By Melissa Antoinette Garza
SLEEPAWAY CAMP (1983) has to be one of the strangest slashers of all time. It’s a cult classic that spawned 3-4 sequels, depending on who you ask. Some count the unfinished, SLEEPAWAY CAMP IV: THE SURVIVOR (2012), but it’s so choppy and filled with scenes from the original films, that it’s impossible to really look at is as anything but a special feature.
The original, however, is a fantastic trip into the insane. The film opens with two small children swimming with their father John (Dan Tursi). The man and one child is killed. Angela (Felissa Rose) survives and goes to live with her cousin Ricky (Jonathan Tiersten) and her strange Aunt Martha (Desiree Gould).
Eight years go by, and Angela is allowed to go to summer camp for the first time with Ricky. Ricky who has gone before, looks forward to seeing Judy (Karen Fields), a girl he hooked up with the year before. Now Judy is a bitch and wants nothing to do with Ricky.
Instead, she and her friend Meg (Katherine Kamhi) harass Angela on the regular. Angela doesn’t help herself as she’s shy, awkward and refuses to shower or swim with the other girls. Ricky tries to watch out for her, but gets shit for it from everyone.
Even the campgrounds owner, Mel (Mike Kellin) gets in Ricky’s face for always defending Angela. Mel suspects him of more than just being quick to temper over his cousin. He also thinks Ricky’s behind some violent acts and even murders that have taken place.
The first one to get hurt is a pervert named Artie (Owen Hughes) who tries to hit on Angela. He’s a chef who ends up going head first into a boiling pot of corn. He lives, but he’ll forever have a painful reminder of his disgusting actions.
Mel convinces everyone to be quiet about Artie. He informs the other chef,Ben (Robert Earl Jones), that he’s promoted and even gives him a raise. Ben immediately goes along with the plan, but camp counselor Ronnie (Paul DeAngelo) is not as willing to look the other way. He tries to be diplomatic, but actually caring about the kids, is the only one that really stands his ground.
Meanwhile, Angela starts a small flirtation with Ricky’s friend Paul (Christopher Collet). Paul is patient and nice with Angela, however isn’t the most faithful guy in the world. When Judy comes around calling, he makes out with her.
The film culminates with the body count increasing so much so that it can’t be ignored. Mel believes the killer is Ricky and attempts to confront him. The conclusion is one of the most shocking and ridiculous of all time.
SLEEPAWAY CAMP (1983) is definitely a guilty pleasure of mine. I watch it every year or so. It’s wacky, weird and insane.
The best scenes are with Desiree Gould as Aunt Martha. Gould is so over-the-top, bat-shit crazy as Martha. I love her! Nothing she says makes sense. Her logic is so skewed and deranged, but I can’t get enough. I could watch hours of her talking to the kids. It’s so weird. I have no idea who decided to make the character into this purposefully affected masterpiece she turned out to be, but I love it.
This is definitely a must-see and it’s currently free on Amazon Prime, so enjoy.
Scared Stiff Rating: 7/10
