Retro Blood 164: The Children (1980)

Retro Blood

Join James Kline and J.H. Alison as Retro Blood kicks off its Holiday Review Month, exploring 1980s horror movies featuring bad kids and even badder toys! This week, the boys make their first stop in Ravensback to break down the nuclear nightmare that is The Children.

The episode opens with some quick thoughts on the film, praising its intriguing concept but calling out its uneven execution. The boys also start their Holiday Beer Reviews with a selection of seasonal stouts—because what’s holiday horror without a good brew? 🍺

In the Weekly History Segment, they dive into what was happening in the world of pro wrestling and metal music around the film’s release. For pro wrestling, they head to June 6, 1980, and discuss the New Japan Pro Wrestling Madison Square Garden League Finals, a pivotal tournament for the promotion. On the metal side, they jump to September 26, 1980, to talk about Queen’s iconic frontman Freddie Mercury and how his legendary look was taking shape during this era.

Next, the boys go behind the scenes with some production notes on The Children. They explore co-writer Carlton J. Albright’s creative influence, the drama surrounding his decision to hire Max Kalmanowicz as director, and Albright’s use of his own kids as the creepy, black-nailed zombie children. They also dig into the wild stories of Martin, the on-set drug dealer, and wonder aloud if every 1980s horror film required one! Plus, they discuss the film’s unexpected popularity at Arizona drive-in theaters, where lines were backed up for blocks.

Finally, it’s time for the full review. From the radioactive zombie goth kids to Sheriff Bill Hart’s hilariously inept policing, they cover it all. They discuss Jackson the jacked dude, the prevalence of J-names in the film, and why John might just be the true MVP of this chaotic story.

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Get ready for some small-town scares and holiday fun with the Retro Blood crew! Streaming now. 🎄🩸 #RetroBlood #HolidayHorror #TheChildren1980 #ZombieKids #StoutBeer #ProWrestlingHistory #MetalMusic