Name two things that link Bob Clark and John Saxon. First, they were both important parts of the classic 1974 horror film Black Christmas. Second, they were both born on 5 August — Clark in 1939 and Saxon in 1936.

Bob Clark should be far better known than he is. He wrote and directed many iconic films. A personal favorite is Children Shouldn’t Play with Dead Things. Sadly, even the best release of that film doesn’t look great. But that is doubtless due to the low budget and the fact that it all takes place at night. But all horror fans should see it.

Clark also directed Deathdream, Porky’s, and, of course, A Christmas Story — a film many have turned against over the years but they all know they loved it then and love it now despite their pretense.

John Saxon was one of those actors who seemed to be everywhere. Of particular interest is his starring role in what is probably the first giallo, Mario Bava’s The Girl Who Knew Too Much. Of course, people know him better from films like Enter the Dragon and A Nightmare on Elm Street.

But today, we talk about perhaps the greatest film either man was involved in: Black Christmas. Like so many great psychotronic films, it didn’t receive the love it deserved. This always annoys me even though I fear people will look back at me and criticize my decision not to watch The Human Centipede films. (It’s not my fault! There are simply some things I cannot face. But I am getting to the point of thinking I might be able to watch the first one.)

But today, let us enjoy this good print of Black Christmas:

Other 5 August Anniversaries

Filmmakers

• John Huston (1906-1987): Writer-director known for The Maltese Falcon, The Treasure of the Sierra Madre, and more.
• Robert Taylor (1911-1969): Actor known for films like Waterloo Bridge and Ivanhoe.
• John Jarratt (1952-): Actor best known for Wolf Creek.
• Maureen McCormick (1956-): Marcia, Marcia, Marcia!
• James Gunn (1966-): Screenwriter of Tromeo and Juliet, Scooby-Doo, and more. Also known for directing Guardians of the Galaxy and its sequels.

Films

• To Catch a Thief (1955): After a series of jewel thefts, a retired thief must solve the crimes.
• The Little Shop of Horrors (1960): A flower shop employee learns that one of the plants needs blood.
• Castle of the Living Dead (1964): A circus visits Count Drago, who embalms people.
• The Beast That Killed Women (1965): Nudie cutie and horror hybrid where a violent gorilla gets into a nudity camp.
• The Blob (1988): Remake of the original film about a space alien blob that absorbs everything.
• Halloween H2O: 20 Years Later (1998): Now Laurie must protect her son.
• Arachnia (2003): A research plane crash lands in a remote area where they are attacked by giant spiders.
• Baby Blues (2008): On a remote farm, the eldest child from protect the other children from their crazy mother.
• Shadows Light (2008): An exorcist learns his hometown is being taken over by demons.
• Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011): Widely loved reboot of the original franchise.

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Black Christmas (1974) poster via Wikipedia under Fair Use.