Today is the anniversary of one of the greatest days in American history – Independence Day. Despite being one of the nation’s biggest holidays and one of the biggest party celebrations of the year, there really isn’t a lot of horror films that take place on July 4th. This was a stretch, but I was able to compile enough titles to make a 4th of July edition of Useless Horror Movie Trivia. Read on, America! (fuck yea)
Frogs (1972) – Many of the 500 Florida frogs and 100 giant South American toads purchased for use in the film escaped during production.
Jaws (1975) – Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, was used as Amity Island primarily because even 12 miles out to sea, the sandy bottom was only 30 feet down, allowing the mechanical shark to function. Residents were paid $64 to scream and run across the beach as extras.
The Return of The Living Dead (1985) – The eye-test poster (seen most clearly after Frank and Freddy run into Burt’s office after hearing the first re-animated cadaver) in Burt’s office actually reads “Burt is a slave driver and a cheap son of a bitch who’s going bald too haha” if you put the letters together (pause the Blu-ray at around 17:29 into the movie for a clear shot).
Uncle Sam (1996) – The ending is a reference to the ending of Lucio Fulci’s City of the Living Dead. The Lucio Fulci dedication before the end credits confirms this.
Cape Fear (1991) – Robert De Niro paid a dentist $5,000 to make his teeth look suitably bad for the role of Max Cady. After filming, he paid $20,000 to have them fixed.
I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997) – Lois Duncan has stated openly that she hates the movie, because the filmmakers turned her book into a slasher film. She especially detested it in the wake of her 18-year-old daughter’s murder in 1989.
I Still Know What You Did Last Summer (1998) – The fate of Nancy (Jennifer Esposito) and Karla (Brandy Norwood), in the scene where they retrieve the first aid kit, initially was reversed with Karla dying and Nancy surviving.
I’ll Always Know What You Did Last Summer (2006) – The movie was announced in 2000, and was originally meant to star Jennifer Love Hewitt, Brandy Norwood and Freddie Prinze Jr. again. However, the movie was left alone for a while and the original script, which involved Jennifer, Brandy and Freddie, was scrapped and a whole new script was written. Despite the script being scrapped, Hewitt was rumored to have a cameo appearance in the new movie, but never made it.
Jersey Shore Shark Attack (2012) – Although this film takes place in New Jersey, the bulk of the movie was shot in Redondo Beach, California.
I.B.S. (2013) – Andrew Hall was hurt on set during the chainsaw sex scene when James Costa insisted on actually hitting him in the ass with the chainsaw during every take.
