Top 5 80's Slasher Movies (Without Freddy or Jason)

Happy Birthday to Me

Director: J. Lee Thompson

1981

Canadian Friday the 13th knock-off starring Melissa Sue Anderson of Little House on the Prairie fame. Members of a college clique are being picked off by an unknown assailant, one by one. Highlights include a dweeb who has a shish-kabob skewered right through his uvulua, and death-by-bench-press.

My Bloody Valentine

Director: George Mihalka

1981

This list is starting to skew a little Canadian, eh buddy? A miner (Harry Warden) once endured a long stint underground after a cave-in... a cave-in which occurred during the annual Valentine's Day dance, which is apparently the only other thing do thorughout the year in Valentine's Bluff, other than mining and drinking. Warden went on a murderous rampage years ago to seek revenge against his negilent coworkers, and now he's escaped the asylum to wish his townsfolk a hacky Valentine's Day! Or... so it would seem! Go find a version which contains the infamous 9-minutes of footage that was censored out of the theatrical release.

Maniac Cop

Director: William Lustig

1988

Lustig of Maniac fame teamed up with writer and horror icon Larry Cohen to produce this piece of satire, which is a refreshingly sharp (although somewhat hypocritical) critique of police misconduct and media sensationalism. We must also aknowledge the importance of actor Robert Z'dar, whose real-life cherubism and intimidating physique helped insure that he would be forever typecast in movies with "maniac" in the title.

Sleepaway Camp

Director: Robert Hiltzik

1983

Another tacky Friday knock-off, and I say that with the greatest affection. You will only need to see this movie ONCE -- the ending will burn itself into your memory permanently.

Slumber Party Massacre II

Director: Deborah Brock

1987