10 Things You May Not Know About The Original ‘Halloween’ Movie

By Michele Yeo. 25 Oct 2018 3:23 PM

It’s been four decades since Michael Myers first crept into theatres and slashed his way into our collective nightmares. The movie has seen several sequels over the years, most recently with the 11th instalment, which slew the box office its opening weekend. So to celebrate its 40th anniversary, we’ve rounded up 10 things you may not know about the original.

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Roger Ebert Gave 'Halloween' A Thumbs Up

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John Carpenter Was Paid Just $10K For The Movie

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'Halloween' Wasn't The Original Title
Compass International Pictures
While "Halloween" is a simplistic, appropriate title for a scary movie, it wasn't director John Carpenter's first choice. The filmmaker originally wanted to call the movie "The Babysitter Murders" but a producer suggested naming it after a specific holiday. Halloween was the right choice as we couldn't see a horror franchise being built around Easter.
It Was Jamie Lee Curtis' First Movie
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"Halloween" was Jamie Lee Curtis' big screen debut and she was so nervous that when director John Carpenter called her at home after the first day of filming, she assumed she was being fired. He was actually calling to tell her she did a great job on Day 1
Dennis Quaid Was Nearly Cast
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The actor was dating (and later married) P.J. Soles, who played babysitter Lynda van der Klok in the movie. Dennis was tapped to play her boyfriend on screen, too. However a scheduling conflict prevented him from taking the part.
Real Housewife of Halloween
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Reality TV may have been a far-off concept in 1978 but there was a budding reality star in the cast. "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" cast member (and former child actor) Kyle Richards played Lindsey, one of the young girls Jamie Lee Curtis' character babysits. Kyle said, after seeing the finished movie, she was so scared she had to sleep with her mom.
"Halloween"'s 'Happy Days' Connection
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In the original "Halloween" Michael Myers' real face is only seen for a fleeting glimpse. Stuntman Nick Castle played Michael for the majority of the film but it was actor Tony Moran (the brother of actress Erin Moran, who played Joanie Cunningham on "Happy Days"), who played Michael for the blink-and-you-miss-it face reveal.
Michael Myers Is William Shatner

Well, sort of. The mask Michael Myers dons is easily one of the most iconic and recognizable costume pieces in cinema but its origin may surprise you. The production designer picked up two masks that could serve as the one Michael Myers wears. One was a creepy clown, the other a mask of Captain Kirk from "Star Trek". The crew spray-painted the Captain Kirk mask white, stretched out the eye holes, and the rest is history.
Roger Ebert Gave 'Halloween' A Thumbs Up
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The first round of reviews were not kind to "Halloween" and the movie seemed poised to bomb, but Roger Ebert was one of the first critics to praise the fright fest, giving it a rare four stars.
John Carpenter Was Paid Just $10K For The Movie
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"Halloween" had a shoestring budget of just $300,000, with writer/director John Carpenter being paid just $10,000 for his work. However he got complete creative control, final cut, and a back end cut of the profits.
It Slew The Box Office
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Speaking of profits, Halloween earned a lot of them. The movie grossed nearly $50 million domestically, which is the 2018 equivalent $180 million. At the time, it was the most successful indie release of all time.
There Were No Plans For Sequels
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Even though the movie spawned multiple sequels in the 40 years since its release, that wasn't always the plan. In fact, John Carpenter didn't even want a sequel. He's since admitted he was wrong.

10 Things You May Not Know About The Original ‘Halloween’ Movie

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