I will forever be grateful that I grew up in the era of the video store. The amazing artwork that emblazoned the VHS covers has ingrained itself in my mind, regardless of whether I’d seen the film. As these boutique Blu-ray labels bring the forgotten gems to the modern age, they will often be released with new artwork while the original is also included on the other side of the slip. When I heard Arrow Video was releasing Girls Nite Out (1982), it took me a moment to remember the film. After seeing the original artwork, the memory of it came flooding back. I’d never seen the movie, so it was a welcome surprise to see it getting a proper release.
At Dewitt University, it’s almost time to celebrate the annual Scavenger Hunt, so a party is in order. As the basketball team and their ladies deal with relationship woes, a masked killer, dressed as the team mascot (a bear), begins to off them one by one. There are tales of an escaped mental patient who could be the culprit, but the secret behind the mask could run much deeper than anyone imagined.
Aside from the brief opening sequence, it takes nearly forty minutes (or longer) before things get creepy again. Directed by Robert Deubel, Girls Nite Out is slow-moving, but it does balance humor and horror relatively well. The idea of the mascot being the killer is pretty fun. However, the inventiveness of the kills is a bit lackluster compared to the output we are already familiar with during that time period.
Practical effects ran rampant during the era, and it all could have worked on a higher level had there been more on display. The cast definitely delivers above-average performances, and the film appears to have a bit of a budget. Girls Nite Out is certainly entertaining. It feels like it’s drawn out too long, and the pacing is a bit off. Having Hal Holbrook make an appearance certainly adds to the picture’s credibility.
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The Arrow Video Blu-ray set is packed to the gills with Special Features, including a brand new 2K restoration from 35mm vault elements, original uncompressed mono audio, subtitles, new audio commentary from film critic/author Justin Kerswell and film historian/author Amanda Reyes, brand new interviews with Julia Montgomery, Laura Summer, Lois Robbins, Paul Christie, Lauren-Marie Taylor, and John Didrichsen, trailers, and more.
Girls Nite Out might not be a major classic, but it does offer up some interesting kills, a solid story, and better-than-average performances. It’s certainly worth adding to your ’80s slasher collection and maybe revisiting on a rare occasion.
