Fright Night by John Skipp

Fright Night Reviews

• 
  Peter

  Charley sees his new neighbors carrying in a new coffin. Are they vampires? If you pick up this novelization you'll soon find out if Charley is stuck in some horror fantasy or has some real evidence proving his theory. Will Peter (not me, but the famous vampire hunter from Fright Night) help him and his girlfriend Amy? What about the new neighbors? This is a real rollercoaster ride of fun and horror with some eerie scenes and sexual allusions (no Laymon though but Amy is getting laid here). Very entertaining, excellent creep night, I mean Fright Night. Really recommended!
• 
  Gianfranco Mancini

  
  
  Vote:
  
  ☆☆☆ if you are into horror and not-sparkly vampires.
  ☆☆☆☆ if you are into horror and liked the motion picture who inspired this novelization.
  ☆☆☆☆☆ if you are into splatterpunk genre and/or watched the 1985 movie something like 50+ times... I'm one of them.
  
  
  
  He watched her walk up to the old house and put a dainty finger to the buzzer. The door opened almost immediately. Charley couldn't see who let her in. But she was still smiling as she disappeared into the house. It washed away whatever nervousness he had.
  All was right with the world.
  
  This Fright Night book is a novelization of the original movie of the same name, based on director Tom Holland's screenplay, and first collaboration ever of authors John Skipp and  Craig Spector, pioneers and founders of splatterpunk horror fiction 80s movement.
  
  
  
  Evil Ed grinned. "There've been two identical murders in the last two days, Brewster. And get this," he added gleefully. "Both of 'em had their heads cut off! Can you stand it?" He cackled. "Fuck Fright Night, Chucko. We got a real monster here!"
  "You're a sick man, Evil. Real sick."
  
  The two authors had one month to write this novel, and later John Skipp revealed in an interview he had to heavy rewrite Spector's parts because he was just starting to get his chops up, to use Skipp's words, and his voice was really coming into its own.
  
  
  
  "Yeah," Charley continued. "And you'll find Jerry Dandrige in it, sleeping the sleep of the undead!"
  "What are you talking about?"
  Lennox was utterly mystified now.
  "He's a vampire!" Charley practically screamed."
  
  Despite this premise, this scene by scene besides a few light deviations from original script novelization is just one of the best ones I ever read, perfectly balancing 80s' teen horror comedy and gruesome one genres, giving more depth to the characters, because of the authors letting us peek inside their heads and thoughts, and adding to the mix (without exceding too much, we are still far from future novels like The Light at the End) doses of sex, hilarious comments about vampiric breast size and gory violence, but being this a book from the two fathers of splatterpunk, this was expected and much welcomed.
  
  
  
  Charley's breath caught in his throat. This can't be happening.
  His mother's guest leaned forward, smiled and skewered him with its eyes.
  "Hi, Charley," the vampire said.
  "I've heard so much about you."
  Charley's jaw dangled slackly. If all the saliva in his mouth hadn't dried up in terror, he might have drooled.
  
  So it was a real page turning pleasure, for this old fan of the 1985 movie, finding out in these pages that Charley's father divorced from his mother, Charley and Evil Ed have been best friends since Charley rescued Ed from bullies in 7th grade school, and last but not least Peter Vincent's real name is Herbert McHoolihe.
  
  
  
  Peter Vincent was scared. More than that, Herbert McHoolihee was scared. The man behind the pseudonym had been cowering since he first auditioned for a bit part in Fingers of Fear. He'd gotten a bigger part than he'd bargained for, and Peter Vincent had been born.
  
  
  
  And his blood froze in his veins.
  He couldn't believe his eyes.
  There they were: Charley, looking sullen and impatient; Amy, staring
  dreamily into space...
  And Ed, heartily shaking hands with the thin air before him.
  Peter looked up. There was Dandrige, all effluent grace.
  He looked down. No Dandrige.
  Dandridge.
  No Dandridge.
  Peekaboo.
  
  To say nothing about Brewster and Evil Ed's school name easter-egg: Christopher L. Cushing High School. A reference to vampire movie icons Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing that just made my day.
  
  
  
  "Well, Eddie," he said. "What are we going to do?"
  Eddie turned and smiled, putting on his best Tonto tone. "What do you mean, we,' white man?" he answered.
  The joke was entirely on Peter. He stared, slack-jawed and blanched as a mackerel, at the horror preening before him.
  
  So this book had on me the same experience of the movie, my most favourite vampire 80s one together with The Lost Boys and Near Dark: a cheesy, thrilling, creepy, funny and entertaining ride, definetely worth reading if you are a fan of the cult flick who inspired it.
  
  
  
  "Welcome to the real Fright Night. You, Mr. Vincent, are tonight's guest host. And our pesky young friend here," gesturing at Charley, "gets to watch."
  Something in the vampire's tone made Peter's bowels turn to jelly.
  He gulped, his confidence blown out of the water.
  
  And now I just have to re-watch the movie as soon as possible, and then re-watch it again and again.
  
  
• 
  Jack Tripper

  This was a terrific adaptation of one of my all-time favorite 80s horror movies. I'm not one who typically reads a lot of novelizations, but I make exceptions when it's a movie I love, written by an author I love. And I love me some Skipp and Spector (mostly). What's surprising about this one is just how closely it follows the film. Usually there will be a lot of minor differences due to the fact that the author is often given an earlier version of the screenplay to work with so that the book can be published in time for the movie's release.
  
  Here, though, Todd Holland's initial script must have been close to the final product, as I couldn't detect any major scene differences at all, but then again it's been a few years since I've seen the picture. Of course we now get to know what the characters are thinking during all this, and I felt Skipp and Spector kept the tone of these interior dialogues -- and the writing style in general -- consistent with the scary and slightly comedic tone of the film.
  
  You might be asking, what's the point of reading this if it follows the movie so exactly? Well, there probably isn't one unless, like me, you're a big fan of the movie and the authors, and would enjoy getting that little bit of extra info: What was the vampire Dandrige thinking during all this? Or Peter Vincent? Or Charlie Brewsters mom even? Also, as an aside, Evil Ed is much more fully fleshed out and sympathetic here.
  
  If you're "meh" on this movie or the authors then this probably won't do anything for you. But if you're in the mood for some good ole' cheesy 80s horror about a vampire in suburbia written by a couple of the OGs of splatterpunk (though this definitely isn't splatterpunk), this should be nothing but good times. Plus, I see it's been reprinted, so you won't have to pay an obscene price like I did.
• 
  Phil

  Skipp and Spector's novelization of the 1985 film Fright Night starts with a bang and never lets up. I have never seen the film (something I will rectify directly), but if the novelization is anything to go by, it is over the top shlockfest/splatstick horror that 80s films are rightfully known for. The authors must have had as much fun with this as watching the film!
  
  Our main protagonist Charley is your average high schooler, drives a 68 mustang, and struggles with algebra. The book starts with his struggles over his girlfriend's bra clasps during a 'study session', when Charley notices someone carrying a coffin into the basement of the vacant house next door. His mind, perhaps numbed by his obsession with horror films, focuses on the activity next door, leaving his girlfriend Amy to leave in a tiff. And don't you know, but soon after than Charley starts seeing people go into the house next door and then reads about their mutilated dead bodies being found around town. The cops of course don't believe his stories, and he even tries to recruit a washed up B actor who hosts a late night horror show...
  
  Fun stuff, but I think I will like the movie better. 3 toothy stars!!
• 
  Cameron Chaney

  I have a full video review of this on the way, but as a fan of the movie I found this to be a really fun read that stays close to the movie but uses the format to flesh things out a little more.
• 
  Craig

  This is a good adaptation of the cult-classic vampire film. It follows the script fairly faithfully, though there are a couple of amusingly enhanced bits. It was the first book from the men credited with creating the splatterpunk genre. If you liked the film....
• 
  Jevron McCrory

  This book is the same experience as the movie; campy creepy fun!
  
  It's a thrilling little read that won't tax your brain but will make you laugh out loud and shudder in equal measure. An 80s vampire cult classic that stands proudly alongside The Lost Boys and Near Dark, this book is definitely worth picking up - if you can find it, it's pretty damn rare now.
  
  AND, of special note, if you ever wondered what Peter Vincent's REAL name is, wonder no more! That alone is worth the price of the book!
• 
  chucklesthescot

  Charley is obsessed with vampires and loves nothing more than watching Fright Night, where former horror film star turned host Peter Vincent presents his own films. On this night, Charley is distracted to see a coffin being taken into the basement of the house next door and he is curious enough to do a bit of spying. First he hears a woman scream, and then he sees his neighbour Jerry Dandrige with fangs and preparing to bite a second woman, both of their faces appearing on the news later as dead. The trouble is Jerry has seen Charley watching too. In a panic Charley turns to the police who back away as soon as he mentions vampires, and even his horror loving friend Ed doesn't seem to believe him. His only hope to survive is Peter Vincent but will he believe him?
  
  Charley is just a normal teenage boy who loves horror films, hanging out with girlfriend Amy and lives with his neurotic mother. He is exactly the kind of kid you go to school with and don't pay much attention to. His best friend is the school weirdo and fellow horror film fanatic 'Evil' Ed, though being with Amy is more of a priority. Amy is a bit of a pain with her sulks every time Charley isn't paying her full attention. Stopping talking to her to catch a local news broadcast about murders in the town is enough for her to throw a bit of a hissy fit. I find her a little bit self obsessed in the book. Ed is somewhat resentful in the book that Charley doesn't hang out with him now that he is seeing Amy so he is a bit bitter and refuses to do anything to help Charley at all, until Amy forces him too.
  
  The book stays pretty close to the film in terms of content, most of the minor changes are in conversations with the characters, a few as mentioned above in the way the characters interact. In the scene at the club though, the author talks about the music being things like Michael Jackson's Thriller and Duran Duran's Hungry like the wolf and though I'm a big fan of 80's music like that, I found myself wondering why the songs from the film weren't actually given a bit of promotion in the book. The film soundtrack was excellent and I own it for my collection. I just found it strange that the music was changed in the book here. The scene of the chase to the club loses the tension as in the book Jerry keeps popping up with witty one liners as he follows them-I much prefer the menacing looks from the shadows in the film.
  
  The character of Peter seems even more pathetic in this book but we do get a brief insight into how he became a star somewhat reluctantly and I'd have liked seeing a bit more of this. You can't blame him for being so scared when confronted with a real vampire-Peter Vincent is a character that the man played for money and he never believed in his subject matter. I'd also have liked to see more of Billy. We get a paragraph about what drives him but I'd have liked to see that explored a bit more, alongside his relationship with Jerry. I liked the brief glimpses into Ed as a vampire and wanted to see more of that too. Jerry's character though, was a bit of a disappointment. His dramatic 'witty' jokes throughout the book's supposed tense and scary moments were an unwelcome distraction and made him feel more like a pantomime bad guy than the suave, charasmatic and deadly vampire he is in the film. I didn't much like turning him into a bit of an idiot.
  
  The reason I loved the film so much is that vampires were the first film monsters that I really loved. I'd watch Christopher Lee as Dracula in the old Hammer films and become fascinated by scary vampires. Watching a film that gets me thinking what if a vampire actually did move in next to you is fun! You certainly won't be going to tell the police and your friends are likely to think you are either going mad or playing a dumb joke on them, so what happens to Charley is quite realistic. I enjoyed the humour from Jerry, Billy and Ed in the film, which mixes nicely with the horror action. My favourite scene was Peter in Jerry's house and waving his cross yelling 'back spawn of Satan!' only to have Jerry laugh at him. 'You have to have FAITH!' I also loved Billy's interactions with the cop over the vampire topic but that was sadly changed too much for the book.
  
  Biggest niggle in this book is the lack of attention to detail when it comes to editing. There is no break in the text between paragraphs and new scenes, which is pretty annoying for a book written to accompany the horror film. Without paragraphs the scene just changes several times from one line to the next. I can't recall where it stands on spelling mistakes and sentence structure as I put nothing in my notes about it.
  
  Overall it is a decent read but the author has changed a few too many elements which loses the charm of the film and characters a bit. It's ok but not one I'd go back to again, unlike the film.
• 
  Aaron

  A bit thin, like the film and screenplay it's based on, Skipp and Spector's novelization of Fright Night still captures some of the tawdry thrills of 80s horror without tumbling into excess like most of S&S's splatterpunk contemporaries. Their concurrent vampire novel, The Light at the End, is far better and much more visceral than Fright Night, but I enjoyed this well enough, and it's over before it could get old. Apparently my paperback edition is worth an awful lot, so I'll keep it for memorabilia sake.
• 
  Ming Wei

  Compelling reading, story about a Vampire moving next door, and in the begining nobody would believe this, seeking the help of Peter Vincent. Sotryline generally follows the path of the movie, (the original movie, not the remake). A good Vampire story, easy to read, flew through the book in a couple of days, absorbing, interesting, no editorial errors that I could spot, good writting skills, the writer style is eas y to read, understand. Enjoyed this book allot.
  
• 
  Krystal Hooten

  This is a fun read if you enjoyed the original 1984 movie, and probably even if you never saw it. It was one of my first horror films, so this was an enjoyable easy read just before Halloween. It's not great literature, but you know that when you pick it up. Made me rewatch the movie!
• 
  Tanya

  I love movie novelizations and this book was no exception anyone who is a fan of the movie should definitely read this book
• 
  Jessica Click

  This book is amazing! I loved it! If you like the movie then this is a book for you! It's only slightly different from the movie, but the slight changes in the book are cool!
• 
  {U n s o l v e d M y s t e r y}

  
  Welcome to Fright Night.....for real!
  
  The paperback copies are pricey but you can buy an ebook version for under 5 US dollars.
  Woot! Woot! Go buy NOW!
  
  The Fright Night movie is a horror favorite of mine. This was as much fun to read as to watch the movie.
  
  It didn't follow the movie exactly. Some scenes were the same or similar.
  The book had scenes and dialog that were not in the movie. I'm glad the movie didn't have these.
  I think it would have taken the charm away from the movie had they been added.
  
  I think the movie was better but....I did enjoy the book. It gave me an inside view of the thoughts of the characters that the movie didn't have.
  
  Watch this movie if you haven't seen it.
  Read the book if you haven't read it.
  You're sure to have a good time with both. =)
  
  (This review is for the original Fright Night, not the godawful remake.)
• 
  Tom

  My first exposure to the works of John Skipp and Craig Spector. Quite possibly the strongest movie novelization I've read. It remains mostly faithful to the film while still expanding the story with some humorous backstory and showing the thoughts inside the characters' heads.
• 
  Reed Roberts

  Fright Night by John Skipp and Craig Spector is a vampire novel you must read, closely correlates with the movie!
• 
  Mark Richard

  >>>>>>>> '' Algebra.....If I get it down.......She'll be impressed...... I can get her clothes off''<<<<<
  In theory this sounds like a winner but trust me it is far from it. Far, far from it. Firstly Algebra sucks and secondly Girls know it sucks too and knowing how it works will most certainly ruin your chances with girls -- clothed or otherwise.....
  
  Charlie Brewster loves watching FRIGHT NIGHT on the tele box and most of all, his favourite Vampire/monster slayer PETER VINCENT>>>>> and when Charlie realises that his new next door neighbour IS a VAMPIRE he can only think of one man to arrive and save the day.... The only problem is..... this Peter Vincent guy isn't as brave in real life as he is on TV.......
  
  This book is great, the perfect length with more than enough moments to keep you well and truly wrapped up within the pages. Great fun.
  
  If that wasn't enough, this BOOK teaches you a great lesson..... Never trust your neighbours. Never. No matter how nice they seem, no matter how handsome/beautiful they are, no matter how nice they keep their gardens...... because you never know when they'll be looming over your shoulder and bearing their fangs........ although, if you survived the attack you could live forever.... I guess its up to you....
• 
  TSam

  So I read this book because I love the 2011 remake of this movie and I am definitely not disappointed with this one.
  
  This is very fast paced and the characters are very well written, I especially love how Jerry was written. But the climax fell a little flat for me to be honest. Even so, I had a really good time reading this. Wish this was a longer tho and Charley's relationships with Evil Edd, Amy, heck even Jerry, were more explored.
• 
  Hannah Jhon Famor Maligon

  This book make me crazy and unconfortable situations.
  I am shouting,scared and always hide in my pillow :)
  so I finished watched and it was amazing movie. ^_^
  
  What a incredible characters make proud of it.
  I am movie fun. :)
  But not almost like it because sometimes there was not properly or over re-acting.
  This movie I love it *_*
• 
  Charles

  A novelization of the movie. I liked the movie quite a lot and this wasn't a bad book about it. It took a bit to get into but was very good toward the ened. I've liked Skipp and Spector's original stuff a lot more, though.
• 
  Doug Allison

  if you've seen the movie, you know what you are in for....but S&S still make it compelling reading, and gets in the heads of the characters better than the movie itself!
• 
  Joe Noir

  In my opinion the second best film novelization ever. See "Dirty Harry" by Philip Rock.
• 
  Melody

  Believe it or not, I read this when I was in the sixth grade. At the time I thought it was pretty awesome. I had to have this book after my mom took me to see the movie, multiple times.
• 
  Ralph Carlson

  A great and fun read of a novelization of the fun horror movie.
• 
  Catherine

  Charley Brewster has a vampire living next door to him, people are turning up dead, and no one believes him when he tells them who is next door and what they’ve been doing. Until they have no choice but to believe him!
  
  It’s definitely not as good as the film. The characters fall flat here without the actors to bring them life. However, I enjoyed it for what it was and it definitely made me want to rewatch the movie soon as it has been awhile!
  
  If you are a fan of the movie, this is worth a read to catch the differences!
• 
  Allison Kirch)

  Lol...You're so cool, Brewster!
• 
  Rob

  The remarkable thing is, as I was reading I realized that the story can work on its own as a novel. Pretend the film didn't exist, and the story was originally created as a written word type story...it stands on its own. That being said the film is of course just a smidge better, this is a story originally intended to be seen and not read, I get that as the author tried to slip in some unnecessary character traits and dialogue.....and good Lord the monolgues! I could really go the rest of my life without the monologues and the cringey descriptions of sensuality, perhaps that makes me sound like an old stiff. Well I think I prefer to be that way. Regardless, this will be very short no need for a lengthy review, if you've never seen the movie PLEASE do so, and you can come back and thank me in the comments. And also if you loved it to the fullest extent maybe even pick this up, this is not your stereotypical vampire story I assure you.
• 
  Nick

  Pretty good.