The Dorm That Dripped Blood

Lore & Background

The film was inspired by Friday the 13th and co-written by Carpenter and Giachino while film students at UCLA. Originally titled The Third Night, then Death Dorm, it was shot at UCLA from December 1981 to January 1982 using university equipment on 16 mm film. Casting was done by the directors without a casting director, and the credited 'Wesley Lou David' is an amalgam of the directors' middle names (Stephen Carpenter's middle name is Wesley, Jeffrey Obrow's middle name is Louis) and the producer's first name (David). The film marked Daphne Zuniga's feature debut.

Reader's Guide

The Dorm That Dripped Blood was originally released in the USA and UK under the title Pranks in 1982. After distributors found the title non-conducive to box-office sales, it was retitled and re-released in 1983. In the UK, it faced censorship due to graphic violence and was included on the BBFC's 'video nasty' list, though later removed. Critical commentary from genre scholars has heralded the film for its nihilistic conclusion, which subverted the final girl trope. The film's special effects were designed by Matthew W. Mungle, later a multi-Academy Award nominee. Its significance lies in its challenge to slasher conventions and its place in the video nasty controversy.

Did You Know?

• The film was shot primarily on the UCLA campus over Christmas vacation in December 1981 and January 1982.
• The film's special effects were designed by Matthew W. Mungle, who later became a multi-Academy Award nominee.
• The film was originally released as Pranks in 1982, then retitled The Dorm That Dripped Blood in 1983.