Slash and Grab: Horror of the 1980s

By: Adam Jortner, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Adam Jortner

We can learn a lot about American history and culture by looking at the horror films of the 1980s. The horror boom that began in 1978 coincided with an era of global nuclear fears, urban decay, and recession as well as the collapse of the Hollywood studio system and the decline of censorship laws that had held sway for nearly 50 years. This volatile mix of circumstances gave rise to the gory, violent, over-the-top—and very successful—genre of horror that we now know as the “slasher” or “splatter” film.

In the 10 lectures of Slash and Grab: Horror of the 1980s, you’ll follow Professor Adam Jortner as he examines how these films were created, why they were made, and what kind of reaction they sparked in American audiences. You’ll explore movies that have become classics of the genre, including A Nightmare on Elm Street, Friday the 13th, and Halloween, as well as the lesser-known productions such as The House on Sorority Row and The Stuff. Along the way, you’ll consider how culture shaped the films, as well as how the films shaped the culture in everything from their subtle subversion of gender expectations to the role they played in stoking the era’s so-called “Satanic panic.”

While the slasher film may have been at its most popular in the 1980s, that doesn’t mean the genre has been laid to rest. Changes in American culture, technology, and filmmaking have transformed horror movies to reflect the anxieties of a different generation. However, much like the killers that made the splatter movies of the 1980s so distinctive, the power of horror to reveal our deepest fears never truly dies.

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Phenomenal Learning Experience

I learned so much, probably more than I thought I wanted to know, and I am so happy I listened to these lectures.
Having seen the first Friday the 13th and the first Halloween (my first horror movies as a teenager), I can honestly say that they they horrified me enough that I’m very careful about which ones I see now. Now that I’ve heard about so many really good movies, and so many really bad movies in the genre, I think I’m ready to see more.
Thank you!

Not deep, but fun!

This wasn’t particularly academic, and it wasn’t always accurate, but it was a lot of fun to be reminded of horror movies in the 80’s, and how ubiquitous they were.

It was easy and enjoyable to listen to, and left me with some ideas to ponder.

I enjoyed seeing these movies in a wider historical context. It was interesting to see how things like the end of the Motion Picture Code, VCRs, and the conglomeration of media companies, have impacted horror movies.

I think he makes a good argument that censorship and corporate conglomeration limit opportunities for new ideas, new people, and pushing the limits of expression.

He also makes a good argument that from the 1930’s (before the MPC,) through grind house independents, to the post-MPC movies of the 1970’s and 80’s, movie audiences haven’t really changed. We’ve always consumed movies that pushed the boundaries of reality, good taste, and social mores.

Enjoyable review of the history of the slasher film.

Lots of stuff I didn’t know, like how the Motion picture code ran through 1968 and prevented movies like slasher and gore ones from being made. A chronological review of slasher films from the late 70’s to the early 80’s.

Fun fact: now I know why they number these films!

Top notch course of film and American culture

LOVED this course. There is far more depth and research going on here than just merely horror films. This is worth listening to for anything interested in Cinema.

Mistakes!

While this was just fine with listing titles and something I could have playing along with a workout-this was rife with mistakes. Carol Anne asks for a goldfish, not a hamster. Only the parents are outside the Myers house to reveal Micheal as the killer-no police! Many more here and there. It may be just nitpicking but it does make the listener stop and go-um…nooooo…