10 Things You May Not Know About Halloween (1978)

Compass International Pictures

Halloween (1978) is a classic horror movie that is widely known and celebrated. It is the film that introduced us to Michael Myers, the masked killer who terrorized the small town of Haddonfield, Illinois. As Halloween season is upon us, we have gathered 10 interesting facts about the movie that you may not have known. Enjoy reading them!

1. Small Time, Small Budget

The movie was shot in just 20 days on a budget of $320,000. Despite its low budget, the film became a huge success and grossed over $70 million worldwide.

2. The Mask

Michael Myers’ mask was a Captain Kirk mask painted white. The filmmakers bought the mask for $1.98 and modified it to create the iconic look of the killer.

3. The Music

The film’s famous score was inspired by director John Carpenter’s music. Carpenter, who is also a musician, composed the score for Halloween (1978) himself. The simple yet haunting piano melody was influenced by his music and the works of minimalist composers like Philip Glass and Steve Reich. Carpenter’s score has since become one of the most recognizable and iconic pieces of horror movie music.

4. Small Payday

Jamie Lee Curtis, who played the lead role of Laurie Strode, was paid only $8,000 for her performance. She went on to become a horror movie icon and reprised her role in several sequels.

5. Steadicam

The film’s opening scene was shot from Michael Myers’ point of view using a Steadicam. This technique, which had never been used before, created a sense of tension that set the tone for the rest of the movie.

6. Painted Leaves

The movie was filmed in Southern California, but the setting was supposed to be in Illinois. To create the illusion of fall weather, the crew had to paint leaves brown and scatter them on the ground.

7. Name Origin

The character of Michael Myers was named after a real-life producer who worked on John Carpenter’s previous film, “Assault on Precinct 13.” The producer, Irwin Yablans, suggested the name Michael Myers for the killer, and Carpenter liked the sound of it.

8. Dr. Loomis

The character of Dr. Loomis, Michael Myers’ psychiatrist, was named after a character in Alfred Hitchcock’s “Psycho”.

9. Coming Home

The film’s famous tagline, “The night he came home”, refers to Michael Myers’ return to his hometown of Haddonfield, Illinois.

10. Single Take

The film’s iconic ending was shot in a single take. The scene shows Laurie Strode sitting on the front porch of the Doyle house, surrounded by the bodies of her friends, while Michael Myers’ breathing can be heard in the background. The shot was achieved by using a crane to pull the camera away from the porch, creating a sense of distance and isolation. The ending has become one of horror movies’ most memorable and chilling moments.