April 14th releases
The Blood on Satan's Claw
April 14th, 1971 - Cannon Releasing Corp. released 'The Blood on Satan's Claw', directed by Piers Haggard. The film takes place in the 17th century where a local farmer (played by Barry Andrews) unearths the skeletal remains of a demonic being while plowing his land. Soon after, many of the young townsfolk are marked with the sign of the beast and while in a possessed state, start up their own Satanic cult. It's up to the farmer and a local judge to rid the town of the evil presence. I caught some of this a couple of years back when it played on Turner Classic Movies. The film has a feel similar to 'Children of the Corn', 'Witchfinder General' and 'The Wicker Man'. Definitely worth checking out.
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The Beast in the Cellar
April 14th, 1971 - Cannon Releasing Corp. released 'The Beast in the Cellar', written and directed by James Kelley. This film is about two old British women who have been harboring a deep dark secret in their basement for the past 30 years. The "secret" being their younger brother, who has been locked in the basement, but manages to escape and begins killing military soldiers at a nearby Army base. 'The Beast in the Cellar' was released as a double bill, along with the before mentioned 'The Blood on Satan's Claw'.
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Edge of Sanity
April 14th, 1989 - Millimeter Films released 'Edge of Sanity', directed by Gérard Kikoïne. Shot in Hungary and England, the film stars Anthony Perkins (Psycho), who plays duel roles of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde...with Hyde committing murders reminiscent of Jack "The Ripper". I picked up a VHS copy at my local flea market awhile back for $1, although I've yet to watch it. From what I understand the film had a very limited release in theatres where it grossed just over $100,000.
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American Psycho
April 14th, 2000 - Lions Gate Films released 'American Psycho', directed by Mary Harron. The film is based on the 1991 novel written by Bret Easton Ellis. Christian Bale shines in the role of psychotic yuppie Wall Street Broker Patrick Bateman...a man who spends his days embracing society and his nights devouring it. At one point, before Mary Harron was on board to direct, the script was offered to both Stuart Gordon (Re-Animator) and David Cronenberg (Videodrome). The film opened in 1,236 theatres coming in #7 at the weekend box office, taking in $4.96 million. With a $7 million production budget, it would go on to gross over $15 million in the United States.
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