Clark - Choreography, John Lawson - Consultant/advisor, Mort Engelberg - Co-producer, Herb Jaffe - Co-producer, Joseph Porro - Costume Designer, Matt Earl Beesley - First Assistant Director, Tommy Lee Wallace - Director, Jay Lash Cassidy - Editor, Tim Goldberg - Location Manager, Jeffrey Sudzin - Line Producer, Brad Fiedel - Composer (Music Score), Stuart Boros - Musical Direction/Supervision, G. Cooper Henson - Musical Direction/Supervision, Lily Benyar - Makeup, Norman Cabrera - Makeup Special Effects, Greg Cannom - Makeup Special Effects, Bart Mixon - Makeup Special Effects, Dean Tschetter - Production Designer, Mark Irwin - Cinematographer, Eric Compton - Set Designer, Thomas D. Wilkins - Set Designer, Rick Josephson - Special Effects, Robert J. Anderson, Jr. - Sound Mixer, Dave Koehler - Sound Recordist, David Graves - Stunts, Wayne Montanio - Stunts, Phil Culotta - Stunts, Joe Gilbridge - Stunts, Edward James Ulrich - Stunts, Maria Kelly - Stunts, Clay Boss - Stunts, Carol Rees - Stunts, Al Jones - Stunts, Sheryl Sue Jones - Stunts, Jeffrey Sudzin - Unit Production Manager, Stephen Metcalfe - Screenwriter, Tim Metcalfe - Screenwriter, Miguel Tejada-Flores - Screenwriter, Tommy Lee Wallace - Screenwriter, Evan Jacobs - Production Assistant, Jonneine Hellerstein - Production Assistant, Frank Kostenko, Jr. - Production Assistant, Ari Shamaris - Production Assistant, Leslie Huntley - Visual Effects Supervisor, John Kwiatkowski - Sound Effects Editor, Steve Keutcher - Animal Trainer/Wrangler, Melinda Mullen - Publicist, Gene Warren, Jr. - Special Effects Editor, Duwayne Dunham - Additional Editing, Jonathan P. Shaw - Additional Editing, Karen Grossman - Aerial Photography, Eric Goldstein - First Assistant Camera, Robert Gantz - First Assistant Camera, Jock Brandis - Gaffer, Pascal Franchot - Grip, Steven Frohardt - Grip, Thomas R. Harjo - Grip, Dwight Lock - Grip, Nicholas Toth - Head Animal Trainer, Caleb Edwards - Key Grip, Steve McCroskey - Music Editor, Kathleen J. Hopp - Post Production Coordinator, Anna Zappia - Production Coordinator, Roy "Bucky" Moore - Properties Master, Steve Pederson - Re-Recording Mixer, Paul Sharpe - Re-Recording Mixer, Edward F. Suski - Re-Recording Mixer, Suzanne Gundlach - Script Supervisor, Brenda K. Wachel - Script Supervisor, Scott Printz - Second Assistant Director, Tony Friedkin - Still Photographer, Dane A. Davis - Supervising Sound Editor, Garet Reilly - Costume/Wardrobe, G.W. Brown - ADR Editor, Scott Herbertson - Assistant Art Director, James Ottobre - Assistant Costumer Designer, Jennifer Bell - Assistant Hair, Tom Ruddy - Assistant Location Manager, Zepure Chelebian - Assistant Makeup, Damien Ganczewski - Assistant Production Coordinator, Scott MacCaughern - Assistant Properties, Mark Larry - Assistant Sound Editor, Tracy Toon - Assistant Sound Editor, Austin Goss - Best Boy Electric, Mark Combs - Best Boy Grip, Joel A. Blumenau - Casting Assistant, Dan Wiseman - Construction Coordinator, Karen Rivera - Costumes Supervisor, Greg Jacobs - Dialogue Editor, Kimberly Lowe Voight - Dialogue Editor, Randy Vandegrift - Dialogue Editor, Loren Corl - Dolly Grip, Elan Yaari - Electrician, Neil Holcomb - Electrician, Jay W. Yowler - Electrician, Joe Charlap-Hyman - First Assistant Editor, Jim Stellar - First Assistant Editor, Tom Hammond - Foley Editor, Teresa M. Austin - Key Hairstylist, Bryn E. Leetch - Key Hairstylist, Lilly Benyair-Gart - Key Make-up, Gary Shartsis - Leadman, Blaine G. Houserman - Production Accountant, Michael Perry - Scenic Artist, Ed Mabe - Scenic Artist, Findlay Bunting - Second Assistant Camera, Joseph Adamson - Second Second Assistant Director, Raymond Becket - Second Second Assistant Director, Helen Dersjant - Set Dresser, Kenny Montante - Set Dresser, Mark Anderson - Set Dresser, Marc S. Gannes - Set Dresser, Leonard Morganti - Storyboard Artist, Giacomo G. Ghiazza - Storyboard Artist, Dusty Saunders - Transportation Captain, Gary Hellerstein - Transportation Coordinator, Michele Starbuck - Set Decorator, Rick Welden - Construction Foreman, Curtis Yomtob - Construction Foreman, Richard Scarpone - Craft Service/Catering, Joan Rowe - Foley Walker, Jerry Trent - Foley Walker, Dennis Brookins - Negative Cutter, Bundy Chanock - Set Medic/First Aid, Ray Adamski - Swing Gang, Paul Boykin - Swing Gang, Russell Jones - Swing Gang, Scott Tomlinson - Swing Gang, David L. Aaron - Title Design, Kathleen Walker - Art Department Coordinator
