Scream Greats, Vol. 1: Tom Savini, Master of Horror Effects

Scream Greats Vol. 1: Tom Savini, Master of Horror Effects (1986)

*** 1/2 (out of 4)

Pretty good documentary from Fangoria takes a look at the make-up effects of Tom Savini. Through interviews with Savini, George Romero and various others, we get to learn about how he works and what originally got him wanting to work in movies. Savini talks about seeing MAN OF A THOUSAND FACES at an early age and how Lon Chaney was his biggest influence. He also talks about the various "issues" that some people have with slasher movies and the violent effects that he creates. At just under an hour I don't see how any fan wouldn't love this. As usual, Savini is always great to listen to and he's certainly not short on great stories to tell. Not only do we get his stories but we get a lot of behind-the-scenes footage showing the master doing his stuff to create his effects. Clips from MARTIN, DAWN OF THE DEAD, MANIAC, THE PROWLER and various others are shown. For some strange reason, various Friday THE 13TH clips are shown but usually for the films that Savini didn't work on (like 2 and 3). An extended period of the running time is devoted to DAY OF THE DEAD and the various effects that Savini did on the picture. There are plenty of great stories about the making of the film as well as various issues that happened (including guts in a refrigerator). Overall, SCREAM GREATS VOL. 1 is a very good look at Savini's career up to this point and his fans should really enjoy it.

Whether or not your a fan of Tom Savini and / or Tom Savini's work, you will enjoy this video. It is a quick 90 minute look at the work and early life of Tom Savini and his contribution to the art of special effects and gore. It's safe to say that Scream Greats has done more for Tom Savini's career than Tom Savini's career. The video includes everything good about the 80's monster gore. It will last the test of time because it holds great so many wonderful moments from films such as Dawn of the Dead, Martin, Maniac, Day of the Dead, and more. Since the early 80's, nothing has effected the mainstream of motion pictures or the horror genre in Savini's career since the Golden Age of Special Effects in "Slasher Films" which Savini played a huge part in.

Scream Greats Vol. 1 is an entertaining, if slightly sloppy, video documentary about makeup fx maestro Tom Savini. There's plenty of interview footage and some good behind-the-scenes stuff, as well as some good, though brief, appearances by George Romero. Fangoria editors Bob Martin and David Everett also show up, probably just because their magazine sponsored the tape.

The clips are plentiful and gory, taking us through most of Savini's career up until Day of the Dead, though for some reason his first two movies, Deathdream and Deranged, are skipped, implying Martin was his first assignment. Savini himself is very entertaining, and we seem to get a good portrait of the man.

It's a bit haphazardly constructed (director Damon Santostefano also made Fangoria Films' dreadful Severed Ties) but the great interviews and an amazing array of gory clips from Savini's filmography more than make up for it. Scream Greats Vol. 1 doesn't challenge Dario Argento's World of Horror as the best ever horror movie documentary, but it's well worth tracking down for fans (if you can find it!) and certainly a lot better than Scream Greats Vol. 2.

Let it be noted that "Scream Greats volume one" is a seminal documentary that inspired countless modern day filmmakers and make-up artists. Much like Tom Savini's classic story regarding "Man Of a Thousand Faces" Scream Greats volume one offered the same inspiration for so many of today's artisans. They are artists who are crafting and will craft our current and coming deluge of horror films. Savini (as a child) who was obsessed with the magic of movie make-up after seeing the motion picture Man Of A Thousand Faces (Starring James Cagney) continued to become one of the most influential figures in make-up history.

I was very much obsessed with horror movies and "monster make-up" when I was a child but when I watched "Scream Greats volume one" (for the first time) in 1986, I was hooked for life. I was ten years old and I couldn't wait until my birthday when I would receive a wooden make-up chest (shaped like a coffin) that was filled with various paints, latex, blood, and brushes. I wanted to be Tom Savini. He was and still is a total inspiration.

Now I'm making monster movies with heavy make-up and documentaries about inspired horror artists so I blame Mr Savini for this crazy stuff that haunts me every day. The struggle is worth it... I'm still obsessed.

Someone should re-publish this volume on DVD once again with a new doc attached that regards the many people who were inspired by the great George Romero and the one and only Tom Savini. I'd be more than happy to take part and pay proper tribute...

Regards,

Christopher P. Garetano