Prepare for a chilling tale of a cursed movie production that will leave you questioning the supernatural.
Sandy King, a renowned Hollywood producer, shares her unforgettable experience in the Bay Area. It was an autumn filled with mystery and intrigue, a far cry from the idyllic setting one might imagine. King, recently married to the legendary filmmaker John Carpenter, found herself at the center of a controversial project that would forever be linked to the Bay Area's haunted history.
Carpenter, known for his iconic horror films like "Halloween" and "They Live," had his sights set on a monster movie, a reimagining of "The Creature From the Black Lagoon." However, fate intervened, and a different script landed in his lap - "Village of the Damned." This strange science-fiction tale about evil alien children was based on a 1960 film and a 1957 novel, and it would become the couple's next project, but not without a catch.
The film's production was granted on one condition: it had to be filmed around their Bay Area home. And so, the two-month shoot began, a blend of idyllic moments and eerie occurrences. King described the rhythm of life on set, from driving her godson to school to hosting dinner parties with the cast, including steamed salmon and beef bourguignon. But beneath this peaceful facade, something sinister was brewing.
"Now, the side that got dicey was when some locals decided to shake us down..." King recalls, a chilling reminder of the dark turn their peaceful North Bay locale would take. It started with mysterious vandalism, escalating to a small blaze at the Carpenter home, likely caused by smoldering embers. Despite suspicions of arson, authorities never determined a cause, leaving a sense of unease hanging in the air.
As the production continued, the tension grew. Locals, unhappy with the Hollywood bigwigs exploiting their small town's image, resorted to extreme measures. From stealing props to hurling racial epithets and even pouring salsa down windows, their actions were a bizarre form of protest. King and the "Village of the Damned" team endured $5,000 worth of vandalism, a constant reminder of the curse that seemed to follow the production.
But what was it about this film that sparked such a reaction? "Village of the Damned" opens with a peaceful small town, only to be disrupted by a shadowy force that causes everyone, even the cows, to fall unconscious. Months later, the women discover they are inexplicably pregnant, with the date of conception tracing back to the blackout. A local doctor, priest, and research scientist take it upon themselves to uncover the mystery, leading to the birth of the evil alien children.
The original "Village of the Damned" faced censorship rules, preventing any discussion of pregnancy or abortion. Carpenter aimed to bring the story up to modern times, shifting the perspective to the expectant mothers and their fear and lack of control. "John's a feminist at heart," King said, adding, "It made for a more realistic story."
Despite Carpenter's vision, the locals remained unmoved. They saw the film as an intrusion, a disruption to their quiet lives. "Like the cinematic small towners in 'Village of the Damned' who got fed up... some townspeople may have felt they had lost control," a local columnist wrote.
Carpenter, referring to the project as "an assignment," felt comfortable taking it on. With a budget of $20 million, he set out to create a film worth the risk. The crew filmed at various locations, including Nicasio Elementary School, the historic Druid's Hall, and Tomales Presbyterian Church. They even reused locations from Carpenter's previous film, "The Fog."
The film's cast and crew included hundreds of locals, including the entire student body of Nicasio Elementary School. Even the late Marin County Sheriff's Office Sgt. Skip Richardson made a cameo as a police officer whose mind was taken over by the children. It was a true community effort, but one that would be marred by tragedy.
As the film neared release, Universal pushed for an earlier date, cutting several scenes without Carpenter's blessing. The actors felt the film was unrecognizable from its original vision. "I was shocked... because a third of the movie was gone," actress Karen Kahn said.
"Village of the Damned" opened on April 28, 1995, reaching the No. 5 slot at the box office. But its release was met with mixed reviews, with critics calling it "silly" and "uninspired." However, the film's point of view on parenthood and its eerie atmosphere garnered praise.
Unfortunately, the film's release coincided with the tragic Oklahoma City bombing, which killed 168 people, including 19 children. King recalls calling the studio, saying, "We can't release this." But the film was released anyway, and critics accused the filmmakers of insensitivity.
The tragedy continued when, nearly a month after the film's release, a horseback riding accident paralyzed actor Christopher Reeve, who had bought the horse while filming. Later that year, King received devastating news - the Mount Vision Fire had destroyed her and Carpenter's home in Point Reyes National Seashore, along with their wedding photos and Carpenter's first movie camera.
Despite the losses, King remains fond of the Bay Area. "I'm afraid I would cry... I still have visions of rebuilding up there," she said. The experience, though cursed, holds a special place in her heart, a reminder that sometimes, the scariest stories are the ones that hit close to home.
"Everybody is afraid of something... Maybe we're all afraid of the overwhelming influence we have on our children," King reflected. And perhaps that's the true horror of "Village of the Damned" - the fear of the unknown, lurking in the shadows of a seemingly peaceful small town.
