Yesterday I discussed movies which scared me as a kid.
Either because they were deliberately scary, or because it was a little too
mature for me to be seeing when I did. Of course some movies are intentionally
scary, even comedies. Ghostbusters and Beetlejuice are two great comedies, but
there are some creepy, even flat out scary, scenes in these films. So saying
that you scared makes sense, But what about films which were not supposed to be
scary, but have that one moment which scares the crap out of you?
Today I wanted to talk about movies which were not scary,
and yet contain a scene which scared me as much as any intentionally scary movie.
These are usually moments that people remember very well because they come out
of nowhere, and leave a strong mark on us making us ask "WTF?". These are mostly 80’s films because,
well, I was a kid in the 80’s. And as always, just opinion.
#5. Raiders of the Lost Ark
This is cheating, but this story has always been one of my
favorites from being a kid so I thought I would share. We all remember Raiders
of the Lost Ark. It was a great action movie, in fact I’ll go so far as to say
it set the standard for action movies in the 80’s. Harrison Ford was fantastic,
and the film was a lot of fun. The thing I remember the most about the movie
was the ending. We all know how it ends; the ark is finally uncovered and
opened. Indy and Marion shield their eyes, and then the villains discover why
you should never stare at the ark very long. My father was sitting next to me
at the theatre, and just as the villains faces began to melt I felt a hand
clasp onto my face to shield me from the scene. It probably startled him to,
that was a gory image. So I never saw that, until years later when I did
finally see it and realized that my father may have made the right choice. So
that was a scary moment averted, and I love that story.
#4. E.T.
This was one of the biggest movies ever when this came out.
There were lines of people waiting to see, and I still remember how it was
playing in theatres for months it seemed. Now to be fair, this is kind of embarrassing.
I almost considered not putting this on here, but it still counts even if it’s
silly. In the beginning of the movie we see Elliott searching for the alien
with his flashlight. At one point he shines at right at him, and E.T. screams.
That scared me, I admit. Of course I made it through the movie just fine,
except that this film is darn depressing. I still don’t understand why I like
it so much. Sure there are some charming moments, but the scene where E.T.
literally dies on the table is one the most disturbing moments ever. This was a
kids film? Maybe it wasn’t, I don’t know but I like this movie even if I can’t
explain why. Steven Spielberg isn’t one of the greatest directors alive for
nothing. I had the toys, games, and even the god awful Atari game.
#3.Star Trek II-The Wrath of Khan
I spoke before how this film did not resonate with me when I
first saw it. I was too young to follow what was going, I wasn’t even familiar
with Space Seed at the time, and appreciate the brilliance of the film. There
were only two things I remember about seeing this, one was the kid behind me
who wouldn’t shut up. The other was a scene which kind of scared me. There is a
line between grossed out and scared, and this scene really treaded that. We all
know what scene I am talking about, right? That damn ear slug scene! If somehow
you don’t know, it’s early in the film when Khan kidnaps Chekov and his new
captain. In order to get answers from them, he takes these little slugs and has
then crawl into their ears. The intention is to get them to be open to
suggestion. But the scene is hard to watch especially as a kid. I think the
music and the visuals did a great job of selling the moment. That, and way
Chekov screamed. His scream is famous for a reason. True that seems more fake
today, but at the time it was downright chilling.
#2.Superman III
That damn robot scene! Ok for those who may not know,
Superman III was the lighthearted one also starring Richard Pryor. Why someone
thought making Superman a comedy would work is beyond me (course they also made
it a Broadway show, so who knows?). The plot involved a super computer which toward
the end of the movie, begins to take on a life of its own. The three villains
are inside the computer when they realize this is happening, and make a hasty
retreat. Unfortunately, one does not get away as the computer literally drags
her back in. What happened next scared the crap out of me. The computer
proceeds to transform the woman into a robot, in a quick sequence where she
given all sorts of electronics and her personality is quickly submerged. The
robot then attacks the other two villains, before Superman finally arrives.
True the woman is seen to be fine in the end, but that scene still freaked me
out. I know it doesn’t sound scary here, but the scene is pretty intense. For
years I was embarrassed that I had been so freaked out, until I saw some
YouTube comments saying they were also scared by that moment. I don’t know if
it was how fast the whole thing was, or the scream of the woman, or maybe those
cold dead silver eyes. Oh lord, those eyes….. Anyway, if you’re not familiar
the scene is available on YouTube to check out. Off topic, but this film was
pretty bad except the junkyard scene. I thought that was pretty good. And yes,
I can watch that scene today and realize it wasn’t so bad. Funny how we see
things different as kids.
#1. Dumbo & Pinocchio
Ironic that not only is Disney of all things #1, but they
had two scenes which scared me. I decided to couldn’t decide which was worst,
so I made it a tie. I have already talked about these so I will not go into too
much detail. Dumbo was a nice little film, kind of sad at times but nothing to
horrible. Then comes the scene where Dumbo and Timothy get drunk accidentally,
and proceed to have the famous Pink Elephants on Parade scene. I hated this scene;
it just freaked me out and haunted me for years. My now ex-wife used to tease
me about it. Thank heavens the crows follow it, they saved the movie. Pinocchio
is kind of dark with odd images, but I don’t think it’s supposed to be scary. Then
we get the Pleasure Island scene. That god damn Pleasure Island scene! Lampwick
is talking with Pinocchio, and as he does he begins to transform into a donkey.
At first it’s not that bad, until he realizes what is happening and starts to
scream in terror for help. The transformation is complete, and Lampwick starts
to tear the place apart. This scene flat out scared the crap out of me, and I
never forgot it. The worst part me be that we never find out what happened to
him or anyone else on that island. Pinocchio escapes, and that’s that. Then you
hope the next scene would be better, and we get the whale scene….argh! Anyway,
Dumbo was a decent film, I have learned to appreciate it. Pinocchio I flat out
hated, there is just nothing redeeming in it for me. And yes, I am aware that
compared to the original novel the Disney movie was darn right tame. Still hate
it.
Honorable Mention-Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory
This is a great kids movie. It’s got fun songs, pretty
images, and a realty well told story. I love this film. However, there is one
scene which has terrified many and it makes no sense. We know what I’m talking
about, that annoying tunnel scene. They group get on a boat and go into a
tunnel, and then all hell breaks loose! Odd disturbing images while Wonka
recites a very dark poem. This scene is terrifying, but I honestly don’t
remember being terrified by it per se. It was definitely a WTF moment! I decided it deserved a mention because it fits
this discussion perfectly and has scared many kids over the years.
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