Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988)

User Rating:

5.6/10   

Director:

Dwight H. Little

Writers (WGA):

Danny Lipsius (story) &
Larry Rattner (story) ...
(more)

Release Date:

21 October 1988 (USA)

Genre:

Horror | Thriller

Tagline:

Ten Years Ago HE Changed The Face Of Halloween. Tonight HE'S BACK!

Plot:

Ten years after his original massacre, the invalid Michael Myers awakens and returns to Haddonfield to kill his seven-year-old niece on Halloween. Can Dr. Loomis stop him?

Plot Keywords:

Michael Myers | Halloween | Ambulance | Murder | Knife

Awards:

2 nominations

US TV Schedule:

Mon. July 20

6:00 PM

AMC

Cast

Donald Pleasence	...	Dr. Sam Loomis
Ellie Cornell	...	Rachel Carruthers
Danielle Harris	...	Jamie Lloyd
George P. Wilbur	...	Michael Myers
Michael Pataki	...	Dr. Hoffman
Beau Starr	...	Sheriff Ben Meeker
Kathleen Kinmont	...	Kelly Meeker
Sasha Jenson	...	Brady
Gene Ross	...	Earl
Carmen Filpi	...	Rev. Jackson P. Sayer
Raymond O'Connor	...	Security Guard
Jeff Olson	...	Richard Carruthers
Karen Alston	...	Darlene Carruthers
Nancy Borgenicht	...	Woman Attendant
David Jensen	...	Man Attendant
Rand Kennedy	...	Trooper #1
Don Glover	...	Trooper #2
Robert Conder	...	Trooper #3
Richard Jewkes	...	Trooper #4
Jordan Bradley	...	Kyle
Richy Cumba	...	Boy
Stephanie Dees	...	Girl
Leslie L. Rohland	...	Lindsey
M.J. McDonnell	...	Dr. Hoffman's Assistant
Harlow Marks	...	Power Worker
Richard Stay	...	Wade
Danny Ray	...	Tommy
Michael Flynn	...	Deputy Pierce
Beverly Rowland	...	Elderly Woman (as Beverly Booth Rowland)
George Sullivan	...	Deputy Logan
Ron Harrison	...	Hick Kid
Tami Sanders	...	Anchorwoman
Walt Logan Field	...	Unger
Michael Ruud	...	Big Al
Eric Hart	...	Orrin Gateway
Donré Sampson	...	State Policeman (as Don Ré Sampson)
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Kelly Lookinland	...	Dead Penney's Gas Waitress (uncredited)
Erik Preston	...	Young Michael Myers (uncredited)
D.L. Walker	...	Mental Patient (uncredited)

Directed by
Dwight H. Little

Writing credits (WGA)
Danny Lipsius		(story) (as Dhani Lipsius) &
Larry Rattner		(story) &
Benjamin Ruffner		(story) and
Alan B. McElroy		(story)
Alan B. McElroy		(screenplay)

Produced by
Moustapha Akkad	....	executive producer
Paul Freeman	....	producer
Anthony Masi	....	commentary producer
Anthony Masi	....	segment producer (bonus segments)
M.N. Sanousi	....	associate producer (as M. Sanousi)

Original Music by
Alan Howarth

Cinematography by
Peter Lyons Collister

Film Editing by
Curtiss Clayton

Casting by
Paul Bengston
David Cohn

Art Direction by
Roger Crandall		(as Roger S. Crandall)

Set Decoration by
Nickle Lauritzen

Costume Design by
Rosalie Wallace

Makeup Department
Kenneth Horn	....	makeup technician
Diane F. Memmott	....	hair stylist (as Diane Memmott)
Susan Reyes	....	makeup artist
Wayne Toth	....	special makeup effects artist

Production Management
S. Michael Formica	....	unit production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Jerry Fleck	....	second assistant director
Denis L. Stewart	....	first assistant director (as Denis Stewart)

Art Department
Tom Altobello	....	third props
Gary Bodily	....	carpenter
Les Boothe	....	lead man
Wendy K. Fischer	....	lead man
Matt Golden	....	production illustrator
Craig Graham	....	lead man
Jeff Jones	....	carpenter
Paul La Chance	....	carpenter
Scott MacCaughern	....	assistant props
Richard W. Meyer	....	construction coordinator (as Richard Meyer)
Roy 'Bucky' Moore	....	property master
Bruce Wing	....	lead man

Sound Department
Barbara Barnaby	....	foley editor
David Bartholomew	....	assistant sound editor
Don Crosby	....	sound editor
Flash Deros	....	boom operator
Martin Dreffke	....	sound editor
Charles Grenzbach	....	sound recording mixer (as Charles 'Bud' Grenzbach)
Greg Jacobs	....	adr editor
John Lawson	....	stereo sound consultant: Ultra Stereo
Mark Hopkins McNabb	....	sound mixer (as Mark McNabb)
Anthony Milch	....	supervising sound editor (as Anthony R. Milch)
Richard D. Rogers	....	sound recording mixer
John Wilkinson	....	sound recording mixer (as John 'Doc' Wilkinson)

Special Effects by
John Carl Buechler	....	special effects makeup designer (as John Buechler)
John Carl Buechler	....	special effects makeup supervisor (as John Buechler)
Michael Deak	....	on-set effects supervisor
Larry Fioritto	....	special effects coordinator
John Foster	....	special effects production manager
Robert Phillips	....	special effects assistant (as Bob Phillips)
Patrick Simmons	....	special effects technician
Tom Tallon	....	special effects department
Wayne Toth	....	special effects
George Zamora	....	special effects assistant

Stunts
Carl Ciarfalio	....	stunts
Laura Dash	....	stunt double: Danielle Harris
Debbie Evans	....	driving stunt double: Ellie Cornell
Kent Hays	....	stunts
Lane Leavitt	....	stunts
Fred Lerner	....	stunt coordinator
Fred Lerner	....	stunts
Bob Miles	....	stunts
Tom Morga	....	stunts
Patricia M. Peters	....	stunt double: Ellie Cornell
Fenton Quinn	....	stunts (as Fenton G. Quinn)
George P. Wilbur	....	stunts
Doug Coleman	....	stunts (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department
Paul C. Babin	....	camera operator (as Paul Babin)
Alan Casco	....	Steadicam operator
Bryan Clifton	....	dolly grip
Harry Conklin	....	dolly grip
Harry Conklin	....	utility grip
John Connell	....	first assistant camera
Rhett E. Fernsten	....	best boy (as Rhett Fernsten)
Jason Fife	....	best boy
Julie Fife	....	electrician
Steve John Grnya Jr.	....	grip
David R. Kohn	....	electrician (as David Kohn)
Chuck La Rocca	....	key grip
Alan Oakes	....	grip
Henning Schellerup	....	electrician
Garlan Wilde	....	gaffer
Sharon Wilson	....	second assistant camera

Casting Department
Deedee Bradley	....	casting associate
Terri Pappas	....	extras casting

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Lawane Cole	....	second assistant wardrobe
Marian 'Betsy' Russell	....	wardrobe

Editorial Department
Gary Burritt	....	negative cutter
Carla Christina Formica	....	second assistant editor
Greg Hayden	....	second assistant editor
David R. Jenkins	....	apprentice editor
Caroline Ross	....	assistant editor

Music Department
John Carpenter	....	composer: theme "Halloween"

Transportation Department
Michael 'Crash' Anderson	....	driver (as Mike Anderson)
John R. Baumer	....	driver
Peter Daniels	....	driver
Mickey Guinn	....	driver
Tam Halling	....	transportation coordinator
Chava Monjaraz	....	driver
Daniel Phillips	....	transportation captain
Chris Reiter	....	transportation co-captain
David Shaffer	....	driver

Other crew
Malek Akkad	....	production assistant
Linda 'Bunky' Conklin	....	script supervisor
Nour Dardari	....	assistant production accountant (as M. Nour Dardari)
Tony Habeeb	....	publicist
Kelly Lookinland	....	production secretary (as Kelly W. Lookinland)
Mike Lookinland	....	production assistant
Manuel Lozano	....	caterer
Mary Lou Nelson	....	assistant to executive producer
Louise Pezel	....	studio teacher
Fenton Quinn	....	first aid
Tessa Rodriguez	....	production assistant
German Rodriquez	....	caterer
Troy Rohovit	....	production assistant
John Rymer	....	location utility
Arlene Sibley	....	location coordinator
Dorothy Sidwell	....	production coordinator (as Dorothy M. Sidwell)
Jette Sorensen	....	production accountant
Paul Swearingen	....	audience host
Matt Tapia	....	production assistant
Anthony Vickers	....	craft service
Ronald Walkshorse	....	hot set security
Clint Youngreen	....	animal trainer
Oscar Zoghbi	....	executive in charge of finance
Scott Robertson Price	....	set production assistant (uncredited)

Production Companies

• Trancas International Films

Distributors

• Galaxy International Releasing (1988) (USA) (theatrical)
• Anchor Bay Entertainment (1999) (USA) (DVD)
• Anchor Bay Entertainment (1998) (USA) (VHS)
• Anchor Bay Entertainment (2001) (USA) (DVD)
• Anchor Bay Entertainment (2005) (USA) (DVD)
• Anchor Bay Entertainment (2006) (USA) (DVD)
• Blue Diamond Video (19??) (Venezuela) (VHS) (re-release)
• CBS/Fox (1989) (USA) (video) (laserdisc)
• CBS/Fox (19??) (USA) (VHS)
• Digital Entertainment Ltd. (200?) (UK) (DVD)
• Filmpac Home Video (19??) (Australia) (VHS)
• Fox Video (1993) (USA) (VHS)
• Laser Paradise (200?) (Germany) (DVD)
• RCA/Columbia Pictures Home Video (1996) (USA) (VHS)
• RTL Television (????) (Germany) (TV)
• Video Film Express (2001) (Netherlands) (DVD)
• Vox (????) (Germany) (TV)

Special Effects

• Magical Media Industries (special effects makeup)

Other Companies

• Redman Movies and Stories  grip and lighting equipment
• Bedini Audio Special Environment (BASE)  sountrack processing
• Howard A. Anderson Company  main titles (as Howard A. Anderson Co.)
• Howard A. Anderson Company  opticals (as Howard A. Anderson Co.)
• Mario's Catering  catering (as Mario's Catering)
• Ryder Sound Services  sound

Also Known As:

Halloween 4 (Philippines: English title)

Runtime:

88 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Ultra Stereo

Certification:

Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:AA (Ontario) | Canada:PG (Manitoba) | Canada:R (Nova Scotia) | New Zealand:R13 | Finland:K-16 | Iceland:16 | Australia:M | Singapore:PG (cut) | France:-12 | Netherlands:16 | Norway:18 (video premiere) | Spain:18 | Sweden:15 | UK:18 | USA:R | West Germany:18

Filming Locations:

Midvale, Utah, USA

Company:

Trancas International Films

Trivia:

George P. Wilbur wore hockey pads under the jumpsuit to give Michael Myers a much more imposing figure. This is revealed in the documentary "Inside Halloween 5", where it is revealed that Don Shanks, who played Michael Myers in Halloween 5 (1989), was big enough that this was not required.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: The cameraman is reflected in the window when Dr. Loomis runs to the window to look for Michael.

Quotes:

Dr. Samuel Loomis: Six bodies, Sheriff, that's what I have seen! Between here and Ridgemont. An entire filling station in flames! I'm telling you Michael Myers is here, in this town! He's here to kill that little girl and anybody who gets in his way!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Faces of Death: The Make-Up Effects of 'All Souls Day' (2006) (V)

Soundtrack:

Halloween Theme

Yes, 'tis true! Michael is back! And he wants revenge for his death! Huh?

After the failure that was the 3rd Halloween sequel, the writers knew that was mainly due to the absence of Michael Myers. So what did they do? They invited Michael back in for the 4th sequel and back into the story of Halloween. Even though I did enjoy the 3rd sequel, I do agree that I missed Michael. He's my favorite boogeyman, so it'd be cool to see him return and do what he does best, slice and dice and scare the heck out of me. Well is this really scary? Not too much, but still it's a fun sequel to get into and watch in the dark. I like the story and how they are continuing into the Myer's past and how far Michael will go to destroy this blood line. Although I was disappointed to not have Laurie Strode in this one, it was interesting to see how her legacy lives on with her daughter and now she will have the struggle with Michael Myers.

Michael Myers has been in a coma for ten years, when his massacre was stopped by Dr. Samuel J. Loomis and Laurie Strode. Myers is being transferred from Ridgemont Federal Sanitarium to Smith's Grove Sanitarium. He awakens when he hears that Laurie Strode, his sister, is deceased, but her daughter, Jamie Lloyd is alive and well in Haddonfield. He kills the ambulance crew and escapes. Dr. Loomis races to Haddonfield in an attempt to bring Myers' killing spree to an end once and for all. In Haddonfield, his niece Jamie Lloyd, has been adopted by the Carruthers family. She has frequent nightmares about Michael, though she does not know who he is. On Halloween night, Jamie goes out trick-or-treating dressed as a clown with her teenage foster sister Rachel. Her uncle, Michael, follows them. Meanwhile, Loomis arrives in Haddonfield after an exhausting journey, and contacts the police department to inform them of Myers' escape. He and Haddonfield's new Sheriff Ben Meeker begin to search the town for Michael and Jamie. Myers has also blacked out the town's electricity by throwing a technician onto a electrical box and singlehandedly annihilated the entire police force. The girls barricade themselves in the Sheriff's house, while awaiting the arrival of the state police where Michael follows them and you'll have to see the movie to see the exciting conclusion.

So over all Halloween 4 is a good sequel, it's not the strongest in the series, but it's one of the better stories of the franchise. I do like Jamie Lloyd, she was an interesting addition to the story and the writers are making these movies very interesting. I'm glad they brought Dr. Loomis back in, it brings us back into the original Halloween and he'll never give up until Michael Myers is gone for good, which we know is not going to happen since we still have 4 more sequels after this one. But the 4th installment into the Halloween franchise is a good one so I do recommend that you see it if you get the chance.

6/10