The Clown Murders
A 1976 Canadian horror film featuring John Candy.
The Clown Murders is a 1976 Canadian horror film directed by Martyn Burke. It is notable as one of the earliest films in which John Candy appears, and its executive producer was Stephen Stohn, who later produced the Degrassi: The Next Generation TV series. The film follows four friends who dress as clowns on Halloween to kidnap a businessman's wife as a prank, but the scheme turns violent and an unknown stalker in a clown costume begins hunting them.
- release_year
- 1976
- country
- Canada
- director
- Martyn Burke
- executive_producer
- Stephen Stohn
- genre
- Horror
- notable_cast_member
- John Candy
Lore & Background
The Clown Murders was released in Canada in September 1976 by Astral Films. The plot involves four friends who dress as clowns on Halloween and kidnap a businessman's wife to stop a land deal, but the prank escalates with real violence and an unknown clown-costumed stalker. The cast includes Stephen Young, Susan Keller, Lawrence Dane, John Candy, Gary Reineke, John Bayliss, Al Waxman, William Osler, and Philip Craig.
Reader's Guide
The Clown Murders is significant as an early film appearance for John Candy, who later became a major comedic star. Despite Candy's small role, the film's 1985 VHS and Betamax release in the United States by Trans World Entertainment featured him prominently on the cover. The film received generally negative reviews, with critics citing poor writing, lack of tension, and boredom. It was released on DVD in 2007 by Image Entertainment. Its legacy lies mainly in its connection to Candy and Stephen Stohn, and as a minor entry in Canadian horror cinema.
Did You Know?
- John Candy appears in one of his earliest film roles in The Clown Murders.
- Executive producer Stephen Stohn later produced the Degrassi: The Next Generation TV series.
- The film was released on VHS and Betamax in the United States in 1985 by Trans World Entertainment, with John Candy receiving first billing on the cover.
- The film was released on DVD on July 12, 2007 by Image Entertainment.
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