As a child of the 80s, I have fond memories of huddling around the television during the holidays, eagerly watching the magical world unfold on screen. One film that will forever hold a special place in my heart is Steven Spielberg‘s executive-produced masterpiece, Gremlins. This film, with its unique blend of humor and horror, has left an indelible mark on me, and I believe it has done the same for countless others.
As a devoted cinephile, I must say that holiday movies hold a special place in my heart, whether they’re filled with laughter, love, or even chills down the spine. It’s fascinating how some horror films have found their niche during this joyous season, reminding us of timeless classics from years past. One such film that truly stands out is “Gremlins,” a masterpiece produced by none other than the legendary Steven Spielberg. This 1984 gem, with its sequel and animated series, “Gremlins: The Wild Batch” – currently in its second season, continues to captivate audiences.
In the end, an incident takes place and the small creature reproduces into five. Afterward, pandemonium erupts, leading to some quite disturbing events. Yet, there’s a specific scene that resonates strongly with many viewers, surpassing even other parts of the narrative. When Kate (Phoebe Cates) explains her dislike for Christmas, the overall eerie ambiance of the movie reaches its peak in this pivotal moment. Interestingly, it was almost left out of the final cut.
How One of the Most Iconic Scenes in Gremlins Almost Didn’t Make It Into the Movie
As a cinephile, I found myself immersed in a scene reminiscent of classic horror flicks, when Kate, with Billy by her side and Gizmo looking on, chose to share a chilling tale from her past. The dim light emanating from beneath added an eerie suspense, as if the very walls were holding their breath. It was then that she recounted the unnerving story of Christmas long ago – a night when her father, dressed as jolly old Saint Nick, slipped down the chimney and met his tragic end, his broken neck discovered only days after the festivities had ended.
The most poignant part of her tale unfolds at its conclusion, where she reveals, “and that’s when I learned there was no Santa Claus.” Though the movie isn’t generally frightening compared to current standards, this conversation carries a somber and disquieting tone. This is why Warner Bros. initially considered removing the scene, as they believed it might seem incongruous within the broader narrative of the film.
Joe Dante, as the film director, ensured the scene remained, emphasizing that the movie Gremlins was intended to combine elements of horror and humor. The aspect that studio executives found troubling was precisely what he aimed for. Yet, despite Dante’s efforts to preserve it, the decisive factor in keeping the scene was Steven Spielberg’s input, which ultimately secured its position in the final version of the movie.
As executive producer of the movie, Spielberg too had input on the situation, sharing similar concerns as Warner Bros. about the timing of Kate’s story being slightly off. However, he supported Dante’s vision and decided not to interfere with his creative choices. Throughout his career, Spielberg has consistently backed directors in their creative endeavors, trusting their judgement. In this instance, his decision proved wise.
Gremlins Has Always Aimed to Blend Dark and Bright Aspects at the Same Time
It’s ironic that, despite the script clearly setting out to convey a specific storytelling tone, the studio seemed intent on removing a scene crucial for maintaining that tone. This tension between the Christmas cheer and the spine-chilling atmosphere of a horror movie was noted by screenwriter Christopher Columbus in an interview with Yahoo.
“I’m fascinated by Christmas as the time of year when people are at their most emotional and happiest, yet there’s a whole other side of the population that’s incredibly depressed, potentially out of work, particularly this year. So you take that, and you set it against the backdrop of back in the day something like Gremlins. And that’s an interesting stew to me. When people should be celebrating with their families, these ridiculously evil monsters are terrorizing the town and killing everyone. That is fascinating,” he said. He also revealed that the inspiration for the scene came from a cartoon by Gahan Wilson, published in Playboy in 1964, where a man dressed as Santa Claus is depicted as a skeleton in a chimney.
1980s classic film, Gremlins, stood out due to its unique approach of merging diverse genres, skillfully combining humor and terror. The movie underscored the idea that even the cutest creatures or festive atmospheres can possess hidden dangers. This creative narrative twist is what made the scene starring Kate an enduring masterpiece, while also sparking imitations of Gremlins.
Gremlins is available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
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2024-12-07 21:09