The Story of Child's Play (1988) - Review & Retrospective

[@AGETheGawdYT]

The first Child’s Play is a genuinely great horror film.

[@BlakeGildaphish76]

i saw "Child's Play" on VHS in 1989 when i was 5 years old. It scared me, but i really enjoyed watching it and i watched it a few times before my parents to it back to the video store. About a year after seeing that, i remember being in a toy store with my dad and we walked past a big "My Buddy" display. Back then, two of the things i wanted more than anything was a Power Wheels Batmobile and a black My Buddy doll, and there was My Buddy. Black and beautiful. i asked my father, "Daddy, can i have that?" to which he replied, "i dunno, son. You don't want that thing coming to life at night and killing everybody." i never asked for My Buddy again.

[@picklikeapro6952]

Your dad was skilled at talking you out of expensive toys huh? 😂

[@BlakeGildaphish76]

@@picklikeapro6952 Probably. But in this particular case, i think it was mainly about my father not wanting to buy me a big-ass Cabbage Patch type of doll. He already hated the fact that i liked playing with my sister's Barbies.

[@picklikeapro6952]

@@BlakeGildaphish76 yea. My dad didn’t like me playing with anything that wasn’t super manly in his eyes. Lol. Got me a Nintendo one year and only got me tecmo bowl trying to get me into football and got mad when my mom bought me Mario lol.

[@Tactical_Therapist]

That is awesome 😂

[@RoddyPipersCorneas]

My toys were White and beautiful.

[@swagwolfgang]

The practical effects in this and every other movie are fucking AMAZING

[@Amber_xo_133]

Catherine Hicks (Karen) and Kevin Yagher (Chucky's creator) met on set and were married a year later. Chucky's full name, Charles Lee Ray, is derived from the names of notorious killers Charles Manson, Lee Harvey Oswald (assassin of John F. Kennedy) and James Earl Ray (assassin of Martin Luther King). In the scene where Chucky runs behind Maggie in the hallway, Chucky was actually played by Alex Vincent's younger sister. The original plot idea was to have life-like Good Guy dolls that had blood and latex skin. If the kids tore the latex skin, they could go out and buy Official Good Guy bandages. In a blood-brother pact, Andy cut his own hand and mixed his blood with Chucky's, thus causing him to come alive and become human. In an interview, Don Mancini said in the original script, Child's Play (1988) was at first a satire on toy marketing and merchandising for children, before the idea morphed into a horror film instead. Originally the studio billed Chris Sarandon as the top star over Catherine Hicks, but Sarandon requested that Hicks be top billed, since he felt she carried the picture. Catherine Hicks won the Saturn award for this film. Chucky loses his right hand in each installment from the original trilogy. Body Count: 6 The original working title for the film was "Batteries Not Included" before it became known Steven Spielberg was also making a film with the same title. It was then changed to "Blood Buddy" before settling on "Child's Play".

[@nox5870]

The Score for this film was absolutely haunting! And the guy who voiced Chucky is a Legend! I absolutely enjoy watching this film every Halloween.

[@bigkj2.027]

Absolutely

[@grantnewton4230]

Brad Dourif

[@jos-eff5305]

Brad dourif is the master behind the chucky voice he nailed it out the park hints is why he kept voicing chuck in every sequel

[@07foxmulder]

Brad Dourif is such a great actor. From this to The Exorcist 3, The X-Files, Halloween, Deadwood...everything he’s in he’s awesome.

[@07foxmulder]

bigevilworldwide1 I’ve seen them. But I never said that every movies he’s in is awesome. I said that he’s always awesome.

[@fr19ht]

@bigevilworldwide1 They weren't even that bad.

[@UltimateThanos]

Oh yeah. He was the one silver lining in the dark cloud that was Rob Zombie's Halloween.

[@ahahahaha496]

Loved him in The Graveyard Shift

[@Thurston86]

I agree! Brad Dourif is an incredibly underrated actor. He also plays a psychopathic Betazoid on Star Trek Voyager. It was a shame they killed him off after only 2 episodes because he had one of the most interesting characters on that show.

[@chonchjohnch]

Brad Dourif is a national treasure

[@gizzykatkat9687]

I love Chucky! He's part of the family! ~ Jason, Freddy, Michael, Leatherface, Pinhead.

[@DMTInfinity]

DON'T FUCK WITH THE CHUCK..! 😉✌️

[@nugget1044]

i think pinhead as one of the main horror villains is a stretch, hellraiser isn’t nearly as good or popular as saw, scream, or the new it

[@scottsspot]

@@nugget1044 I agree

[@EgdeFilms]

Absolutely amazing. If you are a one man team, I can not imagine the time it took to put together the first 5 minutes alone. Your 'doc' is better than most of the A&E behind the scenes docs, I've scene. Truly mind blowing. I'm going to watch your past videos. Really amazing work.

[@LaytonEversaul]

Matt Mitchell Thank you! I like to think I improve with each video, and I only recently started doing these types of videos, so my past content leaves a little to be desired haha.

[@GregHuffman1987]

hating your past work is all par for the course in the evolving artist/craftsman

[@stilltrill198]

Ah yes, how could I forget the doll that ruled my nightmares as a child

[@Vhlathanosh]

Chucky McStubby

[@natsohigh5552]

No horror film ever bothered me as a child, but I was completely traumatised by Michael Jacksons Thriller video 😂 It still creeps me out in adulthood.

[@davidfrederick1971]

If you ever meet voice actor Brad Dourif as a conventions. He will only signs Chucky photos : "Dont Fuck, with the Chuck!"

[@jokertdk]

Just discovered this channel. Awesome work! You truly deserve more views and more subscribers!

[@LaytonEversaul]

Thanks, John! I appreciate the feedback.

[@Streak09]

​​@@LaytonEversaul if you read up Parents was protesting to demand not for this movie to be made they was threatening MGM producers other stuff Local News reporter settled a deal with one of the MGM producers staff company they felt disturbed

[@LoepkeVisionFilms]

Awesome video man!! I'd love to see a Child's Play 2 and 3 video! Also I love the whole VHS VCR opening to your videos, very cool and creative!

[@LaytonEversaul]

Thank you!

[@WilliamHaywardPainter]

6:24 That's one of the greatest photos I've ever seen

[@Skyler2313]

I dig your informative review style. Subbed.

[@LaytonEversaul]

Thank you very much, Randy!

[@johnmarr2695]

Same. I hit that bell and sub button

[@anonymousperson2337]

Wow, wasn’t expecting this great of a video from a channel that seems to get such a small amount of attention! You deserve more views - this is well edited and has a lot of great information.

[@LaytonEversaul]

Thank you very much! I just do it for fun, honestly, but maybe someday I'll make something out of it haha

[@spencerb8635]

I just discovered your channel and I’m obsessed. Thank you for making all these fascinating videos. They are so incredibly well done and engaging and easy to watch.

[@hieithefox]

As a kid my toys being alive was my dream wanted it so bad also i loved Chucky as a kid and wanted him as my friend

[@RealBoboghost]

That was a pretty good retrospective. Been a fan of this series a long time. Definitely enjoyed the reboot and will alway be entertained by this franchise. Cant wait for Don's Tv series.

[@filmfanman2647]

Hello Layton! This is the third of your videos that I have watched, and I'm loving your content! Very insightful and Informative! I'm shocked at how low your subscriber count is. Please don't let that discourage you. Your vids are great, and you've got a new subscriber here! Keep up the great work!

[@LaytonEversaul]

Aaron Poole Thank you!! I’m definitely going to keep it up. New video coming before the end of the month...

[@filmfanman2647]

@@LaytonEversaul Awesome! I can't wait to see it!

[@FilmFanatic1980]

I really admire the way your content is structured and edited. Thank you for your creative and hard work! 😊

[@lyndjo]

I loved the third movie as a teenager because they constantly showed it on the USA network in the middle of the night. I remember staying up and watching it so many times. A true classic, even if it's not very good.

[@marcusdresback]

lmfao chucky petrified me until i was in my late teens 😂😂 I'd go to sleep watching Monk and would wake up in full panic hearing his laugh haha i started watching tv guide before bed to avoid it

[@timrob12]

35:47 - Fiona even played Charles Lee Ray in Flashback sequences in the Chucky TV series, which was amazing to see.

[@hideandpride1891]

Great job. I hope you are doing great now at home during these times of crisis. Your narration and retrospectives are always top notch for me. What's even better is that you do movies that no one remembers now. Thanks for reviewing these movies. Take care.

[@MidnightsEdgeAfterDark]

Part of the name change also had to do with "My Buddy" dolls coming out in the interim.

[@andyfischer-noaafederal4896]

Great vid all the way around... subscribing... you deserve more followers! CP came out when I was 9 so is a nostalgic movie for me and IMO a quite competent horror flick. (The scene w/ Ms. Barclay alone w Chucky--from the simplistically effective/clever batteries-falling-outta-the-box to Chucky coming alive in her hands--is a classic horror movie moment. I think the quality of Hicks' n Sarandon's performances lend a good bit to selling the movie.

[@picklikeapro6952]

I used to dream chucky would crawl into my tent when we lived at a travel park when I was a kid. Then I’d still watch it the next day 😂.

[@darreylhenderson702]

Another Amazing in depth video!! Though you mispronounced Don Mancini's name. Lol

[@AnthonyAPerez]

I love the character of Chucky 😁 His films aren’t great, but they’re still entertaining B horror for me. This first one is probably the best in the franchise for me, but there are elements of the rest of the franchise that I love more than this movie overall. I really enjoyed hearing your take on it! I just started to upload my Child’s Play series reviews myself. Great review!

[@edwinve4112]

The first 2 movies are great.

[@ksnndnfr6101]

WHAT?!? WHERE'S THE VIEWS AND LIKES?!? I thoroughly enjoyed this video and I hope it gets more attention!!

[@LaytonEversaul]

Appreciate the support!

[@joker-sh5hv]

just discovered your channel man, keep it up, it only takes one video to beat the algorithm and break through!

[@LaytonEversaul]

joker2258 Thank you! I’ll just keep doing what I’m doing.

[@knoxlisa9681]

I love how you guys review these movies.

[@beachchaos1863]

Between this, the H20 video, and Psycho II video, i cant decide which is the best. Thank you so much for these in depth videos!

[@B33FY2011]

Just discovered your channel today. Both this and your Halloween 4 video are amazing. You definitely deserve more views and subs. Would love to see a retrospective of both Nightmare on Elm Street and Texas Chainsaw Massacre.

[@cacklecough320]

Glad to have found this Channel!! Enjoying the binge!! Keep up the great work sir! Though every intro i think its going break into the Rugrat theme tune :D

[@LaytonEversaul]

CackleCough Haha Thanks!

[@retroworld8090]

This movie is a horror classic!

[@edwinve4112]

I always liked the transformation of Chucky in the first movie. Above all, the face and hair were very similar to those of Charles Lee Ray, I would like this type of detail to return.

[@zerocool5395]

I have a friend named Charles, till this day our group of friends call him "Charles Lee Ray" It's on our phones like that too lol.

[@matheusagralopes]

ur videos are dope, really into details, things only fans care don’t stop

[@juniper665]

Knowing there was a 2 and a half hour cut out there, I wanna see it so bad

[@EddyGameVlogBoy]

Everybody gangsta till you find out your Lil bro's moving Tickle Me Elmo got no batteries in it

[@KingOfNothingLR]

Chucky looks more inspired by the "Corky" doll than it does my buddy, plus same voice actor

[@gnc623]

Tom Holland is criminally undercredited in this video.

[@TheStormBolt-gf8qi]

Don Mancini!

[@MORGUE88]

Childs play was the first horror movie i ever watched. I will always love it

[@colinforsyth7828]

Hey, excellent video as usual, very informative, I am old enough to have first seen the child's play movies on vhs on rental from the video store, and then later on TV, they were really good, thanks for the great upload! 😊😎👍

[@scottybaldwin6888]

I hope you do all the movies like you've done with Halloween. Great content.

[@LaytonEversaul]

I definitely plan on it. It's just taking me a while to get around to it.

[@kingrobutar5037]

Saw your King Kong video and wow you just earn a new sub ✌🏻 much love from Puerto Rico looking foward for more videos

[@LaytonEversaul]

Thank you, Nicholas!

[@markstanton63]

I want to watch them all now

[@amityislandchum]

Don's last name is actually pronounced Man-see-nee, but otherwise, great video as always!

[@dejaalston8672]

I love Child's Play (1988). It was something new, fresh, unique, inventive, stylish, cool, edgy, hip, and updated as they took " Guys Best Friend" concept and theme to a whole another level as it was absolutely and positivity constructed perfectly from the very beginning to the end. Brad Dourif and Alex Vincent did a phenomenal and spectacular job portraying Chucky and Andy Barclay as they both put tons of emotion and depth into their roles. It was decent and to this day I still watch it. Child's Play (1988) is a true blue ultimate masterpiece in horror cinema. Tom Holland directed a classic that will be in our hearts forever. It never gets old.😍😎💯👍

[@CharliRay]

The greatest slasher to ever slash

[@wedgeantilles4712]

I was actually pleasently surprised by childs play 2. The rest of the sequels can go spit for all I care.

[@Dankehum]

Chucky is a legendary icon

[@alexl9334]

1 2 and 3 are great, the spin offs are mediocre at best. The reboot was terrible.

[@isaaqahmed7620]

The soft reboot movies, Curse and Cult, are great tho

[@kd-jj1rn]

Your reviews are very well done I quite enjoy watching these you should make more of them

[@LaytonEversaul]

Thank you! I definitely plan on keeping it up. Unfortunately, they take about a month each to make.

[@kd-jj1rn]

@@LaytonEversaul I believe it they are very well done very professional so good in fact I subscribe to your channel I was shocked that you don't have more subs with how good your videos are

[@ELEKTROSKANSEN]

Bride of Chucky is my favorite in the series, and it saddens me how people can't see its genius. All the "hurr durr Chucky isn't scary in this" nagging is just so stupid, Chucky was never scary. Even when I was 8 Chucky was too silly to be scary. I'm so happy Bride exists. I also liked the remake with Mark Hamill. It was something new.

[@amityislandchum]

Ultimately, it was a great idea to see less animatronic Chucky in this film. It allows the series to build nicely by showing more of him and his personality in sequels. Don Mancini staying with the series for its entire run, and using his original ideas that didn't end up in this film in subsequent ones (especially the toy factory in CP2), also greatly helped to make this the strongest, most consistent horror franchise.

[@Phantom096]

I may have watched part 2 and a bit of the rest. Nothing compares to the original. It had an amazing team of talented film makers behind it.

[@kristennelson3190]

Great, great work! Please do more, this was SO informative!😁🖤

[@MrBeezyb88]

Child's play 2 is my favorite sequel

[@Stumpfs]

Such a professional and well done job. Love your channel.

[@MacStatic]

The remake was actually really good. It’s up there with the original imo Great video btw. Was never aware of all the conflict in preproduction of the film. Wish the later sequels were good...

[@gnc623]

The remake, while not bad, doesn't come close to the original! At least, IMO.

[@EE-jo5pt]

gnc623 Lol you’re a complete idiot and clearly a little kid if you think the remake was really good. It was hilariously bad. It can’t touch the original.

[@gnc623]

@alexandra x I don't think the remake is bad but it's unoriginal and inferior to the first in every way possible. Even though I thought it was all right, I have no desire to watch it again, whereas the original I will watch countless times to come. In terms of the rest of the franchise, I would definitely put it toward the bottom. I think the remake is better than Cult and definitely better than Seed, but I think all the rest of the films are better than the remake.

[@benknighten2736]

The remake was dumb as hell they totally disregarded the backstory of Charles Lee Ray and turned chuckie into an obsessive little whiny doll

[@hideandpride1891]

Wait, you didn't like the second one?

[@JCM-LedZeppelin-Stories]

Your attention to detail is....scary. (pun super intended). The best retrospective i've seen!

[@Flippin-mad]

Wow your channel should have more subscribers then it does, I'll be looking forward to seeing it grow. Keep up the good work

[@LaytonEversaul]

Thanks, will do!

[@leestens5539]

The original script was entitled "Blood Buddy" not Bloody Buddy...just sayin..great job on this video Layton

[@MCLogikILL]

Recently subscribed to your channel, it's outstanding and super informative!

[@erictuxen]

Fun Fact- the $89.95 price tag for each VHS unit was a rental price and sold to retailers only because who would pay that price in the ‘80s? “Sell-through” was an alternative retail option with a more affordable price point, typically used for Disney titles and other popular titles.

[@jessicamarie4271]

You DID use the rugrats drum roll intro, didnt u..! It sounded familiar at first then when I saw your rugrats clip of angelicas mom I was sure of it. AMi right?? Btw love your content. Glad I stumbled across your page

[@LaytonEversaul]

Haha it's not the actual drumroll, but that's what inspired me!

[@amityislandchum]

OMG, that Chucky pop song! 😂 So glad they decided to omit that. It did make me think of a horror movie with an original song that is actually pretty awesome: My Bloody Valentine, "The Ballad of Harry Warden." I'd love to see you cover that film!

[@Fnukysknuk]

That guy looked familiar, please dont tell me that of all things I recognized him from Howard the duck ???

[@SayHello2Kevin]

30:27 Billy West doing his best Chucky voice 😅

[@renzocasablancalivros2147]

The score is incredible...Joe Renzetti is a genius

[@alphatrion100]

I will never forget the moment the mother finds out there are no batteries in the doll.

[@iniuram8231]

what's the music at 14:36?

[@karlan]

That was great fun. Your videos have a real professional TV feel to them. Reminds me a bit of Toys that made us, on Netflix, only you don’t get the interviews, but it’s a similar deep dive, with a sense of humour.

[@JMoviesMedia]

Layton I love this series It's awesome. I can't wait for more.

[@benamisai-kham5892]

Now see I watched toy story as a kid, I was excited of the idea of my stuffed animals being able to talk to me and wished for it because I didn't have anyone to play with

[@patrickperalta59]

YES! YES! YES! I love the Puppet Master movies thoses and the Subspecies movies are my favorites from Full Moon Videos.

[@Razorgeist]

Great video....uh what movie is this from 1:09

[@LaytonEversaul]

Thanks! It's "Demonic Toys" I believe (1992). If it helps, for the future, I credit each clip I use in the order that they appear at the end of every video (recently).

[@johncena2336]

Pinocchio‘s revenge is one of my favorite cash grabs from this lol

[@MrEOM41]

My all time favorite horror film 🎥

[@afrog2666]

Parental Guidance: "Ok, so, you just turned 5 so you can use the DVD player now, SO.. here`s Daddy`s horror collection, this is the play button, and remember, only watch alone after dark mKay?"

[@albatross4920]

22:07 any footage of that version?

[@timcirulis5273]

There's more ads in this than watching "Child's Play" on AMC.

[@w33dn0se3]

A doll called Buddy? I feel like that's why the 2019 Chucky was called a Buddi doll

[@LaytonEversaul]

Probably :/

[@shibitoobscura3348]

I would like to clarify a couple of things about the Chucky and Tiffany say during the movie series, even though I know by now most people won't believe me, probably because the truth is disappointing. I'm a Frenchman who knows a bit of creole (not necessarily Haitian creole, since I've lived in Guadeloupe and not in Haiti, but the different creoles from different French islands tend to share similarities even if they do have specifities). And I can tell that, contrary to what many English-speaking people believe, this chant is not French and is not creole either. It was actually made up by the writers of the first Child's Play movie. It is basically gibberish with some random French words added here and there (like "bois", meaning "wood", "morte", meaning "dead", or "beaucoup" meaning "a lot" in Cult of Chucky). It's meant to sound like French, but it not: it is a fictitious chant. It does have an official translation that you can find in the internet, but it's not based on something real.The only real part is the mention of Damballa, who is an actual Haitian god. The rest is entirely made up. And it's not obvisouly not Creole either. I know how Creole sounds like and it's definitely not like that, no matter what area we're talking about. Now, I know many people won't believe this, and will stubbornly cling to the belief that it's a real chant. I've seen that before. And honestly, I can understand. It's much more fun and thrilling to go on believing it's "maybe real", maybe an actual chant. But it isn't (except, like I said, the Damballa part). For us French people it is pretty obvious what the filmmakers were trying to do here (make up words that vaguely sound French), but I imagine it's not so obvious for English-speaking persons who would easily assume it is real. I hope I managed to help those who wondered what exactly the chant was, regardless what they WANT to think. And for those who wonder: in the French dub of the movies, the chant is the same (it therefore sounds like gibberish), except in Curse of Chucky, in which the translators turn the chant into actual French words ("Je prie les Dieux maléfiques de l'univers d'exaucer ma prière", etc). Voilà ! :)

[@The_finestsocialworker]

Love this! Thanks so much! 80s baby and horror lover til the end friend!! New subscriber!! I think it's poetic to have Hamil voice new Chucky. After all he was the voice of the Joker. Another insane character.

[@toedrag-release]

The childs play franchise is by far my favourite slasher/horror franchise. It's a great slasher but also doesnt take itself too seriously. It's funny when it needs to be and serious when it needs to be. The first time you hear chucky talk makes me laugh to this day

[@AlexAlex-fj1uq]

Awesome video!

[@jamiemadrox83]

Starting to feel like an Eversaul groupie but great job on your movie selection and your editing. Totally underhyped and you need more recognition for your work.

[@LaytonEversaul]

Thank you! Your support is invaluable.

[@ItWILLbeWONDERFUL_THERE]

Night Gallery had an episode called, I think, The Doll that looked like a demon possessed Baby Jane doll from the movie Whatever Happened to Baby Jane. That thing smiled and I shrieked and ran for cover. To this DAY, if I saw that movie...same reaction. Not sure if it falls under the same heading, but the commercial for Magic is terrifying. The movie isn't as scary as that single minute. Turns out the flic is a psychological thriller about a deranged ventriloquist.

[@yukiayato5122]

I never seen those behind the scenes before! 😱 Could you post them fully please?

[@LaytonEversaul]

Most of the behind the scenes footage is from the Scream Factory Blu-Ray released in 2016. I'd post them in full, but they'd likely be removed.

[@yukiayato5122]

@@LaytonEversaul oh ok I understand

[@yukiayato5122]

@@LaytonEversaul what if u post them in parts?

[@leightonbate7516]

I never knew Jessica Walter did the original voice and that a lot of Chucky footage was cut out,do you take requests for films you might do i'd ask for Event Horizon from 97 Leviathan from 89 or Prophecy from 79.

[@LaytonEversaul]

I'll more than likely be covering those at some point.

[@JohannaLeigh]

TWO doll characters that will ALWAYS scare me silly are the doll character from a Night Gallery episode, starrring Shani Wallis . The doll, itself, looks like a Baby Jane doll from the 1962(?) film Whatever Happened to Baby Jane , but it has a smile that would not let you close your eye for days after! The other doll is Fats, from Magic. The commercial for that movie was scarier than the movie, which was more psychological. Chucky, on the other hand, remains the champ of bad guys! AND actor Brad Dourif gives an even SCARIER performance in Exorcist (LEGION) .

[@Boibetterknow1983]

i watch dead meat alot and found your videos , im hooked great job @layton

[@cristiancornejo326]

Great video, Really enjoyed it.

[@jadaramirez3334]

Hey! I loved the video it’s was an awesome review! I was wondering if you could maybe give me the link to where you found the footage of brad dourif acting out the doll scenes? I’ve never seen any of that footage lol

[@leejohnstone4663]

There should have been a twist at the end of Child's Play where it's revealed Andy has a split personality and Chucky is the other personality. Charles Lee Ray never possessed the good guy doll because the voodoo magic he was taught was a load of baloney.

[@SkemeKOS]

The original movie is the best one.

[@miamimagicians]

I was going to watch Batman returns at the time or sister acts, and I snuck out of my section and watch child’s play two and the scene where Chucky kills. The teacher is one of the scariest things I’ve ever seen. I love the whole series.

[@1marilynable]

AMAZING VIDEO ! I would love to see more on other horror topics

[@notfunny.15]

Everyone else watching the video: YAY A CHUCKY VIDEO! Me: Why is there Christmas music in the background?