Screams and Screens: A Deep Dive into the original Halloween movie, Michael Myers and Halloween Movie Posters

In the realm of horror cinema, few characters have left as indelible a mark as Michael Myers from the iconic Halloween franchise. Debuting in John Carpenter’s 1978 film, Michael Myers embodies the essence of fear with his eerie, steely presence and relentless pursuit of victims. Now, 46 years since its release and Halloween quickly coming round again, we celebrate the legacy of this cult classic, we will take look back at the movies, some of the interesting facts about its making, why Michael Myers has become such an iconic horror movie figure, and look at the movie posters that helped capture the imagination of movie goers all over the world.

From the haunting simplicity of the original poster to the more elaborate designs of its sequels, each piece of artwork reflects the evolving landscape of horror cinema and the cultural impact of Michael Myers. Join us as we take a closer look at the original Halloween movie, delve into the psychology of Michael Myers, and examine the striking movie posters that have defined this legendary franchise.

Movies in the Halloween franchise:

But first, here's a chronological list of the 13 movies in the Halloween movie franchise to date:

• Halloween (1978) John Carpenter's original classic!
• Halloween II (1981)
• Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982) - (Note: This film is standalone and does not feature Michael Myers)
• Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988)
• Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989)
• Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers (1995)
• Halloween H20: 20 Years Later (1998)
• Halloween: Resurrection (2002)
• Halloween (2007) - (Rob Zombie’s reboot)
• Halloween II (2009) - (Rob Zombie’s sequel)
• Halloween (2018) - (Direct sequel to the original 1978 film)
• Halloween Kills (2021)
• Halloween Ends (2022)

Halloween (1978): How the movie came to be made!

The idea for the original Halloween movie emerged from the collaboration between producer Irwin Yablans and director John Carpenter. Yablans wanted to create a film that would capitalize on the success of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974), and he proposed a story about a psychopathic killer stalking babysitters on Halloween night.

Carpenter co-wrote the screenplay with his longtime collaborator, Debra Hill. They aimed to create a simple yet effective narrative, focusing on suspense and tension rather than explicit violence. The script introduced the character of Michael Myers, a masked killer who escapes from a mental institution and returns to his hometown to wreak havoc.

Irwin Yablans was able to secure financing through his connections in the film industry. He approached Moustapha Akkad, a producer who had previously made successful films in the genre. Akkad agreed to finance the project, recognising the potential for profit in the burgeoning horror movie genre.

To raise additional funds, Yablans and Carpenter also pre-sold distribution rights to various territories. This strategy helped them secure the necessary budget before the film was even completed, allowing them to start production with a guaranteed return.

Carpenter himself contributed to the financing by using earnings from his earlier film, Assault on Precinct 13 (1976). This personal investment demonstrated his commitment to the project and helped bridge the financial gap.

Reportedly, the original budget for Halloween was approximately $300,000-$320,000, which was low compared to most Hollywood movies, even for an independent movie in the late 70's.

The Making of Halloween: the interesting and the controversial?

The making of Halloween (1978) is filled with fascinating stories and interesting behind-the-scenes facts:

The Low Budget: Halloween was made with a budget of only $300,000, which was extremely low even for the late 1970s. To keep costs down, many of the cast and crew took on multiple roles. Director John Carpenter was paid only $10,000 for writing, directing, and scoring the film, though he did receive a percentage of the profits.

Filming in Spring, Not Fall: Even though Halloween takes place in the fall, it was actually filmed in the spring of 1978 in Southern California. This meant the production had to fake the autumn setting. The crew collected bags of fake leaves, which they scattered around the set to give the illusion of fall. After filming each scene, they would gather the leaves and reuse them in the next location.

The Iconic Michael Myers Mask: The now-famous Michael Myers mask was a last-minute decision. The production team purchased a Captain Kirk (William Shatner) mask for $1.98 at a local costume shop. They painted it white, adjusted the hair, and reshaped the eye holes to give it a blank, emotionless appearance. Interestingly, William Shatner wasn’t aware his face was used until many years later!

Real-Life Horror Inspiration: The character of Michael Myers was partially inspired by John Carpenter’s experience visiting a mental institution. Carpenter recalled meeting a young boy with a completely blank, emotionless stare, which deeply unsettled him. This encounter influenced the creation of Michael as an emotionless force of evil.

The Role of Laurie Strode: Jamie Lee Curtis, who played the lead role of Laurie Strode, was relatively unknown at the time of filming. Carpenter cast her partly because she was the daughter of Janet Leigh, the star of Psycho (1960), which gave the film a connection to the classic horror genre. Curtis was only 19 years old during the filming of Halloween.

Speedy Filming: Halloween was shot in just 20 days in the spring of 1978. Due to the tight schedule, the production had to be extremely efficient, with many scenes filmed in single takes. Despite this quick pace, the result was a highly polished and effective film.

Minimal Gore: Despite being remembered as one of the great slasher films, Halloween has very little blood or graphic violence compared to later entries in the genre. John Carpenter relied heavily on suspense, atmosphere, and the fear of the unknown to create tension, drawing inspiration from Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho.

The Importance of the Music: The iconic, tension-filled score of Halloween was composed by John Carpenter himself in just three days. The simple, repetitive piano theme is now synonymous with the horror genre, and Carpenter’s minimalist approach was crucial to building the film’s terrifying atmosphere. Interestingly, an early test screening without the score left viewers unimpressed, but after Carpenter added his music, the tension skyrocketed.

Dr. Loomis: Donald Pleasence, who played Dr. Sam Loomis, was the biggest star in the cast at the time. Carpenter approached Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing for the role, but both declined due to the low salary. Pleasence ultimately took the role after his daughter, a fan of Carpenter’s work, encouraged him. Pleasence became a defining part of the franchise, reprising his role in several sequels.

The Opening Scene: The opening sequence, in which young Michael Myers murders his sister Judith, was shot in a single take from the killer’s point of view. This unbroken sequence gives the audience an intimate, unsettling perspective of the murder. The scene is often praised for its technical execution, especially given the film’s small budget and limited equipment.

Michael Myers Was Played by Multiple People: Though Nick Castle is primarily credited as Michael Myers in the original film, several others played “The Shape” in specific scenes. For example, Tony Moran portrayed Michael when his face is briefly revealed in the final confrontation with Laurie, while production designer Tommy Lee Wallace performed some of the stunt work.

A reported $300,000-$320,000 Budget Box Office Success: Despite the low budget and modest expectations, Halloween was a massive success. It grossed approximately $70 million worldwide, becoming one of the most successful independent films of all time. Its financial success helped popularise the slasher genre and inspired numerous imitations.

The Script’s Simplicity: The original script, written by John Carpenter and Debra Hill, was quite straightforward. It was originally titled The Babysitter Murders, but the setting was changed to Halloween to give the film a darker backdrop. The story itself is simple, with Carpenter aiming to create a sense of dread through minimalistic storytelling and effective pacing.

Minimal Wardrobe: Jamie Lee Curtis wore clothes from J.C. Penney in the film, with a wardrobe budget of only $100. The actors largely had to supply their own outfits due to the small budget, which contributed to the grounded, everyday feel of the movie.

John Carpenter’s Love for Horror: Carpenter was a big fan of horror films growing up, and Halloween was heavily inspired by earlier horror classics like Psycho and Black Christmas. His love for creating tension and suspense shows in every frame of the movie, which has now become a defining piece of the genre.

Did the original Halloween movie have any challenges, issues or bad press?

While the making of Halloween (1978) is generally regarded as a smooth and successful production, especially considering its low budget and short filming schedule, there are a few negative or contentious elements related to the film. These are not necessarily damaging, but do provide insight into the challenges faced by the producers, director, cast, and crew overall:

Low Pay for Cast and Crew: Many cast members and crew were paid very little, due to the movies small budget. For example, Jamie Lee Curtis earned only $8,000 for her role as Laurie Strode, despite being the lead. Veteran actor Donald Pleasence, who had the highest profile at the time, was paid $20,000 for just five days of work. The film’s success far exceeded anyone’s expectations, but at the time, this low pay was a reflection of the film’s independent nature.

Some crew members have mentioned that the tight budget led to long hours and a grueling schedule, with people often working multiple jobs on set. Production designer Tommy Lee Wallace, for instance, also handled many special effects, art direction, and even played Michael Myers in some scenes.

Accusations of Imitation: After the success of Halloween, accusations arose that it borrowed heavily from an earlier horror film, Black Christmas (1974), directed by Bob Clark. Both films feature a mysterious killer stalking young women, with Black Christmas (1974) using first-person point-of-view shots, much like Halloween's opening scene. John Carpenter has acknowledged seeing Black Christmas, but he has downplayed any direct influence. However, some fans and critics have pointed out similarities between the two films.

John Carpenter and Producer Tension: There were some minor creative disagreements between John Carpenter and producer Irwin Yablans, particularly concerning the direction and vision of the film. Yablans wanted to name the movie The Babysitter Murders and initially pushed for more marketable elements, but Carpenter stuck to his vision of a suspenseful horror film set on Halloween night. Though these tensions were minor, they highlight the difficulty of balancing artistic intent with commercial pressures.

Unpaid Royalties and Legal Issues: Over the years, there have been various disputes involving royalties and profits from Halloween and its sequels. One notable example is the legal battle between producer Moustapha Akkad’s estate and the film’s distributors regarding revenue from the franchise, particularly from Halloween H20 (1998). This led to lawsuits about who was entitled to certain profits, though these legal disputes were not directly related to the 1978 original film itself.

There have also been claims from some crew members that they were never properly compensated after the film became a massive success, particularly since the film made far more than anyone anticipated at the time of production.

John Carpenter received 10% of the profits for Halloween (1978). While his upfront payment was a modest $10,000 for writing, directing, and composing the film’s score, his deal to receive a percentage of the film’s profits turned out to be highly lucrative due to the film’s massive success. The film grossed approximately $70 million worldwide on a $300,000 budget, making Carpenter’s 10% share an estimated $6.97 million.

Stunt Work and Safety Concerns: In low-budget productions like Halloween, safety measures on set can sometimes be compromised due to the rush and lack of resources. For example, there was no extensive stunt team, and many stunts were performed by the actors or crew members. While there were no serious injuries reported, these kinds of independent productions can sometimes push the limits of safety due to cost-saving measures.

Donald Pleasance's Drinking Habits: There have been rumors over the years that Donald Pleasence, who portrayed Dr. Loomis, struggled with alcohol during his time on set. However, these reports remain largely anecdotal and unconfirmed. Despite any possible off-screen issues, Pleasence’s performance has been widely praised, and he became a crucial part of the Halloween franchise.

Rob Zombie's Controversial Comments About The Original Movie: Though not directly related to the 1978 original, director Rob Zombie made controversial comments during interviews while promoting his Halloween (2007) remake. Zombie was critical of John Carpenter’s original vision, claiming that he never liked the original film and that he wanted to bring a grittier, more disturbing take to the franchise. Carpenter, known for his straightforward and no-nonsense attitude, responded to Zombie’s comments with some disappointment, expressing that he was surprised by Zombie’s attitude since Carpenter had previously given him his blessing for the remake.

Accusations of Exploiting Women in Horror Movies: As with many horror films of the era, Halloween has faced criticism for its portrayal of women, particularly the 'final girl' trope, where a lone female survivor faces off against the killer. Some critics have argued that the film’s violence against women, as well as its tendency to punish sexually active female characters while rewarding the 'pure' Laurie Strode, reflects problematic gender stereotypes in horror cinema. However, other scholars and critics have praised the film for introducing a strong female lead and have viewed Laurie as a feminist character who overcomes the killer through her own ingenuity and strength.

Overall, while there are a few contentious elements surrounding the production and legacy of Halloween (1978), they pale in comparison to the overwhelmingly positive reception and massive influence the film has had on the horror genre.

The Movie Posters That Advertised This Classic Spine Chilling Original - Halloween (1978)

In the world of horror movies, the Halloween (1978) One Sheet poster is undoubtedly a work of art.

The US One Sheet (image below), using Robert Gleason's original acrylic painting (2nd image below) of the hand, knife, and pumpkin on black background, sold at auction for USD$83,650 in 2016.

Original Halloween One Sheet movie posters have also risen substantially in value over the last 20 years, now asking over USD$1200.

An Australian Halloween One Sheet (below, left), with different artwork, are now asking over USD$3,000. The poster features a masked figure of Michael Myers, holding a knife peering over a banister looking down at you. Additionally, the poster pays homage to classic monster movies like The Creature of the Black Lagoon and The Bride of Frankenstein, with its use of dark shadow and suggestion.

Whether you're a fan of horror films or a lover of cinematic history, the Halloween One Sheet poster is an enduring symbol of the genre and will continue to send shivers down spines for many years to come.

Interestingly, there was no US Insert sized poster released for this original 1978 release, and no US Lobby Cards, although Lobby Cards were printed for other countries. This makes the Australian Daybill (below, right) quite unique in both its size and artwork.

Australian One Sheet (left) and Australian Daybill (right):

The Halloween movie franchise, now at it's 13th movie, will continue to entertain, chill and scare movie goers for many decades to come.

Happy Halloween!

If you'd like to see what Halloween movie posters Movie Posters Australia has available you can view our Halloween Franchise Movie Poster Collection, or for more, see our Horror Movie Posters.