Horror Movie Review: Butcher, Baker, Nightmare Maker (1981)

Butcher, Baker, Nightmare Maker (later re-released as Night Warning) is a 1981 American exploitation horror film directed by William Asher.

High school senior Billy Lynch lives with his protective aunt Cheryl, who has raised him since infancy after his parents died in a car accident. A gifted basketball player, Billy is offered a chance at a scholarship to attend the University of Denver. But Cheryl dismisses the idea, assuming that Billy will stay with her to “contribute”. At school, Billy is bullied by one of his basketball teammates, Eddie, who is jealous of Billy’s close camaraderie with their coach, Tom Landers. Meanwhile Julia, the school newspaper photographer, begins to take a romantic interest in Billy.

On Billy’s 17th birthday, Cheryl changes her mind about the scholarship. She asks Billy to stop by the television repair shop to have the shop technician, Phil Brody, come by to look at their set. That night, after Phil works on their television, Cheryl makes aggressive sexual advances toward him. When he refuses, Cheryl stabs him to death with a kitchen knife. Billy witnesses this through the window and Cheryl hysterically claims Phil tried to rape her.

A bigoted police detective, Joe Carlson, is assigned to the case. He is skeptical of Cheryl and the alleged rape attempt. After discovering that Phil Brody was gay, and that he was in a same-sex relationship with Billy’s coach, Tom, he formulates an insane theory. He assumes the murder to be the result of a love triangle between Phil, Tom, and Billy, and that Cheryl is covering for her nephew. Carlson begins questioning Billy, accusing him of being a “fag”, and harasses Tom, forcing him to resign from his job at the high school. Carlson also inquires from Julia about her and Billy’s sexual relationship. Meanwhile, Cheryl feeds Billy drugged milk, which causes him to perform poorly at his scholarship tryout. Sergeant Cook, who has been casing Cheryl’s home, believes Billy to be innocent, and is suspicious of Cheryl.

What is wrong with Aunt Cheryl and will she succeed in keeping Billy with her forever?

To start off with I want to address the apparent controversy about this film. I noticed that it’s classified as an exploitation film and banned in several countries. I understand it was a different time but this movie is no more extreme than any regular slasher. In fact I would say it’s fairly tame. Incest is mentioned in relation to the movie but I didn’t get that interpretation at all. In my opinion Cheryl comes across as the typical mother that believes her son can do no better, only she obviously takes that to extremes. If she wanted to have sexual relations with Billy, she had ample opportunity and didn’t give any indication that was her desire.

Anyway, moving on from that. Tyrrel is fantastic as Cheryl. She plays the dual role of being a meek, conniving spinster and a dishevelled murderous loon. She goes absolutely full psychopath, willing to do anything to keep Billy even if she has to kill him herself.

Acting is solid all round, concept is executed well and the gore, although great, could have been more plentiful.

There are 2 characters that stand out from the pack for different reasons, which are Margie and Detective Carlson. Both morons in their own right. Margie has to be either the dumbest or politest women I’ve ever seen. After seeing Cheryl jump out like she’s been dragged through a damp hedge and not immediately getting her help for her breakdown, she then, skulks around in the house and bushes for a ridiculous 10 minutes. I have no words. I think she wanted to die to stick it to Frank for not picking her up in the rain.

As for Carlson. I cannot lie and say he didn’t make me laugh. Purely for the absolute absurdity. His character is so important for us to see how far we’ve come.

Overall, if you’re nostalgic for A New Hope and want to watch an imitation Luke Skywalker play basketball and shoot a cop then this is the film for you. In seriousness, Butcher, Baker, Nightmare Maker is one hell of a ride and not one I’ll soon forget.