@msmithstud Actually, he and Brent Maddock wrote Tremors 1-4 and Short Circuit 1 & 2, not direct it. Ron Underwood directed the first Tremors and Wilson and Maddock went to direct the sequels, each one would switch between movies. John Badham directed Short Circuit and Kenneth Johnson directed Short Circuit 2.
absolutely brilliant!!!!! - it would be great if a clearer telecine transfer of this could be obtained, its so well done it deserves the time put into restoring it....again..its brilliant!!
I, too, saw this on HBO back in the early 80s, and was more amused than scared. It was so mind-blowing, I actually thought, "That's how I want to go." Hey, the tape "recorded" the man's naked body, and didn't leave a single drop of blood. We know the tape was Irish, with a name like W.H. O'Brien. I only hope it was female.
Gosh... if he willingly applied to this place, then there's not much to do here. But if he never did and ended up getting a letter saying he was hired? That was probably a sign...
Woah, I saw this for the first time back around 81 when I was 10 and it kind of reminded me of the Blob but with killer filmstrips. The ending was so unexpected that it left me with a feeling of dread and had resonated with me for a long time after. It was cool to see it again all these years later =).
I've always remembered this short fiim. There's a movie being made (In TIME) as we speak that's based on a short take. Although there's no mention of it as a remake I recall a movie about a futuristic immortal society that keeps you immortal so long as your bank account never falls to zero. If you can find the title please let me know.
HOLY JEEZ!! I found it! I found it! I'm 38 and have not seen this since I was 8 years old when my parents first got cable TV. I talked about it all the time when I was a kid and is partly responsible why I've been a filmmaker for the last 20 years. I remember sitting in front of the TV in between movies hoping I would see it again. 30 years later I did. I smell remake. Frame for frame.
Like many others on here, I remember this from when I was 4 or 5 years old. I remember being terrified by it as a little kid. I thought it was lost to the ages. I love YouTube.
OMG I remember this from when I was little and it scared the crap out of me! I've been thinking about it for years wondering what the heck it was called or where I saw it. I finally found it!!! :D
i cant believe you got this posted. this is is a hidden gem nobody but a select few know about. this is crazy. youtube is a time machine. this freaked me out as a kid
Wow.. I saw this on nickelodeon as a kid and was truly freaked out. Just now went back and searched for it.. And got it on the first try. I love the Internet !
@TRoss240 "Everyone who cares either died ten years ago"
The only people who may not care are those who either DON'T or HAS NEVER work in the video and film production business, such as people named TRoss240.
Tape is still used in some cases and most WORKING professionals in the biz today still know what 2" Quad is, especially those that have to deal with tape archives.
And, yes the pros, even today, still DO care about the distinction between film and tape.
You're right, it did take me that long to actually look at my Youtube inbox. Guess I'm just not that popular, always needing to respond the same day. Whelp, I'm off. I'll look forward to your comment back, probably later tonight or tomorrow. Which I won't see for a few weeks.
You're replying to an old thread that's not going anywhere.
If it's been a while since the thread was active, why bring it back up for no good reason?
Let's not forget: this exchange started when you decided to insult me rather than just talk about the topic.
What did I ever do to you to deserve that?
However, if it will be weeks until you read this, THEN DON'T BOTHER REPLYING. I will have long forgotten about this ... that is unless you decide to bring it back up again.
Plus I would lke to see someone outsmart the Film Reels (like the guy could have done some stuff to outsmart them like leave the the door open & hide somewhere else while the Film Reels were looking for him & then Escape) or he could have Stopped the Film Wheel from spinning before it could get off the Reel instead of just staring at it like an Idiot.
@thunderdragonwk several people have commented about a sequel to this, but one has yet to surface. Does anyone remember what happended in the sequel?(if there is one).
Also I would like to see what had happened to the rest of the people at the TV Station that the Guy went to (SInce the place is empty & nobody was around, if you know what i mean.)
I think the Film Reels had already killed Dr. H. O'Brian since that was his clothes on the chair near the typewritter while he was typing on it had stopped in middle on a saying something important or something & since the guy saw Dr. H O' Brian's name near the door while he was standing on the stairs. Plus the Film Reels had signed Dr. H O' Brian's name on the letter before the movie ended & also on the it had next victim's name on it & where he lives (If you noticed it)
I think when someone does a Remake Feature Film of this Old HBO Short they should make it more Scarier (Since this is kinda almost like a Horror Movie)
Wow... I'm in my 30's now and for some reason I remember this film scaring the bejezus out of me as a child. I think it was on HBO. I didn't think I'd find mention of it on the internet, nevermind the video being on youtube. Never underestimate the power of the internet!
wasnt there another one? Cuz I remember a Limo driver going in first and he never came out and the main character went in to look for him and the Reel went after him. Am I wrong about this?
@msmithstud Thanks bro. I'm probably wrong. Its just I remember the driver going in first and he disappeared and then the passenger went in and thats when the story begins. I was a kid I probably got it mixed up
Plus the words The End should be like this "The End?" since it wrote another letter for it's next Victim at the ending of the Film. Plus I hope someone finds the Sequel to this film....Cause I would to see what happens to next Victim. if you know what I mean.
@thunderdragonwk I think it would make a great feature-length film. I think it would be hilarious. Plus, like a reviewer stated earlier, John Goodwin's character may not be dead, but on the film itself. This movie would be a riot! Could maybe have the cast from the original Tremors? Suggestions?
if it man had poured some type of Flamable chemical on it before he would've had the chance to beat it & also grabbed a Lighter or something. plus also could've used the Lighter as a last ditch Effort to Burn it before it get another Victim (like in the Ending since it was writing another letter to another Victim)
Ya know, everyone seems to be under the impression that the film eats the interviewee...I always thought that it recorded him onto itself upon his mummification, thus making him a star in whatever was on it.
OMG...I remember seeing this come on HBO when i was somewhere between 8-10...it freaked me out...i loved it. It was a minor mission tofind this here on youtube..thanks.
Was there any films shown on HBO as I remember made by George Lucas before THX 1138? I only can remember there was some shown on there unless I'm wrong
OMG - I was the video tape librarian at at the local PBS station for years and for our Christmas reel one year we began taping a very similar sketch about my tapes attacking me. Unfortunately our transmitter blew up on us and we had to scrap the sketch and produce an emergency pledge drive instead. I love this!
the guy in this had a small part in tremors 1 and is now a make-up artist. He's worked on several movies and tv shows. CSI is probably his best know work.
do you or do you know if anyone has the video where the animator is creating a cartoon of a pink alien pacing then running to some cool synthesizer music. it was on hbo shorts also about 1980
This is an amazing find. I couldn't remember the title for the life of me and finally found it a google search. This was a big influence on my indie film-making career (hobby really). I made a highly influenced short in '85 called the Lurking, check it out: its on my you tube site, please do a search, I can't seem to post it here.
This film was one the early works by S.S. Wilson, who went on to be a co-writer of several Hollywood movies, including "Short Circuit" and "Batteries Not Included." He was also a writer and sometimes director of the movies and TV version of "Tremors."
Holy schnikeys! This is STILL scary! This short film is the stuff of nightmares. I'm glad I'm not the only one who freaked out watching it as a kid. Watching it now there are some real hair-raising moments (the tape monster coming through the door for instance).
WOW thanks for posting this. I remember this as a kid and it was so disturbing it still haunts me. This was one of many "Shorts" between full-feature films on Showtime. I too am looking for the one about the man who wanted to become a tree. Another good one was about a planet where it rains everyday of the year except for one day. A class of kids was the scene and one kid got locked up and he missed the ONE day. Afterwards they looked at and treated him differently. It was pretty sad.
Thank you so much for posting this. I had a very early memory of this nightmare (which turned into very real nightmares), but I couldn't figure out if this actually existed, or my mind just invented it.
I never saw this originally, it was after my time. It CERTAINLY would have scared me very much, had I seen it as a child, and even now the whole premise and mood are unsettling. That's what I like about it. I like the cold, clinical opening as well because it sets you up expecting something else. I'd love to see more films like this
that was freakin tight!! i remember that when i was a kid I thought the guy was bad or sum'n thats why the tape ate him but the tape was like the blob it didnt care
For some reason I remember this being answering machine tape. Anyway, my favorite short that always tripped me the fuck out was the one about the wrong number where the maid kills a woman and her supposed lover on order from the husband. I was looking for that one when I came across this one.
I used to watch that when I was a kid back in Chadbourn. It scared me half to death. Now that I looked at it, it doesn't seem to scare me all that much.
Yeah, I remember this too. It used to scare me as well, but I watched it every time it came on!! LOL!! Good to see some of this classic stuff on youtube.
@Teagle3372 It used to scare the hell out of me as well. I remember having a nightmare that the tape monster was coming for me! For some reason I would watch it every time it came on though.
he had the opportunity to escape down the stairs but chose to stare at the tape as it was coming out of the office. The funniest thing is when he calls the police.
Well, I felt many things watching this. First I realized I will have neat new nightmares to keep me company in my sleep from now on! And yet I felt sorry for the man eating film when the magnet was hurting it..and I was still hopeful for the man to get outta there...but then went into feeling fear as it covered the guy and ate him!
I have been looking for this for DECADES! Thank you for posting it! Every few years I would go searching for any information I could find about it and I always came up completely dry. Now I get to watch it again! FABULOUS!
I was looking for info on this off and on myself. I always thought it was called "The Tape". From what my mom tells me, I was 2 when I first saw this (which would be about 1979 or 1980). I had just seen Prophecy and wasn't phased by it. Then this came on and apparently scared the crap out of me! So, for childhood fears, that's killer reel to reel tape: 1, giant mutant bears: 0. I managed to catch the end of it years later but it didn't have the same effect
Oh man, I'm so glad I found this. It must've been 25 years since I saw this on HBO. It freaked me out as a kid too. Even rewatching it now brings back some scary memories.
Also has nightmares as a child after watching this on HBO. I have thought about it on and off thru the years. Great to finally see it preserved. Thanks! :)
I remember watching this as a child. I have been thinking about this film and where or what it was for almost 25 years. It scared the crap out of me as a kid.
@Jimthere3 ME TOO!!!! I had no idea what to look for to find it, but here it is. I thought it was a production company promo that came on before a movie. this is so odd. I haven't seen it since I was about 3, and it terrified me back then. I didn't ever expect to see it again. wow
The other ones I remember were "Sometimes Joe" and one where a guy goes to a florist and searches out the perfect rare flower and then sprinkles salt on it and eats it. Bill Murray played the florist, but I can't seem to find any info on this one.
It's so nice to see this on YouTube that I wish I could say I'd rediscovered it here... but I caught it on the Tremors 4 DVD. Love that Harryhausen shout-out at 4:52 :)
A more trivial question, but does anyone recognize the castle/mansion where KLRN TV keeps its offices? I'd guess it's somewhere near UCLA since Wilson was in film school there, but I'm curious what the actual name of it is. Does it still exist?
I very, VERY rarely ever say this but... OMFG!! I have not seen this since I was seven years old!! It used to scare the crap outta me as a kid, but I LOVED IT! Thank you for posting this film!!
Does anyone remember the one about a mailman who wanted t become a tree?
@CaptainBugg I can't believe I found this. I love this short, but i only remember the man getting eaten and the scissors, because i was too young to understand all that grown up dialogue, and those were the only "cool" parts. lol
this film is quite brilliant. S.S. Wilson is a great filmmaker.
I'm surprised no has mentioned that S.S. Wilson, and one of the tape pullers for this film, Brent Maddock would eventually become screenwriting partners. They went to write both of the Short Circuit films, and all Tremors and take turns at directing some of them.
I wish I could see more of Wilson's and Maddock's work before making features. They're very creative and brilliant.
I remember watching this back when I was in the 2nd grade back in California in 1983. All we had was movie projectors, it wasn't till 1989 we had Tvs in schools. Thanks for posting this, I have been looking for this short forever.
I seem to remember there was a sequel to this that involved the next victim. It may be memory fuzzing me but I can't shake that there was a second one.
Oh man this was nightmare fuel when I saw this as a kid. And it was even more scary because I thought the guy looked like my dad! I remember actually being afraid of the VCR tapes for a while after that, HAHA!
Thanks for posting a little nightmare fuel from my childhood!
Creepy, wasn't it? I got freaked out watching this long ago on HBO. When I watched it again I was also fascinated. This must've taken forever to make and John Goodwin was a good sport. Have you seen Tremors? He has a small roll in that one too!
OMFG!!!! I HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR THIS FILM FOR AGES!!!
whew.. sorry for the ALL caps - but seriously - I remember seeing this as a kid and it freaked me out then and it stuck with me all these years. I remember digging up and re-discovering the title of this little long-forgotten gem some years ago, but it was unavailable.
Thank you for putting this up and sharing with us! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
THANKS A BUNCH for posting this!! I haven't seen it in over 20 years!
Would you or anyone else remember other little "shorts" like this one? There was a time when local tv stations went off the air at around midnight or so, but when they began to expand their late night schedule beginning in the '70s, they would show shorts like these as "filler" between programs. I can remember waking up in the middle of the night and seeing some odd but memorable short films.
Man, i remember seeing this on both HBO and TMC in between movies, and it used to scare the life out of me, i'm putting this on my favs so i can scare my son with it!! ha ha!!
I am simultaneously freaked out and excited to have found this video!! The last time I saw this was when I was like 3 or 4 years old. I too was freaked out by this video as a child. I would cry every time I heard the music start to play.
The other time HBO freaked me out was the episode of "Assignment America" where they had people talk about their alien abduction experiences and draw pictures of the aliens.
Anyone remember the short about the female scientist with a time transporter device that accidentally pulls out a neanderthal boy from the past? IShe bonds with the scared child, and when the other scientists decide to send him back, she jumps in after him.
There was also another short about a school on Venus with children standing out in the rain. LOL One of my HS classmates remembered that one.
I'VE BEEN LOOKING ALL OVER THE NET FOR THIS GEM!!!! I remember seeing this as a young boy back in 1983 or 84 on HBO and being both scared and amused by the fact that this guy got completley consumed by a pile of film.
Nice! I just started thinking about this today and wondered if I would ever find it again. After like 6 hours I finally picked the right keywords to search and that led me to the "HBO Short Takes" on wikipedia.... Then I checked here... This really brought me back, Thanks!!
Also, notice in the end credits where it says, "Rerecording - Ben Burtt Jr."? Ben Burtt would later become the famous sound designer who designed all the sounds for the STAR WARS universe, the Indiana Jones movies, and most recently, Wall-E.
Does any one remember the hbo short of the naked model being sketched in a studio and the 10 year old boy voyager that was peeping in on the session? I'll always remember it, it was one of the first times I saw a naked bod before. This was like 1982.
I do remember that! The kid was spying, and when the instructor caught him, he made him sketch the woman. That was one of the many short films HBO used to show in between full length films back in the 80's. I also remember another short about a woman scientist who brought back a young cave boy from prehistoric times to a modern day lab. She then sent herself back in time with him rather than leave him alone.
anyone remember one with two jester looking creatures fighting?? all I remember is at one point they end up in wheel-chairs and one has a gun pointed at the other, it was really weird, kinda morbid from what I remember
I was a bout 3 or 4 when I use to watchthis on HBO. I tried telling my wife about this a couple of weeks ago and she didn't believe me.
There is another one abot a man who accidentally kills his wife and puts her body in the funeral home he works at. At the end, he is looking at her and her hand jumps out to grab him. Has anyone seen this HBO Short Take here on YouTube!
Been looking for this for years! Thank you!
Bel1yDancer 5 days ago
@hardware wars - didn't you also do "closet cases of the nerd kind"?
mgabrysSF 1 month ago in playlist More videos from HardwareWars
I've finally found it! This used to scare the shit out of me as a kid! I feel like I'm having an acid flash back!!!! Thanks for posting this!!!
fleshtrashheat 1 month ago in playlist HBO SHORT TAKES 2
i was recently on SS Wilson's facebook page, and there are behind the scenes photos of his work on RECORDED LIVE
msmithstud 1 month ago
Finally, I have a name for the movie that scared me when I was a kid.
aeonsomnia 1 month ago
Anyone know the Director? id he go on to make features?
deepeemark 1 month ago
@deepeemark S.S Wilson. He also directed Tremors and Short Circuit
msmithstud 1 month ago
@msmithstud . Thanks. That makes good sense! :)
deepeemark 1 month ago
@msmithstud Actually, he and Brent Maddock wrote Tremors 1-4 and Short Circuit 1 & 2, not direct it. Ron Underwood directed the first Tremors and Wilson and Maddock went to direct the sequels, each one would switch between movies. John Badham directed Short Circuit and Kenneth Johnson directed Short Circuit 2.
AuteurMotionPictures 2 weeks ago
absolutely brilliant!!!!! - it would be great if a clearer telecine transfer of this could be obtained, its so well done it deserves the time put into restoring it....again..its brilliant!!
austvarchive 1 month ago
I, too, saw this on HBO back in the early 80s, and was more amused than scared. It was so mind-blowing, I actually thought, "That's how I want to go." Hey, the tape "recorded" the man's naked body, and didn't leave a single drop of blood. We know the tape was Irish, with a name like W.H. O'Brien. I only hope it was female.
OscarBravoUSA 2 months ago
this is probably literally the most forgotten movie monster and movie of all time.
shadsf342 2 months ago
Gosh... if he willingly applied to this place, then there's not much to do here. But if he never did and ended up getting a letter saying he was hired? That was probably a sign...
videostarlet 2 months ago
Woah, I saw this for the first time back around 81 when I was 10 and it kind of reminded me of the Blob but with killer filmstrips. The ending was so unexpected that it left me with a feeling of dread and had resonated with me for a long time after. It was cool to see it again all these years later =).
ethansup208 2 months ago
@ethansup208 Doh, didn't realize I posted under my son's acct, oh well.
ethansup208 2 months ago
@ethansup208 Me too! HBO was so cool back in the old days!
bodger1223 2 months ago
...I watched this all the time in like '79 or '80...freaked me out....
BlackHole1217 3 months ago
haha this used to give me the creeps when I was kid. I remember hating how the "reel" was so relentless and merciless.
Manthing32 3 months ago
I can't imagine even a kid finding this scary. It's much too funny.
That opening letter alone is good for a laugh on second viewing.
servomoore 4 months ago
I have the exact same childhood memories of this as all the other people who posted here. Uncanny.
PaddyButton 4 months ago
I've always remembered this short fiim. There's a movie being made (In TIME) as we speak that's based on a short take. Although there's no mention of it as a remake I recall a movie about a futuristic immortal society that keeps you immortal so long as your bank account never falls to zero. If you can find the title please let me know.
redsiren100 4 months ago
HOLY JEEZ!! I found it! I found it! I'm 38 and have not seen this since I was 8 years old when my parents first got cable TV. I talked about it all the time when I was a kid and is partly responsible why I've been a filmmaker for the last 20 years. I remember sitting in front of the TV in between movies hoping I would see it again. 30 years later I did. I smell remake. Frame for frame.
johnpickle 4 months ago 2
@johnpickle Does this mean we can hope to see you remake this? That would be pretty awesome to see this classic short updated.
MagusPSU 1 month ago
Hey Johnny...was that the White Buick we took to Vegas in '73, where you needed a pliers to turn on the lights? BL
07avalonxls 4 months ago
@07avalonxls you know John Goodwin?
msmithstud 4 months ago
@msmithstud
Yes. Haven't seen him in a long time.
07avalonxls 4 months ago
@07avalonxls did you two ever talk about this short? If so what did he have to say?
msmithstud 4 months ago
@msmithstud
No. Didn't know it existed. Lost contact before it was made. Super nice guy!
07avalonxls 4 months ago
Like many others on here, I remember this from when I was 4 or 5 years old. I remember being terrified by it as a little kid. I thought it was lost to the ages. I love YouTube.
SuperSalestrom 4 months ago
I'm so glad you posted this!! I almost thought I imagined it. What the hell was that doing on HBO Shorts for Kids?!!
That celluloid monster gave me nightmares for months!!
lateralrectus53 5 months ago
this is literally probably the most forgotten movie monster and movie of all time
shadsf342 5 months ago
i dont think its a good idea to listen to "slipknit - me inside" while watching this ....
BracedPoleCat 5 months ago
OMG I remember this from when I was little and it scared the crap out of me! I've been thinking about it for years wondering what the heck it was called or where I saw it. I finally found it!!! :D
jesilou78 5 months ago
this thing needs to get Obama. But then that would mean Biden would be President. Never mind
msmithstud 5 months ago
Awesome. Interesting. Devoured by film. Classic.
Chuloloc 5 months ago
How cool would it be to see this remade as another student project?
MagusPSU 5 months ago
GAAAAAHHHHHHH!!! I finally found the film that scarred me for life at the tender age of 6!!!!!
Emgee78 5 months ago
Al i have say about this video is what the hell
PinkTeardropos 6 months ago
Holy shit! This film popped in my head and it's here! Still creepy!
foyboy33 7 months ago
i cant believe you got this posted. this is is a hidden gem nobody but a select few know about. this is crazy. youtube is a time machine. this freaked me out as a kid
SADMANMUSIC35 7 months ago
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SADMANMUSIC35 7 months ago
...I mean Watcher3223(sorry)
TimeTravelinc 8 months ago
TRoss240 & Watcher2332 Will you two stop arguing and watch the famous/infamous B-movie? Tell ya one thing,this film is so bad it's good.
TimeTravelinc 8 months ago
I used to see this on ONTV back in the late 70's...havent seen it since..good post!
PoserExposer 8 months ago
I remember watching this on HBO when I was very young. Freaked me out every time I saw it!
jupitercrash07 9 months ago
HA! Now that was awesome. It kinda reminds of some early Sam Raimi work.
Beepers100 9 months ago
OMG, totally remember seeing this on HBO when I was like five. It scared me then and it scares me now, lol. Thanks for posting this!
rumsonale23 9 months ago
Wow.. I saw this on nickelodeon as a kid and was truly freaked out. Just now went back and searched for it.. And got it on the first try. I love the Internet !
BlackfootFerret 9 months ago
I was born in 1986 and can appreciate this.
AmusingByNature 10 months ago
I remember this from HBO and I'm happy to finally get to see it again
Gordoli73 10 months ago
I haven't seen this in years!! It scared me so bad when I was little...and now I have a career in film...HA!
mgs617 11 months ago
i totally remember this and it was very creepy! lol
Ms4NIK8R 1 year ago
Just a little correction of the title and the people commenting.
The thing that consumes that guy isn't film. It's tape. There is a difference.
Specifically, that's 2" Quad, which is an old and obsolete open reel videotape format.
Watcher3223 1 year ago
@Watcher3223 Everyone who cares either died ten years ago, or is named Watcher3223.
TRoss240 11 months ago
@TRoss240 "Everyone who cares either died ten years ago"
The only people who may not care are those who either DON'T or HAS NEVER work in the video and film production business, such as people named TRoss240.
Tape is still used in some cases and most WORKING professionals in the biz today still know what 2" Quad is, especially those that have to deal with tape archives.
And, yes the pros, even today, still DO care about the distinction between film and tape.
Watcher3223 11 months ago
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TRoss240 9 months ago
Comment removed
TRoss240 9 months ago
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TRoss240 9 months ago
@Watcher3223 Still
Don't
Care.
TRoss240 9 months ago
@TRoss240
You certainly care enough to respond ONE MONTH LATER.
Watcher3223 9 months ago
You're right, it did take me that long to actually look at my Youtube inbox. Guess I'm just not that popular, always needing to respond the same day. Whelp, I'm off. I'll look forward to your comment back, probably later tonight or tomorrow. Which I won't see for a few weeks.
TRoss240 9 months ago
@TRoss240
You're replying to an old thread that's not going anywhere.
If it's been a while since the thread was active, why bring it back up for no good reason?
Let's not forget: this exchange started when you decided to insult me rather than just talk about the topic.
What did I ever do to you to deserve that?
However, if it will be weeks until you read this, THEN DON'T BOTHER REPLYING. I will have long forgotten about this ... that is unless you decide to bring it back up again.
Watcher3223 9 months ago
Plus I would lke to see someone outsmart the Film Reels (like the guy could have done some stuff to outsmart them like leave the the door open & hide somewhere else while the Film Reels were looking for him & then Escape) or he could have Stopped the Film Wheel from spinning before it could get off the Reel instead of just staring at it like an Idiot.
thunderdragonwk 1 year ago
Anybody got any ideas of what was the name of the Sequel to this movie? Cause I would like to see the Sequel.
thunderdragonwk 1 year ago
@thunderdragonwk several people have commented about a sequel to this, but one has yet to surface. Does anyone remember what happended in the sequel?(if there is one).
msmithstud 1 year ago
I mean W. H. O'Brian
thunderdragonwk 1 year ago
Also I would like to see what had happened to the rest of the people at the TV Station that the Guy went to (SInce the place is empty & nobody was around, if you know what i mean.)
thunderdragonwk 1 year ago
I think the Film Reels had already killed Dr. H. O'Brian since that was his clothes on the chair near the typewritter while he was typing on it had stopped in middle on a saying something important or something & since the guy saw Dr. H O' Brian's name near the door while he was standing on the stairs. Plus the Film Reels had signed Dr. H O' Brian's name on the letter before the movie ended & also on the it had next victim's name on it & where he lives (If you noticed it)
thunderdragonwk 1 year ago
The sound effects are absolutely brilliant. What a great idea!
TheDSil 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
My name is Mike from LA Although there busizz4me.info
hanromero 1 year ago
I think when someone does a Remake Feature Film of this Old HBO Short they should make it more Scarier (Since this is kinda almost like a Horror Movie)
thunderdragonwk 1 year ago
this guy is a makeup artist. click ''John Goodwin turns Daniel Roebuck into Jonathon Brewster'' on youtube
msmithstud 1 year ago
I too remember seeing this several times as a kid, and it freaked me out! Nice to see it again.
Tenguzame99 1 year ago
Wow... I'm in my 30's now and for some reason I remember this film scaring the bejezus out of me as a child. I think it was on HBO. I didn't think I'd find mention of it on the internet, nevermind the video being on youtube. Never underestimate the power of the internet!
samplebitch 1 year ago
One of my friends has an ex that I wouldn't mind seeing this thing get a hold of...
MrOriginalfatass 1 year ago
This scared me shitless when I was a kid, but I still watched it. WTF was wrong with me?
juelzfan76 1 year ago
wasnt there another one? Cuz I remember a Limo driver going in first and he never came out and the main character went in to look for him and the Reel went after him. Am I wrong about this?
juiceman954 1 year ago
@juiceman954 people have replied a few times about a sequel to this. I never recalled seeing one, and if there is one, I wish it would be posted.
msmithstud 1 year ago
@msmithstud Thanks bro. I'm probably wrong. Its just I remember the driver going in first and he disappeared and then the passenger went in and thats when the story begins. I was a kid I probably got it mixed up
juiceman954 1 year ago
Plus the words The End should be like this "The End?" since it wrote another letter for it's next Victim at the ending of the Film. Plus I hope someone finds the Sequel to this film....Cause I would to see what happens to next Victim. if you know what I mean.
thunderdragonwk 1 year ago
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thunderdragonwk 1 year ago
plus it would be good if it had a Sequel & but this time the Victim survives & Escapes
thunderdragonwk 1 year ago
@thunderdragonwk I think it would make a great feature-length film. I think it would be hilarious. Plus, like a reviewer stated earlier, John Goodwin's character may not be dead, but on the film itself. This movie would be a riot! Could maybe have the cast from the original Tremors? Suggestions?
bodger1223 1 year ago
if it man had poured some type of Flamable chemical on it before he would've had the chance to beat it & also grabbed a Lighter or something. plus also could've used the Lighter as a last ditch Effort to Burn it before it get another Victim (like in the Ending since it was writing another letter to another Victim)
thunderdragonwk 1 year ago
Thank god for digital media. (lol)
pyrogyra72 1 year ago
Ya know, everyone seems to be under the impression that the film eats the interviewee...I always thought that it recorded him onto itself upon his mummification, thus making him a star in whatever was on it.
MrOriginalfatass 1 year ago
@MrOriginalfatass Interesting idea! Love it!
bodger1223 1 year ago
Way too cute to be scary. Just listen to the noises it makes!
ThePsychotropicFox 1 year ago
Holy crow!! I've been looking for this short film for years!!!!
TheRebel2007 1 year ago
This movie scared the crap out of me as a kid!
ditch121370 1 year ago
OMG...I remember seeing this come on HBO when i was somewhere between 8-10...it freaked me out...i loved it. It was a minor mission tofind this here on youtube..thanks.
Elvenking71 1 year ago
Was there any films shown on HBO as I remember made by George Lucas before THX 1138? I only can remember there was some shown on there unless I'm wrong
mathewbailey08 1 year ago
OMG - I was the video tape librarian at at the local PBS station for years and for our Christmas reel one year we began taping a very similar sketch about my tapes attacking me. Unfortunately our transmitter blew up on us and we had to scrap the sketch and produce an emergency pledge drive instead. I love this!
xry111 1 year ago
The tape monster! My childhood nightmare.
LoveMandyMarie 1 year ago
the guy in this had a small part in tremors 1 and is now a make-up artist. He's worked on several movies and tv shows. CSI is probably his best know work.
msmithstud 1 year ago
@msmithstud
Ben Burtt did the sound; he's all over LucasFilm productions.
thedungeondelver 1 year ago
do you or do you know if anyone has the video where the animator is creating a cartoon of a pink alien pacing then running to some cool synthesizer music. it was on hbo shorts also about 1980
Metaldog67 1 year ago
wow this brings back serious memories . . .
stnyblue 1 year ago
wow cant believe i found this on the first try. i was 7
migueluspa 1 year ago
This is an amazing find. I couldn't remember the title for the life of me and finally found it a google search. This was a big influence on my indie film-making career (hobby really). I made a highly influenced short in '85 called the Lurking, check it out: its on my you tube site, please do a search, I can't seem to post it here.
TimeAxisMedia 1 year ago
This film was one the early works by S.S. Wilson, who went on to be a co-writer of several Hollywood movies, including "Short Circuit" and "Batteries Not Included." He was also a writer and sometimes director of the movies and TV version of "Tremors."
UncleJayExplains 1 year ago
Holy schnikeys! This is STILL scary! This short film is the stuff of nightmares. I'm glad I'm not the only one who freaked out watching it as a kid. Watching it now there are some real hair-raising moments (the tape monster coming through the door for instance).
Thank you for sharing this : ]
mikepalomino 1 year ago
WOW thanks for posting this. I remember this as a kid and it was so disturbing it still haunts me. This was one of many "Shorts" between full-feature films on Showtime. I too am looking for the one about the man who wanted to become a tree. Another good one was about a planet where it rains everyday of the year except for one day. A class of kids was the scene and one kid got locked up and he missed the ONE day. Afterwards they looked at and treated him differently. It was pretty sad.
fcanha 1 year ago
Thank you so much for posting this. I had a very early memory of this nightmare (which turned into very real nightmares), but I couldn't figure out if this actually existed, or my mind just invented it.
jizzmatic2000 1 year ago
this is the best!!!!! MY FAV!
reversemonster 1 year ago
I never saw this originally, it was after my time. It CERTAINLY would have scared me very much, had I seen it as a child, and even now the whole premise and mood are unsettling. That's what I like about it. I like the cold, clinical opening as well because it sets you up expecting something else. I'd love to see more films like this
wickedfeylady 1 year ago
that was freakin tight!! i remember that when i was a kid I thought the guy was bad or sum'n thats why the tape ate him but the tape was like the blob it didnt care
jimmilansky187 1 year ago
For some reason I remember this being answering machine tape. Anyway, my favorite short that always tripped me the fuck out was the one about the wrong number where the maid kills a woman and her supposed lover on order from the husband. I was looking for that one when I came across this one.
thirty2ncountin 1 year ago
I used to watch that when I was a kid back in Chadbourn. It scared me half to death. Now that I looked at it, it doesn't seem to scare me all that much.
powerextreme83147 1 year ago
Yeah, I remember this too. It used to scare me as well, but I watched it every time it came on!! LOL!! Good to see some of this classic stuff on youtube.
TheLadyBugg8 1 year ago
Wow, I can't believe that this is posted. I remember this as a kid on HBO between movies. Thanks
Gypsman71 1 year ago
he also could of thrown the magnet in the mass of tape then lit it on fire.. if i am to killi i'd go brutal on it.
Raymond13557 1 year ago
That is so funny, I was scared shitless as a kid watching this myself... Probably around 5-6 years old. I can't believe I found this!!! Classic!
Teagle3372 1 year ago
@Teagle3372
Me too! Seems pretty tame now, but back then this scared the shit out of me when I saw it on HBO
blackadder3 1 year ago
@Teagle3372 It used to scare the hell out of me as well. I remember having a nightmare that the tape monster was coming for me! For some reason I would watch it every time it came on though.
marioTmaggot 1 year ago
he had the opportunity to escape down the stairs but chose to stare at the tape as it was coming out of the office. The funniest thing is when he calls the police.
What can the police do?
msmithstud 2 years ago
@msmithstud Agreed. He should've held on to the scissors too. Could've done some serious damage!
bodger1223 2 years ago
Well, I felt many things watching this. First I realized I will have neat new nightmares to keep me company in my sleep from now on! And yet I felt sorry for the man eating film when the magnet was hurting it..and I was still hopeful for the man to get outta there...but then went into feeling fear as it covered the guy and ate him!
winteronfire 2 years ago 4
I have been looking for this for DECADES! Thank you for posting it! Every few years I would go searching for any information I could find about it and I always came up completely dry. Now I get to watch it again! FABULOUS!
otakucode 2 years ago 4
I was looking for info on this off and on myself. I always thought it was called "The Tape". From what my mom tells me, I was 2 when I first saw this (which would be about 1979 or 1980). I had just seen Prophecy and wasn't phased by it. Then this came on and apparently scared the crap out of me! So, for childhood fears, that's killer reel to reel tape: 1, giant mutant bears: 0. I managed to catch the end of it years later but it didn't have the same effect
TuxKamen 1 year ago
Oh man, I'm so glad I found this. It must've been 25 years since I saw this on HBO. It freaked me out as a kid too. Even rewatching it now brings back some scary memories.
kwirkLA 2 years ago 3
I do remember this!! Thought the filming was so cool. Woot is selling a shirt along the same theme. Amazing!!
Buying one for my son!
cubanscan 2 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
superb!!Amazing fantasy movie. Going to watch it right away at? videoscraperplus{.}com
marcstevens552 2 years ago
the guy in this is a professional make-up artist on the show CSI.
msmithstud 2 years ago
Also has nightmares as a child after watching this on HBO. I have thought about it on and off thru the years. Great to finally see it preserved. Thanks! :)
buckpinne 2 years ago 4
I remember watching this as a child. I have been thinking about this film and where or what it was for almost 25 years. It scared the crap out of me as a kid.
Jimthere3 2 years ago 12
@Jimthere3 ME TOO!!!! I had no idea what to look for to find it, but here it is. I thought it was a production company promo that came on before a movie. this is so odd. I haven't seen it since I was about 3, and it terrified me back then. I didn't ever expect to see it again. wow
murfmeef 1 year ago
I haven't seen this in a quarter century...it both creeped me out and made me laugh
chimpstop 2 years ago
The other ones I remember were "Sometimes Joe" and one where a guy goes to a florist and searches out the perfect rare flower and then sprinkles salt on it and eats it. Bill Murray played the florist, but I can't seem to find any info on this one.
pahchay 2 years ago 2
Wow!!!!...thought I'd never find this....ahhh HBO in the 70s/80s.
PooBuS 2 years ago 2
I totally remember this on HBO in the early 80s!
Mattwav 2 years ago 2
Check out the music video called 'Video' by Jeff Lynne (of ELO). Near the end a man has a similar encounter!
bodger1223 2 years ago
Friggin Awesome
Still looking for The Chalice & Log Rider
pttttttttt 2 years ago
Ha, this is so funny
schumacherenator 2 years ago
Wow this used to freak me out as a kid!!!!
zenbyo 2 years ago 3
Me too!!
jrandjanet 2 years ago
It's so nice to see this on YouTube that I wish I could say I'd rediscovered it here... but I caught it on the Tremors 4 DVD. Love that Harryhausen shout-out at 4:52 :)
A more trivial question, but does anyone recognize the castle/mansion where KLRN TV keeps its offices? I'd guess it's somewhere near UCLA since Wilson was in film school there, but I'm curious what the actual name of it is. Does it still exist?
GlueberryGoo 2 years ago
I very, VERY rarely ever say this but... OMFG!! I have not seen this since I was seven years old!! It used to scare the crap outta me as a kid, but I LOVED IT! Thank you for posting this film!!
Does anyone remember the one about a mailman who wanted t become a tree?
CaptainBugg 2 years ago 15
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somefierce 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@CaptainBugg I can't believe I found this. I love this short, but i only remember the man getting eaten and the scissors, because i was too young to understand all that grown up dialogue, and those were the only "cool" parts. lol
somefierce 1 year ago
@CaptainBugg
I believe the film you're referencing is called Mr. Sycamore.
WindTurbine813 1 year ago
this film is quite brilliant. S.S. Wilson is a great filmmaker.
I'm surprised no has mentioned that S.S. Wilson, and one of the tape pullers for this film, Brent Maddock would eventually become screenwriting partners. They went to write both of the Short Circuit films, and all Tremors and take turns at directing some of them.
I wish I could see more of Wilson's and Maddock's work before making features. They're very creative and brilliant.
ChrisEsperProduction 2 years ago
Amen to that, Chris. I agree wholeheartedly!
bodger1223 2 years ago
at 00:47 you can see what looks like a dead body out the window
AnarkyBorat 2 years ago
beautiful
nukecat 2 years ago
"A thing by SS Wilson"... Priceless.
kwhl106 2 years ago
I remember watching this back when I was in the 2nd grade back in California in 1983. All we had was movie projectors, it wasn't till 1989 we had Tvs in schools. Thanks for posting this, I have been looking for this short forever.
Voltron1980s 2 years ago
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wickedfeylady 2 years ago
I bet DVD's can't do that!
jospehk 2 years ago
I seem to remember there was a sequel to this that involved the next victim. It may be memory fuzzing me but I can't shake that there was a second one.
juliangrimm 2 years ago
gay/.
FatGuyWithACamaroz28 2 years ago
I remember seeing this on the tremors 4 dvd before I sold it
wesome!
anothercafejava 2 years ago 2
BTW can anyone read the message clearly at 1:53
warduke 2 years ago
It looks like:
Sam, the new tape is it!
The images are so lifelike, it's uncanny.
Tell the chemistry people they've....the message ends there it appears.
bodger1223 2 years ago
The tape ate the person writing the note, looks like he didn't get a chance to finish it.
Voltron1980s 2 years ago 2
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warduke 2 years ago
Oh man this was nightmare fuel when I saw this as a kid. And it was even more scary because I thought the guy looked like my dad! I remember actually being afraid of the VCR tapes for a while after that, HAHA!
Thanks for posting a little nightmare fuel from my childhood!
warduke 2 years ago 2
Creepy, wasn't it? I got freaked out watching this long ago on HBO. When I watched it again I was also fascinated. This must've taken forever to make and John Goodwin was a good sport. Have you seen Tremors? He has a small roll in that one too!
bodger1223 2 years ago 2
Yes! I remember that creepy chatter..
tvrmx 2 years ago
Wow! Memories!
CaptainNicBlake 2 years ago 2
OMFG!!!! I HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR THIS FILM FOR AGES!!!
whew.. sorry for the ALL caps - but seriously - I remember seeing this as a kid and it freaked me out then and it stuck with me all these years. I remember digging up and re-discovering the title of this little long-forgotten gem some years ago, but it was unavailable.
Thank you for putting this up and sharing with us! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
mikepalomino 2 years ago 2
This is one the films that made me an animator. Even better than I remember. Very well directed.
OneEyeProductions 2 years ago
THANKS A BUNCH for posting this!! I haven't seen it in over 20 years!
Would you or anyone else remember other little "shorts" like this one? There was a time when local tv stations went off the air at around midnight or so, but when they began to expand their late night schedule beginning in the '70s, they would show shorts like these as "filler" between programs. I can remember waking up in the middle of the night and seeing some odd but memorable short films.
Thanks again!
barnstormer4 2 years ago
Man, i remember seeing this on both HBO and TMC in between movies, and it used to scare the life out of me, i'm putting this on my favs so i can scare my son with it!! ha ha!!
elterrible2007 2 years ago 3
I am simultaneously freaked out and excited to have found this video!! The last time I saw this was when I was like 3 or 4 years old. I too was freaked out by this video as a child. I would cry every time I heard the music start to play.
The other time HBO freaked me out was the episode of "Assignment America" where they had people talk about their alien abduction experiences and draw pictures of the aliens.
Quality programming for developing minds!
eight6sevenfive3oh9 2 years ago 2
Wow, I can't believe that I found this!! I remember being freaked out as a kid watching this. Thanks so much for posting.
bguy75 2 years ago
OMG, i had been looking for this short forever, thanks
noey718 2 years ago
Anyone remember the short about the female scientist with a time transporter device that accidentally pulls out a neanderthal boy from the past? IShe bonds with the scared child, and when the other scientists decide to send him back, she jumps in after him.
There was also another short about a school on Venus with children standing out in the rain. LOL One of my HS classmates remembered that one.
PriscillaPrentiss 2 years ago
I'VE BEEN LOOKING ALL OVER THE NET FOR THIS GEM!!!! I remember seeing this as a young boy back in 1983 or 84 on HBO and being both scared and amused by the fact that this guy got completley consumed by a pile of film.
cupboardythegoat 2 years ago 4
Nice! I just started thinking about this today and wondered if I would ever find it again. After like 6 hours I finally picked the right keywords to search and that led me to the "HBO Short Takes" on wikipedia.... Then I checked here... This really brought me back, Thanks!!
PelicanTwat 2 years ago
Also, notice in the end credits where it says, "Rerecording - Ben Burtt Jr."? Ben Burtt would later become the famous sound designer who designed all the sounds for the STAR WARS universe, the Indiana Jones movies, and most recently, Wall-E.
inasimplerhyme 3 years ago
Does any one remember the hbo short of the naked model being sketched in a studio and the 10 year old boy voyager that was peeping in on the session? I'll always remember it, it was one of the first times I saw a naked bod before. This was like 1982.
greatmovieclips 3 years ago
I do remember that! The kid was spying, and when the instructor caught him, he made him sketch the woman. That was one of the many short films HBO used to show in between full length films back in the 80's. I also remember another short about a woman scientist who brought back a young cave boy from prehistoric times to a modern day lab. She then sent herself back in time with him rather than leave him alone.
inasimplerhyme 3 years ago
Man eaten - Film at 11:00.
at90percent 3 years ago 5
When I was in high school in the 1970s I recorded a video tape like that.
I had forgotten the take up reel.
I had to record the movie, so I let it fall on the floor in a huge pile.
It rewound just fine and they used it the next day.
at90percent 3 years ago
anyone remember one with two jester looking creatures fighting?? all I remember is at one point they end up in wheel-chairs and one has a gun pointed at the other, it was really weird, kinda morbid from what I remember
owariaki 3 years ago
OMG I thought only my brother and I remembered this one!!! it used to make us laff our heads off!!! love the sick humour
Maxstrl 3 years ago
OH MY GOD! I can't believe I finally found this!
I was a bout 3 or 4 when I use to watchthis on HBO. I tried telling my wife about this a couple of weeks ago and she didn't believe me.
There is another one abot a man who accidentally kills his wife and puts her body in the funeral home he works at. At the end, he is looking at her and her hand jumps out to grab him. Has anyone seen this HBO Short Take here on YouTube!
Thanks for bringing me back to my childhood.
DALANDGO 3 years ago 2